Tickets// THE OPENING DRAW
Following 10 days off from competition, the University of Cincinnati lacrosse team returns to action Thursday morning as the Bearcats will venture south to face Louisville in an 11 a.m. game at the UofL Lacrosse Stadium in Louisville, Ky. The Bearcats (3-4) are looking to rebound off a pair of road losses the last time out while the Cardinals (3-6) will look to build upon a road victory Tuesday at Duquesne.
// CHANGE OF PLANS
The game at Louisville was originally slated to be played Wednesday when the 2019 schedule was announced. The game was shifted one day as Louisville's game with Duke was pushed to Sunday, causing a domino effect that saw UL's Monday game at Duquesne pushed to Tuesday.
// 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
Thursday's game will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra, part of the ESPN web streaming service. Live stats will also be made available on Louisville's website, GoCards.com.
// QUICK SHOTS
• Cincinnati dropped both of its road games the last time out, falling at Central Michigan (12-11, OT) and at #20 Michigan (19-9)
• The overtime loss to CMU saw UC fall to 3-6 all-time in OT contests and 10-13 in one-goal games
• Kylie Nause had a big weekend for the Bearcats, scoring seven goals in two games after entering with just two total goals in her first five collegiate contests
• For her efforts, Nause was named the AAC Freshman of the Week, the first rookie award earned by a UC player this year and just the second player to do so in program history (Borzillo 5x in the Big East)
• Borzillo tallied six assists in the loss at Michigan, tying her own UC record for helpers in a game while also setting the AAC single game record
• Borzillo continues to be highly ranked in the national statistics, including fourth in points per game, seventh in assists per game and 20th in goals per game
• In the CMU game, Jennie Finotti and Ali Mazzola each tallied career-bests as Finotti tallied her first assist and first point of the year and Mazzola scored twice for two points
• Jayde Sains also had a strong game at CMU as she recorded her first hat trick at UC before collecting a career-best four draw controls at Michigan
• Alexandra Fess had a strong showing defensively against the Wolverines as she recorded a career-high five caused turnovers and tied her career-high with five ground balls
// SCOUTING: LOUISVILLE
The Cardinals enter the game with a 3-6 record following a 23-13 win at Duquesne Tuesday afternoon and are 0-2 in the ACC in the early going following losses at #19 Notre Dame and home to #15 Duke. Tessa Chad leads the way offensively as she has scored 31 points on 28 goals and three assists, including nine goals in Tuesday's win over the Dukes. Four other players have scored double-digit goals for the Cardinals so far this year, including Caroline Blalock (14), Alex McNichols (14), Shayla Scanlan (13) and Ally Hall (10). Defensively, Rachel Florek has started all but one game in goal this year, holding a 10.95 goals against average and 43.0 save percentage as she has allowed 69 goals and saved 52 shots.
// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. CARDINALS
Cincinnati is still in search of its first win in the all-time series as Louisville holds an 11-0 record with a 5-0 record in Louisville. Last year, the Cardinals left Cincinnati with a 15-9 victory (2/9/18). The last time the two teams met at UofL, the then #20 Cardinals won, 14-8 (3/1/17).
// QUICK RECAP: ROUGH ROAD
• Cincinnati dropped both of its road games the last time out, falling in overtime at Central Michigan (11-12) and at #20 Michigan (19-9)
• Against CMU, Kyle Nause and Jayde Sains recorded hat tricks, their first at UC, while Ali Mazzola added a career-high two goals
• Against the Wolverines, Nause added four goals with Alyssa Adams adding two and Monica Borzillo handing out six assists
// WORKING OVERTIME
The loss at CMU was just the ninth overtime game the Bearcats have been involved in program history with UC now sitting at 3-6 in those games. UC has now dropped back-to-back OT contests after falling at Temple, 9-8, in double overtime last year. UC had won the previous two games, including an 11-10 win over Stetson in 2015 and a 10-9, triple OT decision at Winthrop in 2014.
// CLOSE CALLS
Including the game at CMU, the Bearcats are now 10-13 all-time in games decided by one goal and have lost their last two instances, including the double overtime loss at Temple last year. Since Coach Thomas took over the program in 2013, UC is 8-8 in one-goal games.
