April 1, 2009
Northwestern Lacrosse Weekly Release - April 1 
Opening Draw
Northwestern returns to Evanston to open up a three-game home stand, beginning with fourth-ranked Duke at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 3 in the Chipotle Big Game. The Wildcats then welcome California to Lakeside Field for a 1 p.m. draw on Sunday, April 5.
Wildcats on the Web
Fans unable to make it to Evanston can still follow every Wildcat goal. Live streaming video of the games against both Duke and California will be available at NUsports.com, as well as Gametracker live statistics.
Scouting the Blue Devils
Fourth-ranked Duke sits at 9-2 on the year and has won three straight, including a 13-12 victory over ninth-ranked and ACC rival Virginia on March 28. All-Americans Caroline Cryer and Carolyn Davis spearhead the Blue Devil attack which ranks second in the nation in points (269) and third in scoring offense (16.45). Cryer leads the team in points with 48 (29G, 19A) and draw controls (31), with Davis right behind at 47 while leading the squad in goals (37). Junior Lindsay Gilbride ranks second in goals with 32 and has added nine assists to crack the 40-point plateau. Senior captains Jessica McBride and Christina Germinario have anchored the defensive backfield for Duke, combining for 11 caused turnovers and 13 ground balls while holding opponents to 9.64 goals per game. Senior goalkeeper Kim Imbesi is a three-year starter in net for the Blue Devils, making 76 saves on the year with a .429 save percentage and a 10.44 goals against average. Kerstin Kimel is in her 14th season at Duke with a 189-62 (.753) record, and is 193-70 (.734) in her 15 years as a head coach.
Scouting the Golden Bears
California is 4-7 on the year after four straight defeats, and hosts Saint Mary's on Wednesday before heading to Evanston. Senior Sam Price leads the team in points with 29 (17G, 12A), complimented by junior Alex Tickner's team-high 19 goals and freshman Vail Horn's 16. Senior Elizabeth Jahp has also played a key role in the Cal attack, netting six goals and adding six assists while leading the team with 17 draw controls. The Golden Bears average 8.7 goals per game and are giving up 12.6. Senior goalkeeper Morgan Dyson has started all 11 games in net for California, making 69 saves with a .385 save percentage. Theresa Sherry is in her fourth year at the helm of the Golden Bears with a 13-16 (.448) career record.
Series Information
Northwestern and Duke get together for the seventh time Friday, with the Wildcats holding a 4-2 series advantage. NU has won the last three meetings, including a come-from-behind 15-11 victory in Durham last season behind six second half points from Hannah Nielsen. The `Cats are 2-0 against the Blue Devils in Evanston, taking a 16-3 victory in 2005 and a 17-5 win in 2007. Northwestern and California meet up for the sixth Sunday with the Wildcats winning the previous five. NU took a 16-9 victory in Berkeley in last year's season opener, thanks to six goals from Hilary Bowen. The Wildcats are 2-0 against the Golden Bears at Lakeside Field, as NU defeated Cal 18-6 in 2005 and 22-8 in 2007.
Nielsen Ties Adams For All-Time NCAA Assist Record
Hannah Nielsen is on the cusp of becoming the NCAA's all-time assist leader, as with her four helpers against Massachusetts on March 25, Nielsen tied fellow Australian Jen Adams with 178. Nielsen has cemented her claim as the sport's assist queen, as she also holds the NCAA single-game assist record with 10 against Duquesne on Feb. 17 and is tied for the single-season assist record, dishing out 69 in 2007. Nielsen burst onto the national scene her sophomore year, racking up 169 since the beginning of the 2007 season.
Wildcats Notch Program's 200th Victory
With the 22-5 victory over Massachusetts on March 25, Northwestern lacrosse hit an impressive milestone, notching the program's 200th victory and upping the Wildcats' all-time record to 200-82 (.709). Northwestern went 79-58 between the years of 1982 and 1992, and are 121-24 under head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller since the program regained varsity status in 2002.
Upcoming Wildcat Promotions
Friday's game against Duke is more than just a showdown between two NCAA Final Four teams from last season, but it also marks the Chipotle Big Game for lacrosse this season. Fans and students will have the chance to win prizes, with one student winning a quarter's worth of burritos. It will also be the Peapod Rally Towel Giveaway, with the first 250 fans through the gate receiving a free purple Northwestern lacrosse rally towel compliments of Peapod. Sunday's game against California is the Wildcat Women's Sport Weekend as well as Scout Day, as the first 100 fans will receive a free purple t-shirt compliments of the N Club, and all boy and girl scouts will get a 2009 Wildcat Scout Day patch. Fans can also participate in a postgame autograph session with the Wildcats as long as the weather cooperates.
For the complete weekly release, click on the PDF link above.