Tickets// THE OPENING DRAW
The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team, in the midst of one of the best starts in program history, will look to build upon its two-game winning streak as the Bearcats will hit the road for the first time in 2019 with a trip to face #23 Virginia Tech before returning home to close the week hosting Detroit Mercy. The Bearcats (2-1, 0-0 AAC), who are coming off offensive explosions in back-to-back contests, will face their first ranked foe of the season as they will face the #23 Hokies (1-2, 0-0 ACC) in Blacksburg, Va., Wednesday at 4 p.m. (live on ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN). UC will close out the week with a visit from the Titans (0-2, 0-0 SoCon) in a noon game Sunday at Gettler Stadium.
// 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 Thomas (@GinaOliverUC) also can be followed on Twitter.
// GOING LIVE • WEDNESDAY
The game at Virginia Tech will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra, which can be found on the Watch ESPN section of ESPN.com (or by clicking the Watch Link above). Andrew Allegretta will be on the call for the game with Dan Boyle providing color commentary throughout.
// GOING LIVE • SUNDAY
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 2019, 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
• Cincinnati sits 2-1 on the year, tying for its second-best start in program history
• Wednesday will mark UC's first road game of the season in which they are 4-7 all-time in such contests, but did win last year (20-9 at Gardner-Webb) to halt a four-game slide
• The Bearcats' game in Blacksburg, Va., will mark only the third time UC has played in the state of Virginia
• UC has scored 47 goals in their first three games, bettering the previous program record of 46 set in 2012
• The goal output was helped by UC scoring 22 on Marquette last week to tie the single-game record
• Against the Golden Eagles, UC also broke its single-game record for points with 34 (was 32)
• A trio of players had big career games against Marquette, including Alyssa Adams, Kate Carney and Taylor Gysin, a trio that combined for 13 goals, six assists and 19 points in total
• Adams (midfielder of the week) and Gysin (honor roll) were both recognized by the AAC for the play
• Both Monica Borzillo and Amanda Donovan are nearing milestone marks on the program's career Top 10 lists, including goals and points for Borzillo and ground balls for Donovan
// SCOUTING: #23 VIRGINIA TECH
The Hokies, who are set to play UC in their final of four home games to open the 2019 season hold a 1-2 overall record after opening with a 14-4 victory over Bucknell before falling to a pair of ranked teams: #9 James Madison (14-8) and #20 Colorado (17-6). Members of the ACC, the Hokies are led offensively by Paige Petty, who leads the team with nine points and eight goals while also adding one assist. Emma Crooks is just behind Petty with six goals and one assist while eight other players have recorded at least one goal this season. Defensively, Morgan Berman has started each game and played all by three minutes so far this season, holding a 41.4 save percentage and an 11.56 goals against average after allowing 34 goals and stopping 24 shots this year.
// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. HOKIES
The game in Blacksburg will mark the first all-time meeting between Cincinnati and Virginia Tech.
// NEW TO THE OLD DOMINION
Wednesday's game will mark just the third time in program history the Bearcats have played a game in the state of Virginia and the first since the 2012 season. That year, the Bearcats played back-to-back games in the commonwealth, opening first with a 17-11 loss at Longwood (Farmville) before bouncing back to take a 13-8 decision over Liberty (Lynchburg).
// SCOUTING: DETROIT MERCY
The Titans (as of Monday, February 18) are 0-2 on the season with road losses at Ohio State (19-5) and Marquette (22-9), both of whom Cincinnati have already played this season. Detroit Mercy will play host to Butler Tuesday before traveling to Cincinnati for Sunday's game. Through two games, both Lexie Kinmond and Kaitlyn Wandelt have each scored a team-high four goals with four other players have scored at least once in 2019. On the defensive end, Allison McDonough has played every second in both games for the Titans, holding a save percentage of 31.7 and a goals against average of 20.50 with 41 goals allowed and 19 saves made.
// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. TITANS
Cincinnati holds an all-time record of 7-3 in its series with Detroit Mercy with each team winning on its home turf in each of the last eight games, including a 12-10 victory for the Bearcats last year (3/5/18) in Cincinnati. The Bearcats are 6-0 all-time against the Titans when playing in the Queen City while Detroit Mercy holds the advantage at its home facility, 3-1.
// FLYING START
With the win over Marquette, the Bearcats are now 2-1 on the year, tying for the second-best start in program history for the second year in a row. The best came in 2009 when UC started 3-0. When looking at the first four and five games of the year historically, a win at Virginia Tech would make UC 3-1 for just the third time and second year in a row while two wins this week and a 4-1 record would tie for the best five-game start with the 2009 and 2018 teams as well.