// QUICK SCORES
In the Michigan game, Nause scored the first goal of the game just 40 seconds into the contest, a goal that ties for the 10th-fastest scored to open a game in program history and the third this year at or under 40 seconds scored by the Bearcats. Previously, Monica Borzillo scored 20 seconds into the game at #23 Virginia Tech for the third-fastest goal in UC history before Alyssa Adams scored at 39 seconds against Detroit Mercy for the seventh-fastest (tied) in program history.
// BIG OUTPUT
Heading into the trip through Michigan, Nause, a freshman, had two goals to her credit in her first have collegiate games before breaking out in a big way. First, at CMU, she netted her first career hat trick while also scoring her first career free-po goal. Then, at #20 Michigan, she followed that performance with another career-high as she scored four goals for the Bearcats, including one just 40 seconds into the game. Nause now has nine goals on the year, placing her fifth on the team.
// FEELING HONORED
Following the weekend, Nause was named the AAC Freshman of the Week, earning her first career award from the league and the first rookie honor for UC in its new conference. In fact, Nause is now just the second Bearcats player to ever be named as the freshman of the week in a conference after Borzillo was selected five times in 2017 when UC played in the Big East.
// RUNNING TOTAL
The Bearcats are no strangers to weekly accolades from the American as Nause's award last week marks the fourth in a row at least one member of the team earned an honor. Monica Borzillo (attacker) and Sam Mlkvy (Honor Roll) received recognition in Week 1 before Alyssa Adams (midfielder) and Taylor Gysin (HR) were honored the following week. UC did not win any awards this past week as they did not have games played in which to nominate from.
// LOTS OF HELPING
In the Michigan game, Borzillo dished out six assists, tying her career high and program single-game record that she had set twice before with both games coming in her freshman season of 2017. Along with those records, her six assists now also rank as the single-game record in the American Athletic Conference, her second such record after setting the single-game points record earlier this year against Kent State with 11.
// TRY THIS HAT ON FOR SIZE
Through seven games this season, Bearcats players have recorded a hat trick (three goals) or better in a game 16 times. That total already ranks highly in program history as it is the sixth-best total in a season with the team averaging 2.3 players per game recording a hat trick in 2019. The Bearcats are just four hat tricks away from becoming the fourth team to record 20 or more in a season, which was first done in 2009 (21) before the 2017 (24) and 2018 (20) squads joined the list.
// HAPPY HATTERS
On an individual basis, Borzillo's 17 hat tricks ranks second in program history behind on Laura Simanski (2009-12), who had 30 for the new program, while Sam Mlkvy has 13 to her credit, which ranks her fourth all-time. To reach the Top 10, a player needs to record six hat tricks in her career with both Amanda Donovan and Taylor Gysin closing in on that mark as both have five to their names so far.
// FIRST HAT TRICK
While Nause recorded her first two collegiate hat tricks in the past two games, Jayde Sains accomplished the feat for the first time wearing a Bearcats uniform as she tallied three goals against Central Michigan. Previously, Sains had recorded one hat trick in her career and that came in her freshman season of 2016 when she scored three goals against Howard while playing for LIU Brooklyn before transferring to Cincinnati.
// TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER!
Through seven games, Monica Borzillo continues to be among the top scorers in the league and ranks highly nationally as well. Borzillo, who has tallied 42 points on 23 goals and 19 assists, ranks first in the AAC in both points per game (6.00) and assists per game (2.71) while sitting second in goals per game (3.29). On a national level, she ranks fourth in the NCAA in points per game and is seventh in assists per game while ranking 20th overall in goals per game.
// GETTING GOALS
Last year, the Bearcats scored 201 goals to break a single-season record and become the first UC team to score 200 or more in a single campaign. This year, it doesn't appear the offense is letting off the gas as the team is averaging 13.29 goals per game in 2019 and have scored 18 or more goals in a game three times. To put that in context, the team entered the season having scored 18 or more goals in a game just seven times in the previous 11 seasons.
PREVIOUSLY NOTED
// HISTORIC GAME
Previously, 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.
// 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.
// 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.
// 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 AD 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
The Bearcats will return home for the first time in nearly one month as they will host to a pair of games at Getter Stadium. First, UC will welcome San Diego State to town for a 5 p.m. game on Friday, March 22. Then, the Bearcats will close out the weekend with the team's annual Pink Game as Gardner-Webb comes to town for a noon game Sunday, March 24.
