Tickets// THE OPENING DRAW
The 2018 season will come to a close for the University of Cincinnati lacrosse team this weekend as the Bearcats are se to play host to the visiting Wildcats of Villanova in a noon contest Sunday at Gettler Stadium. The Bearcats (8-8, 1-7 BIG EAST) will honor their seniors ahead of the game with the Wildcats (8-7, 3-5) while looking to add to the program's record for wins in a season
// THANK YOU SENIORS!
Prior to Sunday's game, the program will recognize three individuals as part of Senior Day festivities. The trio being honored include Bridget Cleary, Lauren Hudson and Schuyler Nissen, all three of which have been with the program since their freshmen season in 2015. Overall, the Class of 2018 played a huge roll in the continued evolution of the program as this class has tallied 20 wins in their four years in Clifton, which is the most of any four-year senior class, surpassing the 19 wins by the Class of 2016. This year's seniors also had a hand in the program improving its season wins total over the final three years of their time at UC, winning four in 2016, six last year and eight this year after two wins in their rookie campaign.
// BEARCATS GRADUATE
Saturday, UC will holds its Spring Commencement Ceremonies inside Nippert Stadium with 70 student-athletes set to receive their degrees, seven of which have ties to the program. The Class of 2018 includes Bridget Cleary, Lauren Hudson, Brooke Kovinsky, Abby Lord, Alex MacAffer, Schuyler Nissen and Mackenzie Schoen. For more information on Commencement, visit UC.edu/Commencement.
// 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.
// GOING LIVE
All 10 home games on the schedule this season will be streamed live by BearcatsTV will all airing free of charge. Visit the lacrosse schedule page on GoBearcats.com and click WATCH next to the game you want to view. A link for live stats can be found on the schedule as well.
// EXPERIENCE UC
Once again in 2018, all home games will be part of the Experience UC initiative, which is geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the university. Experience UC includes complimentary admission for patrons attending women's basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming and diving and track and field home events.
// QUICK SHOTS
• UC leads the nation in ground balls per game with an average of 29.06 per contest
• Sam Mlkvy had back-to-back career games over the weekend to earn a place on the BIG EAST Honor Roll
• The game with Villanova Sunday will mark the final BIG EAST game for the Bearcats as they will play in the newly-formed American Athletic Conference next year
• UC has won 8 games this year, which breaks the single-season victory record of 7 (2009 and 2013)
• With a win Sunday, UC would clinch it's first winning record in program history and tie the record for the most home wins in a season (6 in 2013)
• The team has already broken 11 single-season team records this year and is in position to challenge for the #1 spot in two others (draw controls and free-position goals)
// SCOUTING: VILLANOVA
The Wildcats enter the final game of the in a similar position to the Bearcats as both sides are on a current two-game winning streak after the Wildcats defeated Butler (20-4) and Temple (14-13) at home last weekend. VU is led offensively by Katie Comerford, who has tallied 59 points on 30 goals and a team-high 29 assists. Ashley Lynch (23-23) and Jillian Swikart (38-6) also have tallied 40 or more points this year with the duo collecting 46 and 44, respectively. Defensively, Julia Michaels has seen the most minutes of the four keepers that have played, playing 402 minutes with 55 saves and 96 goals allowed.
// SERIES HISTORY: VILLANOVA
The Bearcats and Wildcats have met nine times previously with Villanova holding an 8-1 lead in the all-time series after having won the past eight in a row, including a 16-10 decision last year (March 26) in Philadelphia. UC picked up its lone win in the first game of the series, an 11-10 victory on March 8, 2009, in Cincinnati. The two teams opened their series with three-conescutive games that were decided by one goal, including a double-overtime 16-15 win for the host Wildcats in 2010. That last time the two teams met in Cincinnati saw the visitors take an 11-5 decision in 2016.
// MLKVY TO THE HONOR ROLL
Mlkvy sparked the Bearcats to a 2-1 week with 14 points off 10 goals and four assists, 16 ground balls and 21 draw controls to earn a spot on this week's BIG EAST Conference Honor Roll. In Saturday's win at Butler, she went off for seven goals, one assist, seven ground balls and 10 draw controls. She also had five points (2g, 3a), nine ground balls and seven draws in Monday's win over ECU. She currently has 41 points on 33 goals and eight assists this season, moving her to eighth on the single-season points ledger and ninth for goals in a season. Looking back on her last two games, Mlkvy made several adjustments to the program's single-game Top 10 lists as well. Against the Bulldogs, Mlkvy recorded the fifth-most points in a game (8), the second-most goals in a game (7), the ninth-most ground balls (7) and the third-most draw controls (10) in a game. She came back two days later against the Pirates to post the fourth-most ground balls (9) and the 10th-most draw controls (7) in a game.