// LIFTING THE LID: ROAD OPENER
The Bearcats are 4-7 all-time in their first road game of the season and snapped a four-game losing streak last year with their 20-9 victory at Gardner-Webb (2/16/18). Wednesday's game will also mark the third time UC's first road game will be against a nationally ranked foe (#23 Virginia Tech) after it lost openers in 2014 to #11 Notre Dame and 2015 to #13 Louisville.
// HISTORIC GAME
Last week, the Bearcats scored a 22-18 victory over visiting Marquette, leading to several historical statistics in the process including the most points recorded in a single game with 34 (was 32), tying for the most goals scored in a game with 22 and seeing the most combined goals scored in a game with 40 (was 36). On top of that, the team recorded 12 assists to posted the third-highest single game total (record is 13) as well. Individually, several players recorded career highs in various categories with a trio of sophomores (Adams, Carney and Gysin) collecting several all-time Top 10 marks as well.
// FEELING HONORED
For the second week in a row, two members of the team were honored by the American with Alyssa Adams being named the Midfielder of the Week and Taylor Gysin earning a spot on the Honor Roll. Both players earned the first conference awards of their careers following career days on the field in a 22-18 win over Marquette.
// ADAMS ADDS UP
Against the Golden Eagles, Adams scored five goals on seven shots while also collecting seven ground balls to set a trio of career-bests. Her five goals and five points surpass her previous bests of three goals and three points which she tallied twice in her career, most recently last year (April 23) against ECU. One of her goals was a free-position goal, which tied her career-best for the sixth time. In the game, Adams opened the scoring for the Bearcats as she found the back of the cage at 27:38 to stake UC to a 1-0 lead. She scored three times in the second half, including her fifth of the day with 3:51 remaining in the game to push the Bearcats to a five-goal advantage.
// GYSIN GOT GOALS
Similar to Adams, Gysin's day rewrote many of her single-game bests, including points (eight), goals (six), assists (two), shots (six) and caused turnovers (two). Her eight points rank tied for sixth in the program's single-game Top 10 while her six goals tied for the fifth-most in a contest. Gysin's first goal pushed UC to a 2-0 lead with her second snapping a 3-3 tie early on and started a run of seven in a row for the Bearcats with Gysin collecting the seventh in that streak to bring UC to a 10-3 lead. In the second half, she added her fifth at the 22:37 mark to put the Bearcats ahead by eight one again before saving her final goal for the 1:28 mark to push the Bearcats ahead by four late in the game.
// CLASSY
Adams and Gysin combined with fellow sophomore Kate Carney to have a huge day for the Bearcats against Marquette. The three scored 13 of the team's record 22 goals, recorded have of the assists (6-of-12) and tallied 19 of the team's record 34 points. Additionally, they added four ground balls, seven draw controls and two caused turnovers. Along with Gysin's all-time Top 10 single game marks in goals and points, Carney added her name to the assist ledger once again as she helped on four goals, tying for the eighth-most in a game in UC history.
// SUPER SCORING
Through three games, nine different Bearcats have scored at least two goals, combining to score 47 in total. That overall total is the most through three games in program history, surpassing the 46 scored in the opening three contests of the 2012 season and marks just the fourth time (and second in as many years) the Bearcats have scored 40+ goals in that span. The records for goals through the first four and first five games were set last year with 58 and 72, respectively, meaning UC would need 11 at VT to tie the four-game mark and 25 in total over the next two games to equal last year's five-game scoring.
// MONICA MOVING
So far this year, Monica Borzillo has scored 12 goals and added eight assists for 20 points, the most in all three categories on the team. With her assists, she has already taken over the #1 spot in the program's career assist rankings with 69 and is rapidly closing in on two other milestones as well. Currently, Borzillo has scored 93 goals in her career and seven from becoming just the third UC player to score 100 or more in program history. Additionally, her 162 career points (93g-69a) has her just seven points away from tying Laura Simanski (2009-12) for the career points record after Simanski finished with 169 points (153g-16a).
// SCOOPING CLOSER
Amanda Donovan currently has 96 ground balls in her career, tying for fifth on the program's career Top 10 list. With four more, she will become just the fifth to register 100 in her UC career while 19 total the rest of the way will push her all the way to #2 behind Meg Gulmi's school-record 177. Donovan has done it all in her three-plus years in Cincinnati as she enters this week's action ranked #8 in goals (59), #9 in assists (22), #6 in points (81), #5 in ground balls (96), #9 in draw controls (78) and #3 in caused turnovers (65).
// TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADERS • TEAM
The Bearcats enter the third week of play leading the American in two categories and ranking second or third in two others. UC's 42.0 ground balls per game average leads the league and the nation while it's 14.00 draw controls per game ranks tied for first in the AAC and tied for 18th in the nation. The Bearcats are also tied for second in the league and seventh nationally with 15.0 caused turnovers per game while ranking third in the AAC with 33.5 shots per contest.
// TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADERS • INDIVIDUAL
On an individual basis, Borzillo and Mlkvy are both currently leading the American in one category each with Borzillo's 7.00 points per game ranking first in the league and Mlkvy's 8.50 draw controls per game is tied for the lead. Additionally, both women, along with Morgan Dukes, hold national Top 25 rankings, including Borzillo in goals per game (15th at 4.50) and assists per game (22nd at 2.5), Mlkvy in draw controls per game (5th at 8.50) and both Mlkvy and Dukes tied for 23rd in ground balls per game at 4.50.
// CLUBHOUSE LEADERS
Through two weeks, several performances from individual Bearcats rank among the best in the short history of the AAC, as do several team marks. Individually, Borzillo's 11 points against Kent State are the most in a single game in AAC history and the only double-digit total while she and Kate Carney are tied with two others with four assists in a game. Borzillo's seven goals against Kent State was the top individual mark in the league until Lindsey Ronbeck (Florida) scored eight last week against Maryland. On a team level, UC holds three records, including points in a game with 34 (second is 26); goals in a game with 22 (the 19 scored against Kent State is second); and 12 assists (second is eight by ECU twice).
PREVIOUSLY NOTED
// GAME RECORDS
On a single game level, Borzillo posted four and Sam Mlkvy two marks that landed on the all-time Top 10 as well in the opening weekend. Borzillo's 11 points are the most in a single game, surpassing the 10 she recorded twice previously. Her seven goals tied for second and is one off her own record while her four assists tied her for eighth with all of those coming in the game against KSU. She also added five caused turnovers against the Golden Flashes, tying for the fifth spot all time. Mlkvy's 11 draw controls against Ohio State ranks second all-time in a single game while her 10 shots against KSU tied for the 10th.
// DEBUTANTES
Four players made their Bearcats debuts over opening weekend including a trio of freshmen and one sophomore transfer. Kylie Nause tallied her first collegiate goal in the opener with Ohio State while fellow rookies Zoe Antona and Kate Brocato also saw action, including Brocato halting three shots and allowing two goals in the second half of play against Kent State. Lauren Harrison, who played last year at Mount St. Mary's, also saw her first action with Cincinnati.
// NEW LEAGUE
This year, the Bearcats will play as members of the American Athletic Conference after playing in the BIG EAST the past 10 seasons (UC was an independent in 2008). UC will be joined by fellow full members ECU, Temple and UConn with Florida and Vanderbilt also joining to give the AAC six teams. With lacrosse moving to the AAC, every sport at UC is now a member of the same conference.
// PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATIONS
Ahead of the inaugural season, the AAC announced the results of the coaches' poll with the Bearcats selected to finish fifth. According to the coaches, the predicted finish is Florida (25 points), Vanderbilt (18), UConn (17), Temple (16), UC (9) and ECU (5). In the IWLCA Division I Preseason Poll (January 28), Florida enters the season ranked #6 nationally, the only member of the AAC in the Top 25.
// FEELING HONORED
Ahead of the season, the league coaches also voted for individual honors with three Bearcats being selected to the 2019 Preseason AAC All-Conference Team. That trio includes Monica Borzillo, who was unanimously selected to the list, Amanda Donovan and Sam Mlkvy. The honors are the first preseason awards in each players career with Borzillo (twice) and Donovan (once) previously being selected as BIG EAST All-Conference Second Team with Borzillo's honors coming in 2017 and 2018 and Donovan being selected in 2017.
// FIRST TIME AWARDS
Not only were the selections for those three players the first preseason awards of their careers, they also marked the first preseason awards earned by any Bearcats player in program history. Previously, no UC player had been named to a preseason list in the BIG EAST with Borzillo and Donovan standing as two of just five players to earn postseason accolades.
// CROWNING A CHAMP IN THE QUEEN CITY
The 2019 American Athletic Conference Lacrosse Tournament will be coming to Cincinnati in May with three games being played at the Sheakley Athletics Center on the UC campus. The Top 4 teams in the final regular season standings will play for the postseason crown and a spot in the NCAA Tournament with the AAC semifinals taking place Thursday, May 2, and the final Saturday, May 4. Game times and ticket pricing will be made available closer to the start of the tournament.
