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No. 8 Virginia Welcomes No. 15 Princeton to Klockner Stadium Saturday
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The No. 8 Virginia women’s lacrosse team will host No. 15 Princeton Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader with UVa’s second-ranked men’s lacrosse team at Klöckner Stadium. The women will take on the Tigers at noon, before the men face No. 20 Ohio State at 3 p.m. Live statistics will be available at VirginiaSports.com.
Both games will air live locally on WINA 1070 AM with John Freeman providing the play-by-play. That audio broadcast will also be streamed online at VirginiaSports.com with a subscription to Virginia Sports Online Radio.
The Cavaliers bring an overall record of 4-3 into the game and are coming off a come-from-behind, 14-13, victory over No. 16 William & Mary Wednesday evening. The Cavaliers trailed 12-5 early in the second half, but used a 9-1 run – capped by a game-winning goal from junior Josie Owen at 2:46 – to secure the victory over their in-state rival.
Junior Charlie Finnigan leads Virginia’s attack this year with 22 goals, while classmate Julie Gardner has a team-best 28 points on 15 goals and 13 assists. Owen has also reached double-digits in both goals and assists, with 15 and 10, respectively, while redshirt junior Ainsley Baker has contributed 18 goals.
Defensively, junior Bailey Fogarty has scooped up a team-high 18 ground balls to go with 11 caused turnovers. In goal for the Cavaliers, sophomore Kim Kolarik is allowing 11.33 goals per game, while stopping 41.2 percent of shots faced.
Princeton (3-2) most recently dropped a 10-5 decision at No. 9 James Madison Wednesday night. The Tigers are led offensively this season by Jaci Gassaway’s 15 points. Gassaway has tallied nine goals and six assists, while Lizzy Drumm has a team-best 13 goals. In goal, Erin Tochihara has posted a 9.80 goals-against average and leads the team with 11 ground balls.
Virginia took a slight lead, 15-14, in an otherwise even series with Princeton last year. The Cavaliers snapped a two-year stretch of one-goal losses to the Tigers, earning a decisive 14-7 road victory.
The two squads have met at least once every year since 1991, with the game being decided by one goal on 13 occasions and in overtime five times. Virginia and Princeton have also played for the NCAA title three times, with Virginia winning two of those championship games – in 1993 (8-6 in overtime) and 2004 (10-4). The Tigers topped the Cavaliers in overtime in 2003, 8-7.
Following this weekend’s match-up, Virginia will head down the road for a Wednesday night game at No. 9 James Madison. Opening draw is slated for 7 p.m.