// BIG EAST FINALE
Speaking of the BIG EAST, when the Bearcats play Villanova Sunday, it will mark UC's final game as a member of the conference it has called home since the 2009 season. Starting next year, the Bearcats will join the newly-formed American Athletic Conference, the same league the rest of UC's athletics team compete.
// RECORD WINS
With back-to-back wins over the weekend (14-8 at Butler & 16-7 vs. ECU at home), the Bearcats not only have won 8 games this year, but broke the program record for season wins. The win at Butler tied this year's team with the 2009 and 2013 squads that each won seven games with the win over ECU Monday breaking the tie and giving the 2018 team the record.
// BEST FINISH IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Regardless of the outcome Sunday, this year's team has locked up the best record in program history. With a win, the team will add to its single-season victories record (9) and finish over .500 (9-8) for the first time. While a loss would not be ideal, it would still lead to a record for the team as the .471 (8-9) winning percentage would still be a single-season record, surpassing the .438 win percentage by the 2013 team (7-9).
// HOME COOKING
With a win Sunday, the Bearcats would finish the year with a 6-4 record at home, which would tie the 2013 squad for the most home wins in a season after that squad went 6-2.
// LOTS OF REWRITES
The Bearcats have broken 11 season records this season and have a chance to add to that this weekend. The new additions could come in free-position goals (have 40 and the record is 42 in 2009) and draw controls (have 219 and the record is 232 in 2012). Should they break those, the Bearcats would add to the list of records set this year that include points (278), goals (193), man-up goals (12), assists (85), shots (479), shots on goal (349), ground balls (465), caused turnovers (177), scoring differential (-13), season wins (8) and win percentage (.500).
// GROUND LEVEL
Once again this week, the Bearcats are the national leader in ground balls with an average of 29.06 per game, which is 5.00 more than the next team (Liberty, 24.06 per game). UC has recorded a school-record 465 ground balls this year with one game remaining.
// GETTING STARTED
Speaking of records, senior Lauren Hudson is closing in on one of her own. Should she start the game Sunday, she will have started all 67 games in her UC career, tying her with Courtney Curtis (2013-16) for the most starts in program history. With appearances in all 66 games so far, should Hudson play Sunday, she will have appeared in all 67 games, which would tie her for the second-most in program history. Just behind her seventh place will be fellow senior Schuyler Nissen, who has appeared in 65 games to date.
// BORZILLO GETTING POINTS
Heading into the final game of her sophomore season, Monica Borzillo is closing in on the top spot in several single-season categories at UC. Already the record holder in points with 73 last year, she is 7 shy of tying her mark heading into Sunday while also trailing Laura Simanski (2009) for goals in a season by 7 (Borzillo has 40). If she adds four assists to her total this year, she will record 30, marking the second year in a row she has done so (had a record 34 last year).
// GOING TO GROUND
Three players are in the Top 10 for single-season ground balls, including Sam Mlkvy (#4 at 47), freshman Morgan Dukes (#6 at 43) and Schuyler Nissen (#9 at 39). With three more from Mlkvy, she would become just the third player in UC history to record 50 or more in a year while Nissen is one shy of becoming just the seventh player with 40 or more in a campaign (ninth time it would happen as Meg Gulmi accomplished this three times).
// GETTING SAVES
Heading into the season finale, Giuliana Durso has recorded 154 saves on the year, the third-most in single season at UC. The conference leader in saves per game with a 9.62 average, Durso is seven stops shy of breaking the season record held by Katherine Russo, who halted 161 shots in both 2009 and 2010.
// GOING TO EUROPE
This summer, the Bearcats will be going international as they will travel to both the Netherlands and Greece where they will play against some top international competition. The team is currently accepting gifts that will go toward the UC Athletics Women's Excellence Fund in support of the lacrosse program and their June trip across the pond. For more information and to give your gift, visit: http://bit.ly/CinLAXGreece.
// NEXT TIME
The game with Villanova concludes the 2018 season.
