Women's Lacrosse Falls in Title Game

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May 17, 1998

CATONSVILLE, Md. — One of the most successful seasons in Virginia lacrosse history came to a sudden end today in Catonsville as the top-ranked Cavaliers fell short in the NCAA Championship game against the three-time defending national champion Maryland Terrapins. Virginia, whohad given up ten or more goals in a game only twice this season, allowed 11 in today’s loss to the Terrapins while managing just five themselves.

Neither team was able to find the back of the net until Maryland jumped on the board with a goal 8:27 into the first half. The Cavalier offense was unlucky as they hit three pipes in the opening ten minutes but were unable to pierce the net. Finallly the Cavaliers responded as ACC Rookie of the Year Mills Hook (Lutherville, Md./St. Paul’s) scored an unassisted goal to tie the game. Both teams held their ground for the next 15 minutes, but the Terrapins scored three times in the final five minutes to take a 4-1 lead into halftime.

Maryland jumped on top early in the second half as they scored twice in the opening two minutes to take a 6-1 lead. The Cavaliers answered asHook converted a free position to pull Virginia to with four. But Maryland answered right back less than a minute later to push the margin back to five. The Terps ripped off two quick goals in under a minute six minutes later to take a 9-2 lead, but Hook again answered for the Cavaliers with a quickstick goal from senior captain Kara Ariza (Lansdowne, Pa./Penn Wood).

Virginia started to rally with 9:15 remaining as freshman Lacey Aumiller (Baltimore, Md./Notre Dame Prep) converted a pass from senior captain Peggy Boutilier (Baltimore, Md./Roland Park Country) and Ariza scored an unassisted goal 15 seconds later to pull Virginia within four.

But that would be all the offense the Cavaliers would get, and Maryland would score twice in the final two minutes to preserve the win.

Virginia ends the season with a 17-3 record, tying the school record for most wins in a season (1991) and setting the record for the most games (20). The Cavaliers do end the season as the national leaders in scoring defense, allowing only 6.00 goals per game. It was also the 71st consecutive start for Boutilier, who sets a new school record for consecutive starts.

Boutilier was named to the 1998 All-Tournament team along with Ariza and Melissa Hayes (Chevy Chase, Md./Georgetown Visitation).

                1   2   Final (Records)Maryland (#3)   4   7   11 (18-3)Virginia (#1)   1   4    5 (17-3)

Scoring: Goals (V): Hook 3, Ariza, Aumiller (M): Nelson 4, Jenkins 2, Newmarch, Adams, Sommar, Carney, EganAssists: (V): Boutilier, Ariza (M): Carney 3, Newmarch, Adams, Sommar, MitchellClearing: V: 15-21; M: 13-20 Caused Turnovers: V: 11; M: 9 Turnovers: V: 15; M: 16Draw controls: V: 5; M: 11 Ground balls: V:37; M: 25 Fouls: V: 18; M: 21Shots: V: 38; M: 29 Free Positions: V: 14; M: 7 Saves: V:10 (Castle 10); M: 21(Kahoe 21)