Fourth-Quarter Surge Powers Virginia Past Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The No. 11 Virginia women’s lacrosse team (11-3, 4-3 ACC) used a 5-0 scoring run in the fourth quarter to cruise past Louisville (6-8, 2-5 ACC) to a 13-8 road win on Saturday afternoon (April 6) at the UofL Lacrosse Stadium.

Mackenzie Hoeg (4g) led all scorers while Jenna Dinardo (3g, 1a) and Morgan Schwab (1g, 3a) each contributed four-point games. Abby Manalang (2g), Madison Alaimo (1g, 1a), Kiki Shaw (1g), Kate Miller (1g, 2a) and Kate Galica (1a) each made it on the scoresheet as well.

Virginia owned the middle third of the field with relentless pressure in the clearing game forcing the Cardinals into a pair of failed clears. Kiki Shaw and Kate Miller caused a combined three turnovers in transition. Defensively, Mel Josephson recorded double-digit saves for the seventh time this season stopping 10 of 18 shots on goal with a percentage of .556.

How it Happened
Virginia fell behind early but answered Louisville’s opening goal with three of its own in quick succession as Miller, Manalang and Hoeg each found the back of the net to put the Cavaliers in front. Louisville would stop the bleeding with just over two minutes to play in the opening frame as Virginia took a 3-2 lead into the second quarter.

Louisville once again opened the scoring in the second period but the Cavaliers outscored the Cardinals in a 4-1 scoring run featuring back-to-back goals from Jenna Dinardo. The Cavaliers would take a two-goal lead into the halftime break after Louisville scored in the dying seconds of the half to make the score 7-5.

The Cavalier offense exploded from the opening whistle of the game’s final period. Schwab found Hoeg less than a minute into the period which ignited a 5-0 scoring run featuring a pair of assists from Miller and bookended by another Schwab to Hoeg connection. Virginia would go on to secure a 13-8 victory.

From Head Coach Sonia LaMonica:
“We took things one quarter at a time. I did think there were some moments where we could have shown a little more of a sense of urgency and a little more hunger. We talked about that and they responded really well. We did a good job of halting any scoring runs that Louisville could go on and then we had some good success with the draws and we started finishing a little better down the stretch. All in all, it was a really great road win for us.”

With The Win:

• Virginia improves to 11-3 overall and 4-3 in ACC Play
• The Cavaliers rebound with an ACC victory stopping a two-game skid
• UVA remains unbeaten against the Cardinals with a perfect 10-0 record in the all-time series 

Additional Notes

• Mackenzie Hoeg delivered her second consecutive four-goal game
• Kate Galica picked up seven draw controls after recording 11 against VCU (April 3)
• Morgan Schwab tallied three or more assists for the ninth time this season
• With four points on the day, Schwab’s total increases to 227 which puts her at No. 7 on the all-time points list at UVA
• Madison Alaimo’s assist moves her season total to 19, the third-highest total of any UVA freshman and just three assists from the freshman single-season record
• Mel Josephson made her seventh double-digit save performance of the season
• Virginia turned the ball over 14 times compared to Louisville’s 16. The Cavaliers were credited with 10 caused turnovers, four off their season-high.

Up Next:
Virginia returns home for a senior day matchup with No. 4 Boston College on Saturday (April 13). First draw from Klöckner Stadium is set for 4 p.m. on ACC Network.