Tickets// THE OPENING DRAW
The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team will look to bounced back from a season-opening loss as the Bearcats head to the Carolinas this week for a pair of games against Big South competition. UC will open the road trip in Boiling Springs, N.C., Friday at 5 p.m. when it faces Gardner-Webb (1-0). The trip wraps Sunday at noon with the Bearcats facing Winthrop (0-0) in Rock Hill, S.C.
// FOLLOW US
GoBearcats.com is your one-stop destination for all things UC Athletics. Socially, the team can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with all using the handle GoBearcatsLAX. Head Coach Gina Oliver (@GinaOliverUC) also can be followed on Twitter.
// LIFTING THE LID - ROAD OPENERS
The Bearcats will look to snap a four-game skid in their first road contest of the season when they head to Gardner-Webb Friday afternoon. UC's last win in its first road contest of a season came in 2013 when the Bearcats traveled to Conway, S.C., and handed Coastal Carolina a 13-8 decision.
// ROAD TRIPPING - CAROLINAS
For the second year in a row, the Bearcats' second week of the season will see them travel to the Carolinas for a pair of games. Last year, after falling on the road at Ohio State in the season opener, the Bearcats traveled to Coastal Carolina (Conway, S.C.) and dropped a 19-8 decision before closing the road trip at Campbell (Buies Creek, N.C.) with a 17-16 victory.
// SCOUTING: GARDNER-WEBB
The Running' Bulldogs enter Friday's game with a 1-0 record after capturing a 21-11 victory over host Wofford Saturday afternoon. Amanda Steinmuller had the hot hand for Gardner-Webb as she tallied eight goals on 10 shots and dished two assists for a team-high 10 points. She was one of five players to score with Lindsey Lippert adding five goals to the count.
// IN THE SERIES - BEARCATS vs. RUNNIN' BULLDOGS
Cincinnati and Gardner-Webb have met just once previously with the Bearcats taking a 21-6 victory last year (3/17/17) in Cincinnati.
// SCOUTING: WINTHROP
The Eagles, who open their season Friday against ECU, posted a 9-10 overall record last year and went 7-3 at home. Winthrop's Top 5 scorers are back this year, including a trio of seniors that scored 44 or more goals each last season. That trio includes Nicole Beatson (57 goals), Katherine Judge (46) and Katie Clark (44).
// IN THE SERIES - BEARCATS vs. EAGLES
Cincinnati and Winthrop have met four times previously with the series standing tied at 2-2 as each team holds a 1-1 record on their home turf. The last time the two met, the Bearcats secured a 17-12 win in Cincinnati (3/24/17) to even the series after WU had won two in a row, including an 11-4 decision at the Eagles' home (2/26/16).
// RECAP: BEARCATS FALL TO LOUISVILLE
The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team opened its 2018 campaign Friday, dropping a 15-9 decision to Louisville at Gettler Stadium in the first of 10 home games for the Bearcats. The Cardinals (1-0) jumped out to a 10-2 lead before UC (0-1) scored four of the next five goals to trail 12-6 five minutes into the second half. It was a tale of two halves Friday as UC was in an 11-4 halftime hole, but battled back and outscored the Cardinals 5-4 in the second stanza. UC also held possession better, grabbing 11 of its 19 ground balls and forcing six turnovers in the second half. McKenna Rushford and Monica Borzillo led the scoring efforts with a pair of goals apiece. Rushford added two assists while Sam Mlkvy had a goal and an assist. Freshmen Alyssa Adams and Kate Carney scored their first career goals with Carney chipping in on an assist as well. Amanda Donovan and Amanda Fess closed out the scoring for UC.
// BORZILLO CLIMBING HIGHER
Sophomore Monica Borzillo entered her second season with Cincinnati already listed in the career Top 10 of several categories following a stellar rookie campaign. Already ranked #6 in career points and #2 in career assists, Borzillo tallied two goals against Louisville in the opener to move her career total to 41, which has her three scores shy of the all-time Top 10. The #10 position is currently held by Taylor Young (2011-14), who scored 44 times in her career.
// BY THE NUMBERS
• McKenna Rushford recorded two assists against Louisville last week. With her two helpers, she is currently tied for third in the BIG EAST through the first week of play.
• Rushford added one goal as well, giving her three points on the day and tying her for eighth in points per game average in the league.
• Amanda Donovan appears in a pair of categories as her six draw controls is fifth in the league and her two caused turnovers per game average ranks her tied for fourth.
