March 7, 2009
2009 Northwestern Lacrosse Statistics 
Box Score
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The last time Northwestern and Georgetown got together, the Wildcats held off a late Hoya charge to escape with a 7-6 victory in 2008. This year, however, was a different story as the top-ranked `Cats' potent offense struck early and often, giving NU the 15-4 victory. Senior Hilary Bowen (Rochester, N.Y./Brighton) ignited the offense spark, tallying five goals.
After close opening halves against both Vanderbilt and North Carolina last weekend, Northwestern wasted little time asserting its authority, notching eight goals in the first five minutes. The Rochester duo of Bowen and junior Danielle Spencer (Rochester, N.Y./Brighton) each recorded hat tricks during the stretch with senior Hannah Nielsen (Adelaide, Australia/Brighton Secondary) adding a goal and an assist. After a Georgetown (3-1) goal closed the gap to 9-1, Bowen would add her fourth and fifth goals of the opening half, giving NU an 11-1 halftime advantage.
NU would remain in control for the duration of the game, continuing the deliberate, slow down attack it began midway through the opening half. Goals by freshman Shannon Smith (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon), seniors Meredith Frank (Westwood, Mass./Westwood) and Mary Kate Casey (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy) and Spencer pushed the lead to 15-1 with 8:57 to play before the Hoyas would close out the contest with three late goals.
It was another impressive outing for the Northwestern defense, holding Georgetown to just four goals on 13 shots. Senior goalkeeper Morgan Lathrop (Briarcliff, N.Y./Hackley School) continued to stake her claim as one of the top goalkeepers in the nation, allowing just two goals while making three saves.
With her five goals on the afternoon, Bowen moved into fourth-place on the all-time goals list at Northwestern, upping her career total to 191 and surpassing Aly Joseph's 187. She also improved her consecutive goal streak to 46 games, the fifth-longest streak in NCAA history. Both she and Nielsen reached another impressive milestone as the duo has notched at least one point in 50 straight games thanks to a goal and a pair of assists for the Australian, who also led the team with six draw controls.
While the Wildcats scored a big win on the field, perhaps an even bigger victory was scored off it, as the game marked the 2009 Friends of Jaclyn Brain Tumor Awareness Challenge. Proceeds from ticket sales and donations made during the game went to support the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, created to improve the lives of those afflicted with pediatric brain tumors. Jaclyn Murphy, Northwestern's inspiration since the 2005 season, spent the game on the sideline bench, helping call in plays and cheering on her adopted teammates.
After a half-dozen games on the road to start the season, the top-ranked Wildcats finally take to the turf at Lakeside Field, opening up the home schedule against Hofstra on Thursday, March 12, at 6 p.m. Northwestern then welcomes Rutgers to Evanston for a 1 p.m. showdown on Saturday, March 14. The `Cats look to improve on their NCAA-record 44 consecutive home victories, dating back to the 2004 season. Season tickets are on sale up until the home opener, costing $35 for adults, $20 for youth (18 and under) and $70 for families. Contact the Wildcat ticket office at 847-491-CATS.