May 1, 2010
No. 2 Northwestern (14-1, 4-0 ALC) vs. Florida (9-6, 1-3 ALC)
Sunday, May 2
Lakeside Field
Evanston, Ill. 1 p.m.
TV: Big Ten Network (tape delayed at 7 p.m. Monday, May 3)
Streaming Video: BigTenNetwork.com
Audio: WNUR 89.3 FM
Gametracker:
In-game Twitter updates: @NU_SportsLIVE
Northwestern Game Notes (PDF)
Opening Draw
Northwestern closes out the 2010 regular season by welcoming American Lacrosse Conference newcomer Florida to Lakeside Field for a 1 p.m. draw on Sunday, May 2. The game against the Gators marks Senior Day at the lake front as the five players that comprise the Wildcats' class of 2010 will be honored prior to the game.
Wildcats on the Web
Sunday's ALC finale against Florida will be streamed live at BigTenNetwork.com, with the Network airing the game Monday, May 3 at 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 4. WNUR will be broadcasting both games live at 89.3 FM and online at Sports.WNUR.org. live stats will be available as will in-game Twitter updates @NU_SportsLIVE.
Class of 2010 Recognized Sunday
Before Sunday's American Lacrosse Conference game against Florida, the five seniors comprising Northwestern's class of 2010 will be recognized. Attackers Katrina Dowd and Danielle Spencer, midfielder Kim Pantages and defenders Maggie Bremer and Sara Harrington have continued to add to the success of the Wildcat lacrosse program during their four years in Evanston, compiling a 79-3 record while helping Northwestern to three ALC and NCAA titles during their careers.
Scouting the Gators
Florida is 9-6 in its inaugural season of lacrosse including a 1-3 record in American Lacrosse Conference play, coming off a 12-7 loss to Vanderbilt on April 18. Ashley Bruns has led the Gator attack in 2010, setting team-bests in both goals (44) and assists (30) while ranking second in caused turnovers (12) and fourth in ground balls (16). Four other players have notched at least 20 goals for Florida, including 27 from Caroline Chesterman and 25 from Brittany Dashiell, who leads the Gators in ground balls (34), draw controls (51) and caused turnovers (15). Colby Rhea has added 23 goals for Florida with Kitty Cullen punching in 21 of her own. Jamie Reeg has been solid in the midfield for the Gators with 27 ground balls, 14 draws and 11 caused turnovers on the year, complimented by Haydon Judge's 11 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers. Goalkeeper Cara Canington has notched 95 saves on the year with a .422 save percentage and a 9.42 goals against average. Head coach Amanda O'Leary has guided the Gators to the 9-6 record after posting a 162-65 (.713) in 14 seasons at Yale.
Series Information
Sunday's game marks the first-ever meeting between Northwestern and Florida, who will get to see each other on a yearly basis now that the Gators are a member of the American Lacrosse Conference.
Home Sweet Home
Evanston remains perhaps the toughest road trip in women's lacrosse as Northwestern has posted a 71-9 (.888) record in Evanston under Kelly Amonte Hiller. They became the first team in Division I history to reach the 50-consecutive win plateau, winning 58-straight in Evanston and shattering Maryland's previous record of 41-straight from 1997-2001. 41 of those victories have come against opponents ranked in the top-20, and NU is a perfect 11-0 at Lakeside Field in NCAA tournament games.
Looking Ahead
Following the tilt against the Gators, the Wildcats will set their sights on the postseason, beginning with the ALC Championship in Columbus, Ohio, May 6-8. Northwestern has clinched the top overall seed and a first round bye and will face the winner of the #4 vs. #5 quarterfinal at 2 p.m. CT Friday, May 7. The championship game is set for 1 p.m. CT Sunday, May 8.
For the complete weekly release, click the PDF link above.
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