Baker Earns Second Weekly Award, Named ACC Player of the Week

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GREENSBORO, N.C. – Redshirt sophomore Ainsley Baker has been named the ACC Women’s Lacrosse Player of the Week for the period ending March 14, as announced today by the conference office.

Baker led the Cavaliers in a 1-0 week, scoring a career-high five goals – including the game-winner in overtime – to lift the eighth-ranked Cavaliers to a 13-12 upset win over No. 3 North Carolina. The game marked Virginia’s season debut in Klöckner Stadium, while 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, sending 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.

This marks the first time Baker has earned the ACC Player of the Week award and is the second time a Cavalier has earned it this season. Senior All-American Brittany Kalkstein was named the recipient on March 4.

Baker was also named the WomensLax.com Player of the Week earlier today.

The Cavaliers will head on the road for two contests this week. Virginia will face William & Mary in a midweek contest on Wednesday at 7 p.m., before heading to No. 16 Princeton for a noon game on Saturday.