The 2018 season will come to a close for the University of Cincinnati lacrosse team this weekend as the Bearcats are se to play host to the visiting Wildcats of Villanova in a noon contest Sunday at Gettler Stadium. The Bearcats (8-8, 1-7 BIG EAST) will honor their seniors ahead of the game with the Wildcats (8-7, 3-5) while looking to add to the program's record for wins in a season
// THANK YOU SENIORS!
Prior to Sunday's game, the program will recognize three individuals as part of Senior Day festivities. The trio being honored include Bridget Cleary, Lauren Hudson and Schuyler Nissen, all three of which have been with the program since their freshmen season in 2015. Overall, the Class of 2018 played a huge roll in the continued evolution of the program as this class has tallied 20 wins in their four years in Clifton, which is the most of any four-year senior class, surpassing the 19 wins by the Class of 2016. This year's seniors also had a hand in the program improving its season wins total over the final three years of their time at UC, winning four in 2016, six last year and eight this year after two wins in their rookie campaign.
// BEARCATS GRADUATE
Saturday, UC will holds its Spring Commencement Ceremonies inside Nippert Stadium with 70 student-athletes set to receive their degrees, seven of which have ties to the program. The Class of 2018 includes Bridget Cleary, Lauren Hudson, Brooke Kovinsky, Abby Lord, Alex MacAffer, Schuyler Nissen and Mackenzie Schoen. For more information on Commencement, visit UC.edu/Commencement.
// 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.
// GOING LIVE
All 10 home games on the schedule this season will be streamed live by BearcatsTV will all airing free of charge. Visit the lacrosse schedule page on GoBearcats.com and click WATCH next to the game you want to view. A link for live stats can be found on the schedule as well.
// EXPERIENCE UC
Once again in 2018, all home games will be part of the Experience UC initiative, which is geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the university. Experience UC includes complimentary admission for patrons attending women's basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming and diving and track and field home events.
// QUICK SHOTS
• UC leads the nation in ground balls per game with an average of 29.06 per contest
• Sam Mlkvy had back-to-back career games over the weekend to earn a place on the BIG EAST Honor Roll
• The game with Villanova Sunday will mark the final BIG EAST game for the Bearcats as they will play in the newly-formed American Athletic Conference next year
• UC has won 8 games this year, which breaks the single-season victory record of 7 (2009 and 2013)
• With a win Sunday, UC would clinch it's first winning record in program history and tie the record for the most home wins in a season (6 in 2013)
• The team has already broken 11 single-season team records this year and is in position to challenge for the #1 spot in two others (draw controls and free-position goals)
// SCOUTING: VILLANOVA
The Wildcats enter the final game of the in a similar position to the Bearcats as both sides are on a current two-game winning streak after the Wildcats defeated Butler (20-4) and Temple (14-13) at home last weekend. VU is led offensively by Katie Comerford, who has tallied 59 points on 30 goals and a team-high 29 assists. Ashley Lynch (23-23) and Jillian Swikart (38-6) also have tallied 40 or more points this year with the duo collecting 46 and 44, respectively. Defensively, Julia Michaels has seen the most minutes of the four keepers that have played, playing 402 minutes with 55 saves and 96 goals allowed.
// SERIES HISTORY: VILLANOVA
The Bearcats and Wildcats have met nine times previously with Villanova holding an 8-1 lead in the all-time series after having won the past eight in a row, including a 16-10 decision last year (March 26) in Philadelphia. UC picked up its lone win in the first game of the series, an 11-10 victory on March 8, 2009, in Cincinnati. The two teams opened their series with three-conescutive games that were decided by one goal, including a double-overtime 16-15 win for the host Wildcats in 2010. That last time the two teams met in Cincinnati saw the visitors take an 11-5 decision in 2016.
// MLKVY TO THE HONOR ROLL
Mlkvy sparked the Bearcats to a 2-1 week with 14 points off 10 goals and four assists, 16 ground balls and 21 draw controls to earn a spot on this week's BIG EAST Conference Honor Roll. In Saturday's win at Butler, she went off for seven goals, one assist, seven ground balls and 10 draw controls. She also had five points (2g, 3a), nine ground balls and seven draws in Monday's win over ECU. She currently has 41 points on 33 goals and eight assists this season, moving her to eighth on the single-season points ledger and ninth for goals in a season. Looking back on her last two games, Mlkvy made several adjustments to the program's single-game Top 10 lists as well. Against the Bulldogs, Mlkvy recorded the fifth-most points in a game (8), the second-most goals in a game (7), the ninth-most ground balls (7) and the third-most draw controls (10) in a game. She came back two days later against the Pirates to post the fourth-most ground balls (9) and the 10th-most draw controls (7) in a game.