// PLAYING HOST
While the Bearcats will playing host to their first lacrosse conference tournament in 2019, the University of Cincinnati is no stranger to welcoming the American to town for a conference event as this year's event will mark the third-consecutive academic year UC has held an AAC championship event. It began in the 2016-17 academic year with the 2016 AAC Cross Country Championships being contested at Voice of America MetroPark in West Chester. One academic year later, Gettler Stadium served as the site of the 2018 AAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
// THE A.D. STAT SPREE
In her first three seasons with the Bearcats, Amanda Donovan has certainly made her mark on the program. Not only is she one of only six players to rank in the program's all-time Top 10 in the three scoring categories (goals, assists & points) and one of four in the Top 10 of the three defensive categories (ground balls, draw controls & caused turnovers), but she is the only player in UC history to be ranked in the Top 10 of all six categories. Heading into her senior campaign, Donovan currently ranks ninth in goals (55), tied for ninth in assists (21), seventh in points (76), ninth in ground balls (84), ninth in draw controls (71) and fourth in caused turnovers (59).
// GETTING DEFENSIVE
Another reason the Bearcats fared well in 2018 was the play of Giuliana Durso in goal. The then junior posted 161 saves, averaging 9.47 per contest to not only lead the BIG EAST, but also rank first in UC's single season history, tying her with Katherine Russo (2009 and 2010 seasons). Durso, who took the season victories record from Russo (7) with eight in 2018, finished the year with 12.95 goals against average and a 44.7 save percentage, the #5 and #4 marks, respectively, in single season history at UC.
// RECORD SEASON
Offensively in 2018, the team snapped eight program records and added two more on defense as well. Here is how the Bearcats fared:
• 201 Goals: The team bettered the previous record by 13 goals (188) they set one year prior and scored 200+ goals in a season for the first time in program history
• 86 Assists: UC recorded 80+ helpers for the first time ever and surpassed the previous record of 78 that was set in 2010 (the 2017 team had 70, good enough for third)
• 287 Points: The 287 points broke the previous record of 258 points (2017) by 29
• 504 Shots: Like its goal total, UC recorded 500+ shots for the first time in program history and beat out the previous mark by 37 attempts (467 in 2017)
• 371 Shots on Goal: Of those record shots, a record 371 were on frame, an improvement of 26 from last year's record total of 345
• 12 Man-Up Goals: Not only did UC reach double-digits for the first time in this category, it also doubled the previous record of 6 that was shared by the 2017, 2013 and 2012 teams
• 43 Free-Position Goals: The 43 FPG edged the 2009 team's record of 42, marking just the second time UC has converted 40+ free-position shots in a season
• 8 Game-winning Goals: The 2009 and 2013 teams held the record with seven before the 2018 team won a record eight games on the season
• 501 Ground Balls: The total also led the NCAA last year
• 187 Caused Turnovers: Not only did the 187 surpass 2017's 169 turnovers by 18, it also marked the fourth year in a row the Bearcats have bettered the previous single season record
// HELLO! MY NAME IS...
The team added nine newcomers to the roster prior to this season with eight freshmen and one sophomore transfer. The rookies include Zoe Antona (Roswell, Ga.), Kate Brocato (Baltimore, Md.), Brooke Holmstrom (Canton, Ga.), Camille Johnston (West Chester, Ohio), Isabelle LeJeune (Williamsburg, Va.), Kylie Nause (Phoenix, Md.) and Anna Platou (Naperville, Ill.). The final newcomer to the group is Lauren Harrison, who will be a sophomore this season after playing her freshman season with Mount St. Mary's before transferring to UC this fall.
// NEW TO THE CREW
The players are not the only newcomers to the program this year as Caitlin Prince has joined the Bearcats as an assistant coach. Prince, who played collegiately at Duquesne, including her first two years under then assistant coach Gina Thomas, comes to Cincinnati after serving as an assistant at her Alma Mater from 2017 to 2018. Prior to that, she served as an assistant at Robert Morris (2015-16).
// LAST GO AROUND
As with every season, several Bearcats will be suiting up for the final time in 2019 as four players are entering their senior seasons. The Class of 2019 includes Maria Collacchi (Parkton, Md.), Amanda Donovan (Ellicott City, Md.), Giuliana Durso (Mendham, N.J.) and Jayde Sains (East Islip, N.Y.). The group will be honored at Senior Day April 20 when the Bearcats play host to Vanderbilt.
// MAKING THE GRADE
Following the fall semester, the grades were tabulated and the Bearcats recorded a cumulative team grade-point average of 3.466 as 23 of the players posted at least a 3.0 GPA. To top that off, 15 players held GPAs of 3.4 or better in the semester to be named to the Dean's List while five of those players - Alyssa Adams, Monica Borzillo, Kate Brocato, Maria Collacchi and Alexandra Fess - each were named TopCats as they all posted perfect 4.0 GPAs.
// NEXT TIME
Cincinnati will return to the road next week with a pair of games in the state of Michigan. The Bearcats will meet Central Michigan in Mt. Pleasant in a 3 p.m. contest Friday, March 1, before closing the weekend Sunday in Ann Arbor with a 1 p.m. contest with the #25 Wolverines.
