Baker Earns Player of the Week Honors From WomensLax.com

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Redshirt sophomore Ainsley Baker has been selected as the WomensLax.com Player of the Week, as announced today. Baker led the Cavaliers to their first conference win of the season, a 13-12 upset win over No. 3 North Carolina in overtime, on Saturday.

Baker scored a career-high five goals – including the game-winner in overtime – to lift the eighth-ranked Cavaliers to a win in their season debut at Klöckner Stadium. The loss was the first for the Tar Heels this year.

Despite UVa being down 4-0 just 2:40 into play, the Corning, N.Y., native opened scoring for the Cavaliers at the 26:58 mark. She tallied another goal midway through the half before completing the first hat trick of her career with the final goal before halftime to send the conference foes into the break tied 8-8.

Baker added another goal in the second half before scoring the game-winner about two minutes into overtime. She has scored in the last four games for Virginia and has notched nine goals and one assist this season.

The national honor marks a first for Baker, and is the first weekly award of her career. She is the second Cavalier to earn player of the week honors from WOmensLax.com this season, as senior All-American Brittany Kalkstein earned the honor on March 1.

The Cavaliers will head to William & Mary for a midweek contest with their in-state rival on Wednesday. Opening draw is slated for 7 p.m.