Women's Lacrosse Holds Off Loyola

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April 28, 1998

Baltimore, MD–The top-ranked Cavaliers scored four goals in the first ten minutes of the game against the fourth-ranked Greyhounds and weathered a series of runs to hang on to defeat Loyola 8-6 in Baltimore today. Virginia, behind senior Heather Castle’s (Timonium, Md./Notre Dame Prep) season-high 11 saves, held the Hounds to six goals while blistering the nation’s top-ranked defense for eight goals en route to the win.

Virginia jumped on the board just 1:18 into the game as Samm Taylor (Springfield, Va./Robinson) found Kelly Allenbach (West Chester, Pa./W. C. Henderson) in front of the crease. Three minutes later Meredith Elwell (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) converted a challenge from the top to go up 2-0. Loyola responded a minute later as the Hounds intercepted a pass and raced back down field and were given a free position, which Kathleen O’Shea converted to make the score 2-1. The Cavaliers then scored two quick goals as Jess Hull (Arnold, Md./Broadneck) took a Lacey Aumiller (Baltimore, Md./Notre Dame Prep) pass to the cage and senior captain Peggy Boutilier (Baltimore, Md./Roland Park Country) scored on a challenge to take a 4-1 lead with only ten minutes elapsed in the game.

After the Loyola timeout, the Greyhounds showed why they were the top- ranked defense going into the game by holding the Cavaliers scoreless for 18 minutes. Meanwhile, the Hound offense notched two goals on challenges from the top to cut the deficit to one at 4-3 with 6:34 remaining in the half. The Cavaliers ended their scoring drought with 1:57 to play in the half as Mills Hook (Lutherville, Md./St. Paul’s) converted a free position to give Virginia a 5-3 lead at halftime.Taylor gave the Cavaliers a three-goal lead eight seconds into the second half when she drew to herself and and raced down field and settled a bounce shot past Loyola’s Kourtney Heavey, who leads the nation in goals-against average. The Greyhounds responded as Maria DiTommason scored her second goal on a free position five minutes later to cut the deficit to two.

Virginia went up by three again as Boutilier again scored on a challenge with 18:38 to go in the game. The Hounds cut the margin to two again four minutes later as Megan Santacroce scored with an assist from Erin Wylde halfway through the period.

The Cavaliers worked to maintain possession for the remainder of the game and with 3:45 to play Taylor scored again on a challenge from the top to give Virginia its third three-goal lead. The Cavaliers won the ensuing draw and forced a free position, but the shot was saved and the Hounds raced down field and scored with 27 ticks on the clock for the final score of 8-6.

With the victory, the Cavaliers become the nation’s leader in scoring defense, allowing a miniscule 5.58 goals per game. Loyola falls to second with a goals-against average of 5.71. The Cavalier field hockey team, of which Boutilier, Kara Ariza (Lansdowne, Pa./Penn Wood), Elwell, and Melissa Hayes (Chevy Chase, Md./Georgetown Visitation) are members, led the nation in scoring defense earlier this year. Castle remains in second in goals-against average with 5.94 behind Heavey’s 5.81. Other Cavaliers leading the team defensively today were Taylor with three caused turnovers and Amy Fromal (Folsom, Pa./Ridley) who had three ground balls.

Boutilier’s start today was her 68th consecutive start in lacrosse, which ties the school record for consecutive starts and total games played, which she shares with Ariza. Boutilier already holds the school record for consecutive starts in field hockey with 88. The Cavaliers conclude the regular season with a 15-2 record, which ties the record for most wins in the regular season (1991). They await a bid from the NCAA Selection Committee, which will announce the tournament field on Sunday, May 3 at 9:30 pm. The top four teams will get byes and play second round games at home sites on Saturday, May 9. First round games will take place at the home of the higher seed on Wednesday, May 6.

Scoring      1   2   Final (Records)#1 UVA       5   3   8     (15-2)#4 Loyola    3   3   6     (12-2)

Scoring: Goals: (V): Taylor 2, Boutilier 2, Hook, Hull, Allenbach, Elwell (L): DiTommaso 2, Santacroce 2, Wylde, Kathleen O’SheaAssists: (V): Taylor, Aumiller L: WyldeShots: V: 19, L: 21 Free positions: V: 5, L: 12 Ground balls: V:16, L:13Caused turnovers: V: 10, L: 7 Draw controls: V: 8, L:8 Turnovers: V:12, L:15Fouls: V: 26, L: 13 Saves: V: 11 (Castle 11); L: 10 (Heavey 10)