PREVIOUSLY NOTED
// ONE LAST TIME
The 2018 season will mark the final campaign in the BIG EAST Conference for the Bearcats after it was announced in October that the American Athletic Conference will sponsor women's lacrosse beginning next year (2019). This year, ECU will field a varsity team for the first time and will join UC, UConn and Temple as the four AAC members with programs. The league will welcome in both Florida and Vanderbilt, who also are current affiliate members of the BIG EAST, to form the six-team league.
// RETURNING HONOREES
Two Bearcats return to the turf this year after securing BIG EAST honors last season. Both Monica Borzillo and Amanda Donovan were named All-BIG EAST Conference Second Team following the 2017 season to double the program's all-time conference honorees list. Previously, Courtney Curtis (2015 second team) and Kyara Bynder (2016 first team) were the only UC players that had been honored with postseason conference accolades.
// RECORD BREAKER
Borzillo earned conference recognition after she several program records during the 2016-17 season, including the single-season marks for points and assists. She finished the season with 39 goals, 34 assists and 73 total points to lead the team in all categories, and ranked fourth in the BIG EAST with 2.00 assists per game. Additionally, the freshman broke the school records for assists and points in a single game when she dished out six helpers and totaled 10 points in a conference game against Butler on April 1. Borzillo finished the season ranked among the Top 50 of the NCAA in assists (29th), assists per game (31st), points (25th), points per game (26th), shots per game (41st) and shots on goal per game (41st). She was named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week a league-leading five times and earned one spot on the honor roll this season.
// ADDING ON ABOUT AD
Donovan proved herself as the team's engine in the midfield, racking up both offensive and defensive stats for the Bearcats. She was second on the team with 33 points off 25 goals and seven assists while also ranking first in caused turnovers (28), fourth in ground balls (33) and fourth in draw controls (26). Her 1.65 caused turnovers per game were good for fourth in the BIG EAST and 53rd in the NCAA. She recorded career-high marks with five caused turnovers and three ground balls in a game against No. 20 Louisville on March 1 and scored a career-best five goals against Butler.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats will be back home for their next game as the Ohio State Buckeyes come to town on Monday, February 26, for a 5 p.m. game at Gettler Stadium. Fans are encouraged to Wear White for the contest that will also see all UC student-athletes that earned a 3.0 GPA or better during the fall semester be honored in a ceremony at halftime.
The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team will look to bounced back from a season-opening loss as the Bearcats head to the Carolinas this week for a pair of games against Big South competition. UC will open the road trip in Boiling Springs, N.C., Friday at 5 p.m. when it faces Gardner-Webb (1-0). The trip wraps Sunday at noon with the Bearcats facing Winthrop (0-0) in Rock Hill, S.C.
// FOLLOW US
GoBearcats.com is your one-stop destination for all things UC Athletics. Socially, the team can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with all using the handle GoBearcatsLAX. Head Coach Gina Oliver (@GinaOliverUC) also can be followed on Twitter.
// LIFTING THE LID - ROAD OPENERS
The Bearcats will look to snap a four-game skid in their first road contest of the season when they head to Gardner-Webb Friday afternoon. UC's last win in its first road contest of a season came in 2013 when the Bearcats traveled to Conway, S.C., and handed Coastal Carolina a 13-8 decision.
// ROAD TRIPPING - CAROLINAS
For the second year in a row, the Bearcats' second week of the season will see them travel to the Carolinas for a pair of games. Last year, after falling on the road at Ohio State in the season opener, the Bearcats traveled to Coastal Carolina (Conway, S.C.) and dropped a 19-8 decision before closing the road trip at Campbell (Buies Creek, N.C.) with a 17-16 victory.
// SCOUTING: GARDNER-WEBB
The Running' Bulldogs enter Friday's game with a 1-0 record after capturing a 21-11 victory over host Wofford Saturday afternoon. Amanda Steinmuller had the hot hand for Gardner-Webb as she tallied eight goals on 10 shots and dished two assists for a team-high 10 points. She was one of five players to score with Lindsey Lippert adding five goals to the count.
// IN THE SERIES - BEARCATS vs. RUNNIN' BULLDOGS
Cincinnati and Gardner-Webb have met just once previously with the Bearcats taking a 21-6 victory last year (3/17/17) in Cincinnati.
// SCOUTING: WINTHROP
The Eagles, who open their season Friday against ECU, posted a 9-10 overall record last year and went 7-3 at home. Winthrop's Top 5 scorers are back this year, including a trio of seniors that scored 44 or more goals each last season. That trio includes Nicole Beatson (57 goals), Katherine Judge (46) and Katie Clark (44).