The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team, in the midst of one of the best starts in program history, will look to build upon its two-game winning streak as the Bearcats will hit the road for the first time in 2019 with a trip to face #23 Virginia Tech before returning home to close the week hosting Detroit Mercy. The Bearcats (2-1, 0-0 AAC), who are coming off offensive explosions in back-to-back contests, will face their first ranked foe of the season as they will face the #23 Hokies (1-2, 0-0 ACC) in Blacksburg, Va., Wednesday at 4 p.m. (live on ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN). UC will close out the week with a visit from the Titans (0-2, 0-0 SoCon) in a noon game Sunday at Gettler Stadium.
// 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 Thomas (@GinaOliverUC) also can be followed on Twitter.
// GOING LIVE • WEDNESDAY
The game at Virginia Tech will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra, which can be found on the Watch ESPN section of ESPN.com (or by clicking the Watch Link above). Andrew Allegretta will be on the call for the game with Dan Boyle providing color commentary throughout.
// GOING LIVE • SUNDAY
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 2019, 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
• Cincinnati sits 2-1 on the year, tying for its second-best start in program history
• Wednesday will mark UC's first road game of the season in which they are 4-7 all-time in such contests, but did win last year (20-9 at Gardner-Webb) to halt a four-game slide
• The Bearcats' game in Blacksburg, Va., will mark only the third time UC has played in the state of Virginia
• UC has scored 47 goals in their first three games, bettering the previous program record of 46 set in 2012
• The goal output was helped by UC scoring 22 on Marquette last week to tie the single-game record
• Against the Golden Eagles, UC also broke its single-game record for points with 34 (was 32)
• A trio of players had big career games against Marquette, including Alyssa Adams, Kate Carney and Taylor Gysin, a trio that combined for 13 goals, six assists and 19 points in total
• Adams (midfielder of the week) and Gysin (honor roll) were both recognized by the AAC for the play
• Both Monica Borzillo and Amanda Donovan are nearing milestone marks on the program's career Top 10 lists, including goals and points for Borzillo and ground balls for Donovan
// SCOUTING: #23 VIRGINIA TECH
The Hokies, who are set to play UC in their final of four home games to open the 2019 season hold a 1-2 overall record after opening with a 14-4 victory over Bucknell before falling to a pair of ranked teams: #9 James Madison (14-8) and #20 Colorado (17-6). Members of the ACC, the Hokies are led offensively by Paige Petty, who leads the team with nine points and eight goals while also adding one assist. Emma Crooks is just behind Petty with six goals and one assist while eight other players have recorded at least one goal this season. Defensively, Morgan Berman has started each game and played all by three minutes so far this season, holding a 41.4 save percentage and an 11.56 goals against average after allowing 34 goals and stopping 24 shots this year.
// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. HOKIES
The game in Blacksburg will mark the first all-time meeting between Cincinnati and Virginia Tech.
// NEW TO THE OLD DOMINION
Wednesday's game will mark just the third time in program history the Bearcats have played a game in the state of Virginia and the first since the 2012 season. That year, the Bearcats played back-to-back games in the commonwealth, opening first with a 17-11 loss at Longwood (Farmville) before bouncing back to take a 13-8 decision over Liberty (Lynchburg).
// SCOUTING: DETROIT MERCY
The Titans (as of Monday, February 18) are 0-2 on the season with road losses at Ohio State (19-5) and Marquette (22-9), both of whom Cincinnati have already played this season. Detroit Mercy will play host to Butler Tuesday before traveling to Cincinnati for Sunday's game. Through two games, both Lexie Kinmond and Kaitlyn Wandelt have each scored a team-high four goals with four other players have scored at least once in 2019. On the defensive end, Allison McDonough has played every second in both games for the Titans, holding a save percentage of 31.7 and a goals against average of 20.50 with 41 goals allowed and 19 saves made.
// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. TITANS
Cincinnati holds an all-time record of 7-3 in its series with Detroit Mercy with each team winning on its home turf in each of the last eight games, including a 12-10 victory for the Bearcats last year (3/5/18) in Cincinnati. The Bearcats are 6-0 all-time against the Titans when playing in the Queen City while Detroit Mercy holds the advantage at its home facility, 3-1.
// FLYING START
With the win over Marquette, the Bearcats are now 2-1 on the year, tying for the second-best start in program history for the second year in a row. The best came in 2009 when UC started 3-0. When looking at the first four and five games of the year historically, a win at Virginia Tech would make UC 3-1 for just the third time and second year in a row while two wins this week and a 4-1 record would tie for the best five-game start with the 2009 and 2018 teams as well.