Following 10 days off from competition, the University of Cincinnati lacrosse team returns to action Thursday morning as the Bearcats will venture south to face Louisville in an 11 a.m. game at the UofL Lacrosse Stadium in Louisville, Ky. The Bearcats (3-4) are looking to rebound off a pair of road losses the last time out while the Cardinals (3-6) will look to build upon a road victory Tuesday at Duquesne.
// CHANGE OF PLANS
The game at Louisville was originally slated to be played Wednesday when the 2019 schedule was announced. The game was shifted one day as Louisville's game with Duke was pushed to Sunday, causing a domino effect that saw UL's Monday game at Duquesne pushed to Tuesday.
// 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
Thursday's game will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra, part of the ESPN web streaming service. Live stats will also be made available on Louisville's website, GoCards.com.
// QUICK SHOTS
• Cincinnati dropped both of its road games the last time out, falling at Central Michigan (12-11, OT) and at #20 Michigan (19-9)
• The overtime loss to CMU saw UC fall to 3-6 all-time in OT contests and 10-13 in one-goal games
• Kylie Nause had a big weekend for the Bearcats, scoring seven goals in two games after entering with just two total goals in her first five collegiate contests
• For her efforts, Nause was named the AAC Freshman of the Week, the first rookie award earned by a UC player this year and just the second player to do so in program history (Borzillo 5x in the Big East)
• Borzillo tallied six assists in the loss at Michigan, tying her own UC record for helpers in a game while also setting the AAC single game record
• Borzillo continues to be highly ranked in the national statistics, including fourth in points per game, seventh in assists per game and 20th in goals per game
• In the CMU game, Jennie Finotti and Ali Mazzola each tallied career-bests as Finotti tallied her first assist and first point of the year and Mazzola scored twice for two points
• Jayde Sains also had a strong game at CMU as she recorded her first hat trick at UC before collecting a career-best four draw controls at Michigan
• Alexandra Fess had a strong showing defensively against the Wolverines as she recorded a career-high five caused turnovers and tied her career-high with five ground balls
// SCOUTING: LOUISVILLE
The Cardinals enter the game with a 3-6 record following a 23-13 win at Duquesne Tuesday afternoon and are 0-2 in the ACC in the early going following losses at #19 Notre Dame and home to #15 Duke. Tessa Chad leads the way offensively as she has scored 31 points on 28 goals and three assists, including nine goals in Tuesday's win over the Dukes. Four other players have scored double-digit goals for the Cardinals so far this year, including Caroline Blalock (14), Alex McNichols (14), Shayla Scanlan (13) and Ally Hall (10). Defensively, Rachel Florek has started all but one game in goal this year, holding a 10.95 goals against average and 43.0 save percentage as she has allowed 69 goals and saved 52 shots.
// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. CARDINALS
Cincinnati is still in search of its first win in the all-time series as Louisville holds an 11-0 record with a 5-0 record in Louisville. Last year, the Cardinals left Cincinnati with a 15-9 victory (2/9/18). The last time the two teams met at UofL, the then #20 Cardinals won, 14-8 (3/1/17).
// QUICK RECAP: ROUGH ROAD
• Cincinnati dropped both of its road games the last time out, falling in overtime at Central Michigan (11-12) and at #20 Michigan (19-9)
• Against CMU, Kyle Nause and Jayde Sains recorded hat tricks, their first at UC, while Ali Mazzola added a career-high two goals
• Against the Wolverines, Nause added four goals with Alyssa Adams adding two and Monica Borzillo handing out six assists
// WORKING OVERTIME
The loss at CMU was just the ninth overtime game the Bearcats have been involved in program history with UC now sitting at 3-6 in those games. UC has now dropped back-to-back OT contests after falling at Temple, 9-8, in double overtime last year. UC had won the previous two games, including an 11-10 win over Stetson in 2015 and a 10-9, triple OT decision at Winthrop in 2014.
// CLOSE CALLS
Including the game at CMU, the Bearcats are now 10-13 all-time in games decided by one goal and have lost their last two instances, including the double overtime loss at Temple last year. Since Coach Thomas took over the program in 2013, UC is 8-8 in one-goal games.
