TicketsMarch 11, 2010
CINCINNATI - After its first week of game action of the 2010 season, the University of Cincinnati lacrosse team has several players listed in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rankings.
Sophomore goalkeeper Katherine Russo is ranked No. 2 in the country (out of 300) for saves per game (15.0 per game) and Save Percentage (0.625). Russo recorded seven saves and earned a win in goal in UC's season opener, a 10-6 win at Detroit. In UC's home opener against Duquesne, Russo set a school record with 23 saves. She was named the BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Week after her outstanding performances in these first two games of the season.
Sophomore attack Laura Simanski leads the nation in ground balls, averaging six per game. She also ranks No. 86 in goals per game (2.5). Junior Natalie Starvaggi, sophomore Rachel Mercier and junior Paige Stratton also rank in the Top 50 in ground balls. Starvaggi is ranked No. 22 with 3.5, and Mercier and Stratton both rank No. 43 with 3.0 ground balls per game. Freshman attack Katie Liberatore leads UC with seven points this season (6 G, 1 A) and is ranked No. 31 in the country with her 3.0 goals per game average.
The Bearcats will host Presbyterian at noon on Saturday, March 13 at Nippert Stadium.