// IN THE SERIES - BEARCATS vs. EAGLES
Cincinnati and Winthrop have met four times previously with the series standing tied at 2-2 as each team holds a 1-1 record on their home turf. The last time the two met, the Bearcats secured a 17-12 win in Cincinnati (3/24/17) to even the series after WU had won two in a row, including an 11-4 decision at the Eagles' home (2/26/16).
// RECAP: BEARCATS FALL TO LOUISVILLE
The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team opened its 2018 campaign Friday, dropping a 15-9 decision to Louisville at Gettler Stadium in the first of 10 home games for the Bearcats. The Cardinals (1-0) jumped out to a 10-2 lead before UC (0-1) scored four of the next five goals to trail 12-6 five minutes into the second half. It was a tale of two halves Friday as UC was in an 11-4 halftime hole, but battled back and outscored the Cardinals 5-4 in the second stanza. UC also held possession better, grabbing 11 of its 19 ground balls and forcing six turnovers in the second half. McKenna Rushford and Monica Borzillo led the scoring efforts with a pair of goals apiece. Rushford added two assists while Sam Mlkvy had a goal and an assist. Freshmen Alyssa Adams and Kate Carney scored their first career goals with Carney chipping in on an assist as well. Amanda Donovan and Amanda Fess closed out the scoring for UC.
// BORZILLO CLIMBING HIGHER
Sophomore Monica Borzillo entered her second season with Cincinnati already listed in the career Top 10 of several categories following a stellar rookie campaign. Already ranked #6 in career points and #2 in career assists, Borzillo tallied two goals against Louisville in the opener to move her career total to 41, which has her three scores shy of the all-time Top 10. The #10 position is currently held by Taylor Young (2011-14), who scored 44 times in her career.
// BY THE NUMBERS
• McKenna Rushford recorded two assists against Louisville last week. With her two helpers, she is currently tied for third in the BIG EAST through the first week of play.
• Rushford added one goal as well, giving her three points on the day and tying her for eighth in points per game average in the league.
• Amanda Donovan appears in a pair of categories as her six draw controls is fifth in the league and her two caused turnovers per game average ranks her tied for fourth.
PREVIOUSLY NOTED
// ONE LAST TIME
The 2018 season will mark the final campaign in the BIG EAST Conference for the Bearcats after it was announced in October that the American Athletic Conference will sponsor women's lacrosse beginning next year (2019). This year, ECU will field a varsity team for the first time and will join UC, UConn and Temple as the four AAC members with programs. The league will welcome in both Florida and Vanderbilt, who also are current affiliate members of the BIG EAST, to form the six-team league.
// RETURNING HONOREES
Two Bearcats return to the turf this year after securing BIG EAST honors last season. Both Monica Borzillo and Amanda Donovan were named All-BIG EAST Conference Second Team following the 2017 season to double the program's all-time conference honorees list. Previously, Courtney Curtis (2015 second team) and Kyara Bynder (2016 first team) were the only UC players that had been honored with postseason conference accolades.
// RECORD BREAKER
Borzillo earned conference recognition after she several program records during the 2016-17 season, including the single-season marks for points and assists. She finished the season with 39 goals, 34 assists and 73 total points to lead the team in all categories, and ranked fourth in the BIG EAST with 2.00 assists per game. Additionally, the freshman broke the school records for assists and points in a single game when she dished out six helpers and totaled 10 points in a conference game against Butler on April 1. Borzillo finished the season ranked among the Top 50 of the NCAA in assists (29th), assists per game (31st), points (25th), points per game (26th), shots per game (41st) and shots on goal per game (41st). She was named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week a league-leading five times and earned one spot on the honor roll this season.
// ADDING ON ABOUT AD
Donovan proved herself as the team's engine in the midfield, racking up both offensive and defensive stats for the Bearcats. She was second on the team with 33 points off 25 goals and seven assists while also ranking first in caused turnovers (28), fourth in ground balls (33) and fourth in draw controls (26). Her 1.65 caused turnovers per game were good for fourth in the BIG EAST and 53rd in the NCAA. She recorded career-high marks with five caused turnovers and three ground balls in a game against No. 20 Louisville on March 1 and scored a career-best five goals against Butler.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats will be back home for their next game as the Ohio State Buckeyes come to town on Monday, February 26, for a 5 p.m. game at Gettler Stadium. Fans are encouraged to Wear White for the contest that will also see all UC student-athletes that earned a 3.0 GPA or better during the fall semester be honored in a ceremony at halftime.