// LIFTING THE LID: ROAD OPENER
The Bearcats are 4-7 all-time in their first road game of the season and snapped a four-game losing streak last year with their 20-9 victory at Gardner-Webb (2/16/18). Wednesday's game will also mark the third time UC's first road game will be against a nationally ranked foe (#23 Virginia Tech) after it lost openers in 2014 to #11 Notre Dame and 2015 to #13 Louisville.
// HISTORIC GAME
Last week, the Bearcats scored a 22-18 victory over visiting Marquette, leading to several historical statistics in the process including the most points recorded in a single game with 34 (was 32), tying for the most goals scored in a game with 22 and seeing the most combined goals scored in a game with 40 (was 36). On top of that, the team recorded 12 assists to posted the third-highest single game total (record is 13) as well. Individually, several players recorded career highs in various categories with a trio of sophomores (Adams, Carney and Gysin) collecting several all-time Top 10 marks as well.
// FEELING HONORED
For the second week in a row, two members of the team were honored by the American with Alyssa Adams being named the Midfielder of the Week and Taylor Gysin earning a spot on the Honor Roll. Both players earned the first conference awards of their careers following career days on the field in a 22-18 win over Marquette.
// ADAMS ADDS UP
Against the Golden Eagles, Adams scored five goals on seven shots while also collecting seven ground balls to set a trio of career-bests. Her five goals and five points surpass her previous bests of three goals and three points which she tallied twice in her career, most recently last year (April 23) against ECU. One of her goals was a free-position goal, which tied her career-best for the sixth time. In the game, Adams opened the scoring for the Bearcats as she found the back of the cage at 27:38 to stake UC to a 1-0 lead. She scored three times in the second half, including her fifth of the day with 3:51 remaining in the game to push the Bearcats to a five-goal advantage.
// GYSIN GOT GOALS
Similar to Adams, Gysin's day rewrote many of her single-game bests, including points (eight), goals (six), assists (two), shots (six) and caused turnovers (two). Her eight points rank tied for sixth in the program's single-game Top 10 while her six goals tied for the fifth-most in a contest. Gysin's first goal pushed UC to a 2-0 lead with her second snapping a 3-3 tie early on and started a run of seven in a row for the Bearcats with Gysin collecting the seventh in that streak to bring UC to a 10-3 lead. In the second half, she added her fifth at the 22:37 mark to put the Bearcats ahead by eight one again before saving her final goal for the 1:28 mark to push the Bearcats ahead by four late in the game.
// CLASSY
Adams and Gysin combined with fellow sophomore Kate Carney to have a huge day for the Bearcats against Marquette. The three scored 13 of the team's record 22 goals, recorded have of the assists (6-of-12) and tallied 19 of the team's record 34 points. Additionally, they added four ground balls, seven draw controls and two caused turnovers. Along with Gysin's all-time Top 10 single game marks in goals and points, Carney added her name to the assist ledger once again as she helped on four goals, tying for the eighth-most in a game in UC history.
// SUPER SCORING
Through three games, nine different Bearcats have scored at least two goals, combining to score 47 in total. That overall total is the most through three games in program history, surpassing the 46 scored in the opening three contests of the 2012 season and marks just the fourth time (and second in as many years) the Bearcats have scored 40+ goals in that span. The records for goals through the first four and first five games were set last year with 58 and 72, respectively, meaning UC would need 11 at VT to tie the four-game mark and 25 in total over the next two games to equal last year's five-game scoring.
// MONICA MOVING
So far this year, Monica Borzillo has scored 12 goals and added eight assists for 20 points, the most in all three categories on the team. With her assists, she has already taken over the #1 spot in the program's career assist rankings with 69 and is rapidly closing in on two other milestones as well. Currently, Borzillo has scored 93 goals in her career and seven from becoming just the third UC player to score 100 or more in program history. Additionally, her 162 career points (93g-69a) has her just seven points away from tying Laura Simanski (2009-12) for the career points record after Simanski finished with 169 points (153g-16a).
// SCOOPING CLOSER
Amanda Donovan currently has 96 ground balls in her career, tying for fifth on the program's career Top 10 list. With four more, she will become just the fifth to register 100 in her UC career while 19 total the rest of the way will push her all the way to #2 behind Meg Gulmi's school-record 177. Donovan has done it all in her three-plus years in Cincinnati as she enters this week's action ranked #8 in goals (59), #9 in assists (22), #6 in points (81), #5 in ground balls (96), #9 in draw controls (78) and #3 in caused turnovers (65).
// TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADERS • TEAM
The Bearcats enter the third week of play leading the American in two categories and ranking second or third in two others. UC's 42.0 ground balls per game average leads the league and the nation while it's 14.00 draw controls per game ranks tied for first in the AAC and tied for 18th in the nation. The Bearcats are also tied for second in the league and seventh nationally with 15.0 caused turnovers per game while ranking third in the AAC with 33.5 shots per contest.
// TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADERS • INDIVIDUAL
On an individual basis, Borzillo and Mlkvy are both currently leading the American in one category each with Borzillo's 7.00 points per game ranking first in the league and Mlkvy's 8.50 draw controls per game is tied for the lead. Additionally, both women, along with Morgan Dukes, hold national Top 25 rankings, including Borzillo in goals per game (15th at 4.50) and assists per game (22nd at 2.5), Mlkvy in draw controls per game (5th at 8.50) and both Mlkvy and Dukes tied for 23rd in ground balls per game at 4.50.
// CLUBHOUSE LEADERS
Through two weeks, several performances from individual Bearcats rank among the best in the short history of the AAC, as do several team marks. Individually, Borzillo's 11 points against Kent State are the most in a single game in AAC history and the only double-digit total while she and Kate Carney are tied with two others with four assists in a game. Borzillo's seven goals against Kent State was the top individual mark in the league until Lindsey Ronbeck (Florida) scored eight last week against Maryland. On a team level, UC holds three records, including points in a game with 34 (second is 26); goals in a game with 22 (the 19 scored against Kent State is second); and 12 assists (second is eight by ECU twice).
PREVIOUSLY NOTED
// GAME RECORDS
On a single game level, Borzillo posted four and Sam Mlkvy two marks that landed on the all-time Top 10 as well in the opening weekend. Borzillo's 11 points are the most in a single game, surpassing the 10 she recorded twice previously. Her seven goals tied for second and is one off her own record while her four assists tied her for eighth with all of those coming in the game against KSU. She also added five caused turnovers against the Golden Flashes, tying for the fifth spot all time. Mlkvy's 11 draw controls against Ohio State ranks second all-time in a single game while her 10 shots against KSU tied for the 10th.
// DEBUTANTES
Four players made their Bearcats debuts over opening weekend including a trio of freshmen and one sophomore transfer. Kylie Nause tallied her first collegiate goal in the opener with Ohio State while fellow rookies Zoe Antona and Kate Brocato also saw action, including Brocato halting three shots and allowing two goals in the second half of play against Kent State. Lauren Harrison, who played last year at Mount St. Mary's, also saw her first action with Cincinnati.
// NEW LEAGUE
This year, the Bearcats will play as members of the American Athletic Conference after playing in the BIG EAST the past 10 seasons (UC was an independent in 2008). UC will be joined by fellow full members ECU, Temple and UConn with Florida and Vanderbilt also joining to give the AAC six teams. With lacrosse moving to the AAC, every sport at UC is now a member of the same conference.
// PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATIONS
Ahead of the inaugural season, the AAC announced the results of the coaches' poll with the Bearcats selected to finish fifth. According to the coaches, the predicted finish is Florida (25 points), Vanderbilt (18), UConn (17), Temple (16), UC (9) and ECU (5). In the IWLCA Division I Preseason Poll (January 28), Florida enters the season ranked #6 nationally, the only member of the AAC in the Top 25.
// FEELING HONORED
Ahead of the season, the league coaches also voted for individual honors with three Bearcats being selected to the 2019 Preseason AAC All-Conference Team. That trio includes Monica Borzillo, who was unanimously selected to the list, Amanda Donovan and Sam Mlkvy. The honors are the first preseason awards in each players career with Borzillo (twice) and Donovan (once) previously being selected as BIG EAST All-Conference Second Team with Borzillo's honors coming in 2017 and 2018 and Donovan being selected in 2017.
// FIRST TIME AWARDS
Not only were the selections for those three players the first preseason awards of their careers, they also marked the first preseason awards earned by any Bearcats player in program history. Previously, no UC player had been named to a preseason list in the BIG EAST with Borzillo and Donovan standing as two of just five players to earn postseason accolades.
// CROWNING A CHAMP IN THE QUEEN CITY
The 2019 American Athletic Conference Lacrosse Tournament will be coming to Cincinnati in May with three games being played at the Sheakley Athletics Center on the UC campus. The Top 4 teams in the final regular season standings will play for the postseason crown and a spot in the NCAA Tournament with the AAC semifinals taking place Thursday, May 2, and the final Saturday, May 4. Game times and ticket pricing will be made available closer to the start of the tournament.