// QUICK SCORES
In the Michigan game, Nause scored the first goal of the game just 40 seconds into the contest, a goal that ties for the 10th-fastest scored to open a game in program history and the third this year at or under 40 seconds scored by the Bearcats. Previously, Monica Borzillo scored 20 seconds into the game at #23 Virginia Tech for the third-fastest goal in UC history before Alyssa Adams scored at 39 seconds against Detroit Mercy for the seventh-fastest (tied) in program history.
// BIG OUTPUT
Heading into the trip through Michigan, Nause, a freshman, had two goals to her credit in her first have collegiate games before breaking out in a big way. First, at CMU, she netted her first career hat trick while also scoring her first career free-po goal. Then, at #20 Michigan, she followed that performance with another career-high as she scored four goals for the Bearcats, including one just 40 seconds into the game. Nause now has nine goals on the year, placing her fifth on the team.
// FEELING HONORED
Following the weekend, Nause was named the AAC Freshman of the Week, earning her first career award from the league and the first rookie honor for UC in its new conference. In fact, Nause is now just the second Bearcats player to ever be named as the freshman of the week in a conference after Borzillo was selected five times in 2017 when UC played in the Big East.
// RUNNING TOTAL
The Bearcats are no strangers to weekly accolades from the American as Nause's award last week marks the fourth in a row at least one member of the team earned an honor. Monica Borzillo (attacker) and Sam Mlkvy (Honor Roll) received recognition in Week 1 before Alyssa Adams (midfielder) and Taylor Gysin (HR) were honored the following week. UC did not win any awards this past week as they did not have games played in which to nominate from.
// LOTS OF HELPING
In the Michigan game, Borzillo dished out six assists, tying her career high and program single-game record that she had set twice before with both games coming in her freshman season of 2017. Along with those records, her six assists now also rank as the single-game record in the American Athletic Conference, her second such record after setting the single-game points record earlier this year against Kent State with 11.
// TRY THIS HAT ON FOR SIZE
Through seven games this season, Bearcats players have recorded a hat trick (three goals) or better in a game 16 times. That total already ranks highly in program history as it is the sixth-best total in a season with the team averaging 2.3 players per game recording a hat trick in 2019. The Bearcats are just four hat tricks away from becoming the fourth team to record 20 or more in a season, which was first done in 2009 (21) before the 2017 (24) and 2018 (20) squads joined the list.
// HAPPY HATTERS
On an individual basis, Borzillo's 17 hat tricks ranks second in program history behind on Laura Simanski (2009-12), who had 30 for the new program, while Sam Mlkvy has 13 to her credit, which ranks her fourth all-time. To reach the Top 10, a player needs to record six hat tricks in her career with both Amanda Donovan and Taylor Gysin closing in on that mark as both have five to their names so far.
// FIRST HAT TRICK
While Nause recorded her first two collegiate hat tricks in the past two games, Jayde Sains accomplished the feat for the first time wearing a Bearcats uniform as she tallied three goals against Central Michigan. Previously, Sains had recorded one hat trick in her career and that came in her freshman season of 2016 when she scored three goals against Howard while playing for LIU Brooklyn before transferring to Cincinnati.
// TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER!
Through seven games, Monica Borzillo continues to be among the top scorers in the league and ranks highly nationally as well. Borzillo, who has tallied 42 points on 23 goals and 19 assists, ranks first in the AAC in both points per game (6.00) and assists per game (2.71) while sitting second in goals per game (3.29). On a national level, she ranks fourth in the NCAA in points per game and is seventh in assists per game while ranking 20th overall in goals per game.
// GETTING GOALS
Last year, the Bearcats scored 201 goals to break a single-season record and become the first UC team to score 200 or more in a single campaign. This year, it doesn't appear the offense is letting off the gas as the team is averaging 13.29 goals per game in 2019 and have scored 18 or more goals in a game three times. To put that in context, the team entered the season having scored 18 or more goals in a game just seven times in the previous 11 seasons.
PREVIOUSLY NOTED
// HISTORIC GAME
Previously, 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.
// 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.
// 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.
// 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 AD 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
The Bearcats will return home for the first time in nearly one month as they will host to a pair of games at Getter Stadium. First, UC will welcome San Diego State to town for a 5 p.m. game on Friday, March 22. Then, the Bearcats will close out the weekend with the team's annual Pink Game as Gardner-Webb comes to town for a noon game Sunday, March 24.