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No. 4 Virginia Hosts Harvard Monday, Visits Virginia Tech Wednesday
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The No. 4 Virginia women’s lacrosse team closes out its three-game homestand tonight, hosting Harvard at 7 p.m. in Klöckner Stadium. The Cavaliers will then face another quick turnaround, heading to Virginia Tech on Wednesday to face the Hokies at 4 p.m., and close out a four-game stretch in an eight-day period. Live statistics for both contests will be available at VirginiaSports.com.
Virginia (9-3, 3-1 ACC) has had seven Cavaliers contribute at least 15 goals this season, led by senior All-Americans Kaitlin Duff and Brittany Kalkstein. Duff leads the team with 25 goals and 38 points, while Kalkstein has contributed 33 points. Kalkstein, the ACC’s career draw control record holder, ranks fifth nationally and leads the team with 56 draw controls this year. She also has a team-high 26 ground balls and 21 caused turnovers, while Duff has caused 19 turnovers to move into third on Virginia’s all-time list in the category. She currently has 115 and is just seven shy of tying Stephy Samaras (1998-2000) at 122 for second. Tiffany Schummer (2000-03) holds the record at 127.
Harvard (4-5) is led by Jen VanderMeulen, who has notched 34 goals. Melanie Baskind has contributed 13, while collecting a team-high 26 ground balls, 16 draw controls and 18 caused turnovers. In goal, Katherine Martino is allowing 9.84 goals per game, while stopping 42.6 percent of shots faced.
The Cavaliers have only faced the Crimson twice on the lacrosse field, with Virginia earning both wins. The Cavaliers won at Harvard Stadium, 13-9, last season, and also hold an 11-10 overtime victory in the semifinals of the 1993 NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers claimed the NCAA title that year.
Virginia Tech (4-8, 0-3 ACC) boasts the nation’s leader in draw controls – Allie Emala. Also among the team leader in points, Emala has won 71 draws this season and has recorded 23 goals and a team-high 34 points. Jessica Nonn leads the team with 26 goals, 35 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers.
In the all-time series with the Hokies, the two programs have met every year since 1997, the Cavaliers hold a perfect 14-0 record.
Following this week’s contests, the Cavaliers will take a break before returning home to host George Mason on Tuesday, April 13. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. and it will mark the final regular season home game for Virginia.