// PLAYING HOST
While the Bearcats will playing host to their first lacrosse conference tournament in 2019, the University of Cincinnati is no stranger to welcoming the American to town for a conference event as this year's event will mark the third-consecutive academic year UC has held an AAC championship event. It began in the 2016-17 academic year with the 2016 AAC Cross Country Championships being contested at Voice of America MetroPark in West Chester. One academic year later, Gettler Stadium served as the site of the 2018 AAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
// THE A.D. STAT SPREE
In her first three seasons with the Bearcats, Amanda Donovan has certainly made her mark on the program. Not only is she one of only six players to rank in the program's all-time Top 10 in the three scoring categories (goals, assists & points) and one of four in the Top 10 of the three defensive categories (ground balls, draw controls & caused turnovers), but she is the only player in UC history to be ranked in the Top 10 of all six categories. Heading into her senior campaign, Donovan currently ranks ninth in goals (55), tied for ninth in assists (21), seventh in points (76), ninth in ground balls (84), ninth in draw controls (71) and fourth in caused turnovers (59).
// GETTING DEFENSIVE
Another reason the Bearcats fared well in 2018 was the play of Giuliana Durso in goal. The then junior posted 161 saves, averaging 9.47 per contest to not only lead the BIG EAST, but also rank first in UC's single season history, tying her with Katherine Russo (2009 and 2010 seasons). Durso, who took the season victories record from Russo (7) with eight in 2018, finished the year with 12.95 goals against average and a 44.7 save percentage, the #5 and #4 marks, respectively, in single season history at UC.
// RECORD SEASON
Offensively in 2018, the team snapped eight program records and added two more on defense as well. Here is how the Bearcats fared:
• 201 Goals: The team bettered the previous record by 13 goals (188) they set one year prior and scored 200+ goals in a season for the first time in program history
• 86 Assists: UC recorded 80+ helpers for the first time ever and surpassed the previous record of 78 that was set in 2010 (the 2017 team had 70, good enough for third)
• 287 Points: The 287 points broke the previous record of 258 points (2017) by 29
• 504 Shots: Like its goal total, UC recorded 500+ shots for the first time in program history and beat out the previous mark by 37 attempts (467 in 2017)
• 371 Shots on Goal: Of those record shots, a record 371 were on frame, an improvement of 26 from last year's record total of 345
• 12 Man-Up Goals: Not only did UC reach double-digits for the first time in this category, it also doubled the previous record of 6 that was shared by the 2017, 2013 and 2012 teams
• 43 Free-Position Goals: The 43 FPG edged the 2009 team's record of 42, marking just the second time UC has converted 40+ free-position shots in a season
• 8 Game-winning Goals: The 2009 and 2013 teams held the record with seven before the 2018 team won a record eight games on the season
• 501 Ground Balls: The total also led the NCAA last year
• 187 Caused Turnovers: Not only did the 187 surpass 2017's 169 turnovers by 18, it also marked the fourth year in a row the Bearcats have bettered the previous single season record
// HELLO! MY NAME IS...
The team added nine newcomers to the roster prior to this season with eight freshmen and one sophomore transfer. The rookies include Zoe Antona (Roswell, Ga.), Kate Brocato (Baltimore, Md.), Brooke Holmstrom (Canton, Ga.), Camille Johnston (West Chester, Ohio), Isabelle LeJeune (Williamsburg, Va.), Kylie Nause (Phoenix, Md.) and Anna Platou (Naperville, Ill.). The final newcomer to the group is Lauren Harrison, who will be a sophomore this season after playing her freshman season with Mount St. Mary's before transferring to UC this fall.
// NEW TO THE CREW
The players are not the only newcomers to the program this year as Caitlin Prince has joined the Bearcats as an assistant coach. Prince, who played collegiately at Duquesne, including her first two years under then assistant coach Gina Thomas, comes to Cincinnati after serving as an assistant at her Alma Mater from 2017 to 2018. Prior to that, she served as an assistant at Robert Morris (2015-16).
// LAST GO AROUND
As with every season, several Bearcats will be suiting up for the final time in 2019 as four players are entering their senior seasons. The Class of 2019 includes Maria Collacchi (Parkton, Md.), Amanda Donovan (Ellicott City, Md.), Giuliana Durso (Mendham, N.J.) and Jayde Sains (East Islip, N.Y.). The group will be honored at Senior Day April 20 when the Bearcats play host to Vanderbilt.
// MAKING THE GRADE
Following the fall semester, the grades were tabulated and the Bearcats recorded a cumulative team grade-point average of 3.466 as 23 of the players posted at least a 3.0 GPA. To top that off, 15 players held GPAs of 3.4 or better in the semester to be named to the Dean's List while five of those players - Alyssa Adams, Monica Borzillo, Kate Brocato, Maria Collacchi and Alexandra Fess - each were named TopCats as they all posted perfect 4.0 GPAs.
// NEXT TIME
Cincinnati will return to the road next week with a pair of games in the state of Michigan. The Bearcats will meet Central Michigan in Mt. Pleasant in a 3 p.m. contest Friday, March 1, before closing the weekend Sunday in Ann Arbor with a 1 p.m. contest with the #25 Wolverines.