TicketsApril 25, 2014
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THE GAME
The University of Cincinnati women's lacrosse team caps its 2014 campaign with a visit from BIG EAST foe Georgetown on Saturday, April 26. The Hoyas visit the Sheakley Athletics Center for a 2:00 p.m. showdown. The game is the team's white out and fans are encourage to wear white.
The contest is UC's senior day. The squad has four seniors: co-captain and midfielder Kelsey Conway (Laurel, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel), defender Megan Knoop (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington), goalie Jennifer Walsh (East Setauket, N.Y./Ward Melville) and midfielder Taylor Young (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore). The seniors have helped the Bearcats to the best back-to-back seasons in terms of win total in the young history of the program, highlighted by a school-record five-game winning streak this season that led to UC receiving votes in the Brine Media Top 20 Poll for the first time ever.
THE SERIES
Cincinnati and Georgetown are meeting for the sixth time, with the Hoyas having won each of the previous five meetings. The teams have met annually since UC's inaugural BIG EAST campaign in 2009. Last season, eight-ranked GU took a 21-3 decision in Washington, D.C. Taylor Young (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore), Megan Bell (Parkton, Md./Hereford) and Courtney Curtis (Mason, Ohio/Mason) were the goal scorers for the Bearcats. The Hoyas last trip to Cincinnati saw them take a 22-4 decision at Nippert Stadium.
SCOUTING THE HOYAS
Georgetown travels to the Queen City still alive for a share of the BIG EAST regular season title, with a 5-1 mark (8-7 overall) in the league that trails Louisville by one game. The Hoyas' lone league loss came at the hands of the Cardinals, 14-13, and their six non-conference losses were all at the hands of ranked teams. Most recently, Georgetown swept the conference's Philadelphia schools, defeating Villanova, 13-2, and Temple, 13-6, last weekend at home. While they can still share the conference title with Louisville, the Hoyas are locked-in as the No. 2 seed for the BIG EAST Tournament.
Kelyn Freedman leads a quartet of Hoyas over 30 points on the season with 29 goals and seven assists, while also contributing a team-best 25 ground balls. Corinn Etchison contributes 34 points (21 goals, 13 assists), while Caroline Tarzian adds 33 points (22 goals, 11 assists) and Meghan Farrell has scored an even 30 points (23 goals, seven assists). Adrianne Devine leads the team in cause turnovers with 26 and is second in ground balls behind Freedman with 22. GU uses multiple goalies. Maddy Fisher has played a majority of games in goal, posting a 4-4 record thanks to a 9.68 goals against average and .363 save percentage, while Barb Black has a 4-2 mark with an 11.96 goals against average and .273 save percentage.
TEAM USA CONNECTION
Cincinnati head coach Gina Oliver and Georgetown head coach Ricky Fried were instrumental in leading Team USA to a gold medal at the 2013 Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup in July. Fried served as head coach of the red, white and blue, while Oliver helped lead a defensive unit that held opponents to 5.0 goals per game as Team USA went 7-0. Oliver was named player of the game in USA's 21-8 win over England that earned a spot in the finals, causing three turnovers and picking-up four ground balls. Oliver recorded 10 ground balls and caused seven turnovers in the seven games, earning her second gold medal after capturing the 2009 World Cup with Team USA.
PARKING ALERT
Fans attending the game are reminded 2014 spring commencement ceremonies at the University of Cincinnati will be taking place throughout the day in Fifth Third Arena. All parking garages, including the Corry (directly across Corry Blvd. from the Sheakley Athletics Center) and Calhoun (on Corry across from Marge Schott Stadium) Garages, will be open free of charge, however fans should keep in mind there will be additional traffic.