April 21, 2010
No. 2 Northwestern (12-1, 3-0 ALC) vs. No. 8 Vanderbilt (11-3, 4-0 ALC)
Saturday, April 24
Lakeside Field
Evanston, Ill. 7 p.m.
Streaming Video:
Audio: WNUR 89.3 FM
Gametracker:
In-game Twitter updates: @NU_SportsLIVE
Northwestern Game Notes (PDF)
Opening Draw
Northwestern looks to get back to its winning ways this Saturday, April 24, when it hosts eighth-ranked American Lacrosse Conference rival Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. at Lakeside Field. There is a lot on the line as Saturday's winner clinches the regular season ALC title and the top-overall seed in the conference tournament May 6-8 in Columbus, Ohio.
Wildcats on the Web
Fans unable to make it to Evanston for Saturday's game against Vanderbilt can still follow every Wildcat goal. The game will be streamed live at with WNUR broadcasting the game at 89.3 FM in the Evanston area and online at Sports.WNUR.org. stats will be available as well. Twitter fans can also get in-game updates by following @NU_SportsLIVE.
Weather Permitting...
With the possibility of rain and thunderstorms in the Evanston area Saturday, Wildcat fans planning on heading out to Lakeside Field should keep tuned to NUsports.com. Weather conditions will be monitored throughout the day and any possible delays will be posted as soon as they are determined both at NUsports.com and through the Wildcats' Twitter account @NU_Sports. WNUR 89.3 FM will also relay any weather-related issues for fans making their way to Evanston.
Scouting the Commodores
After beginning the season 1-3, eighth-ranked Vanderbilt has rattled off a program-best 10 consecutive victories to sit at 11-3 overall and is a perfect 4-0 in American Lacrosse Conference play. Averaging just shy of 15 goals per game, the Commodores have put together a balanced offensive attack with four players surpassing the 40-point mark, led by senior Sarah Downing's 58 (33G, 25A). Senior Carter Foote leads Vanderbilt with 35 goals on the year, followed close behind by sophomore Ally Carey's 34 and junior Katherine Denkler's 33. Carey is arguably Vandy's top all-around player, ranking first on the team in draw controls (47), ground balls (41) and caused turnovers (35) while sitting second in assists (19) and points (53). Foote ranks second on the Commodores with 23 draw controls with Downing sitting second in both ground balls (29) and caused turnovers (20). Defensively, senior Alex Mundy and junior Katherine Mitchell have combined for 45 ground balls and 31 caused turnovers. Sophomore goalkeeper Natalie Wills had been solid between the pipes for Vanderbilt, recording 130 saves on the year with a .476 save percentage and a 10.64 goals against average. Head coach Cathy Swezey is in her 13th year in Nashville with an overall record of 113-97 (.538).
Series Information
Northwestern and Vanderbilt get together for the 11th time Saturday, and the fifth time in the past three seasons, with the Wildcats holding a 7-3 edge in the all-time series. NU has won the last seven meetings against the Commodores, including a 22-10 victory in Nashville during the 2009 regular season, followed by a 15-10 decision in last year's American Lacrosse Conference semifinals. Northwestern is 3-2 all-time against Vanderbilt in Evanston, including a 14-8 victory during the 2008 regular season and a 14-3 win in the 2008 ALC championship game at Lakeside Field.
Dowd, Spencer Continue To Move Up Wildcat All-Time Charts
Seniors Katrina Dowd and Danielle Spencer continue to make up one of the most feared offensive tandems in the country while moving up the program's all-time scoring chart. The two newest members of the Northwestern 200-point club, Dowd moved past Maureen Mullen this past weekend into seventh-place all-time in Wildcat history with 220 points and currently ranks sixth all-time in goals (178) and ninth in assists (42). She has also proven to be a threat all over the field, ranking eighth in caused turnovers (53) and is on the cusp of cracking the top-10 in both ground balls and caused turnovers. Spencer enters the weekend 11th in Wildcat history in points (207), eighth in goals (169) and 11th in assists (38) as the duo also rank among the nation's leaders. Spencer has also emerged as one of the country's top draw control threats as her 155 draws are fifth all-time in program history.
For the complete weekly release, click the PDF link above.
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