// BIG EAST FINALE
Speaking of the BIG EAST, when the Bearcats play Villanova Sunday, it will mark UC's final game as a member of the conference it has called home since the 2009 season. Starting next year, the Bearcats will join the newly-formed American Athletic Conference, the same league the rest of UC's athletics team compete.
// RECORD WINS
With back-to-back wins over the weekend (14-8 at Butler & 16-7 vs. ECU at home), the Bearcats not only have won 8 games this year, but broke the program record for season wins. The win at Butler tied this year's team with the 2009 and 2013 squads that each won seven games with the win over ECU Monday breaking the tie and giving the 2018 team the record.
// BEST FINISH IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Regardless of the outcome Sunday, this year's team has locked up the best record in program history. With a win, the team will add to its single-season victories record (9) and finish over .500 (9-8) for the first time. While a loss would not be ideal, it would still lead to a record for the team as the .471 (8-9) winning percentage would still be a single-season record, surpassing the .438 win percentage by the 2013 team (7-9).
// HOME COOKING
With a win Sunday, the Bearcats would finish the year with a 6-4 record at home, which would tie the 2013 squad for the most home wins in a season after that squad went 6-2.
// LOTS OF REWRITES
The Bearcats have broken 11 season records this season and have a chance to add to that this weekend. The new additions could come in free-position goals (have 40 and the record is 42 in 2009) and draw controls (have 219 and the record is 232 in 2012). Should they break those, the Bearcats would add to the list of records set this year that include points (278), goals (193), man-up goals (12), assists (85), shots (479), shots on goal (349), ground balls (465), caused turnovers (177), scoring differential (-13), season wins (8) and win percentage (.500).
// GROUND LEVEL
Once again this week, the Bearcats are the national leader in ground balls with an average of 29.06 per game, which is 5.00 more than the next team (Liberty, 24.06 per game). UC has recorded a school-record 465 ground balls this year with one game remaining.
// GETTING STARTED
Speaking of records, senior Lauren Hudson is closing in on one of her own. Should she start the game Sunday, she will have started all 67 games in her UC career, tying her with Courtney Curtis (2013-16) for the most starts in program history. With appearances in all 66 games so far, should Hudson play Sunday, she will have appeared in all 67 games, which would tie her for the second-most in program history. Just behind her seventh place will be fellow senior Schuyler Nissen, who has appeared in 65 games to date.
// BORZILLO GETTING POINTS
Heading into the final game of her sophomore season, Monica Borzillo is closing in on the top spot in several single-season categories at UC. Already the record holder in points with 73 last year, she is 7 shy of tying her mark heading into Sunday while also trailing Laura Simanski (2009) for goals in a season by 7 (Borzillo has 40). If she adds four assists to her total this year, she will record 30, marking the second year in a row she has done so (had a record 34 last year).
// GOING TO GROUND
Three players are in the Top 10 for single-season ground balls, including Sam Mlkvy (#4 at 47), freshman Morgan Dukes (#6 at 43) and Schuyler Nissen (#9 at 39). With three more from Mlkvy, she would become just the third player in UC history to record 50 or more in a year while Nissen is one shy of becoming just the seventh player with 40 or more in a campaign (ninth time it would happen as Meg Gulmi accomplished this three times).
// GETTING SAVES
Heading into the season finale, Giuliana Durso has recorded 154 saves on the year, the third-most in single season at UC. The conference leader in saves per game with a 9.62 average, Durso is seven stops shy of breaking the season record held by Katherine Russo, who halted 161 shots in both 2009 and 2010.
// GOING TO EUROPE
This summer, the Bearcats will be going international as they will travel to both the Netherlands and Greece where they will play against some top international competition. The team is currently accepting gifts that will go toward the UC Athletics Women's Excellence Fund in support of the lacrosse program and their June trip across the pond. For more information and to give your gift, visit: http://bit.ly/CinLAXGreece.
// NEXT TIME
The game with Villanova concludes the 2018 season.