cville-lax.com

From media releases

The Virginia women’s lacrosse team scored 13 goals on Northwestern, more than twice their average goals allowed, and more than any other team has scored on the `Cats in 2007, but the Cavaliers still fell 15-13 in the NCAA Championship final. The two-goal deficit was also the closest any other team has come against the Wildcats in the final 21 games of the season. Virginia (19-4) had eight different players score goals, including Megan O’Malley, who had three goals; Megan Havrilla had two goals and added two assists to end up as the Cavaliers’ top scorer. Kaitlin Duff had three caused turnovers to lead all players, and Brittany Kalkstein had five draw controls to lead UVa.

Virginia burst out of the gates, scoring twice in the opening 90 seconds as O’Malley and Ashley McCulloch both scored to stake the Hoos to a 2-0 lead. NU countered with a 7-0 run, with Hilary Bowen scoring two of her game-high five goals in that run. The teams traded goals for the remainder of the half, and Northwestern took an 11-6 lead into halftime.

The Cavaliers, who staged the largest comeback in NCAA history in the semifinals against Duke by coming back from a five-goal deficit at halftime, opened up the second half with a 5-1 run in the first eight minutes, with goals coming off the sticks of five different players. Kate Breslin’s goal at 21:44 on an 8-meter shot pulled the Cavaliers to within one at 12-11. A Meredith Frank goal off a pass from Hannah Nielsen pulled the “Cats back in front by two, but Duff caused a turnover in the deep corner and started a clear that saw McCulloch covert a pass from Havrilla to cut the deficit back to one at 14-13 with 16:25 to play.
»» Read the rest of this entry »

From media releases

The Virginia women’s lacrosse team will face Northwestern on Sunday, May 27 in the NCAA Championships final in a game at 7 pm to be held at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pa. The contest will mark the third time in four years that these two schools have met in the NCAA Championships, and each time the winner of the game has won the national title. The title game will be televised live on CSTV.

In 2004 Virginia defeated Northwestern 15-11 in the NCAA quarterfinals; Virginia went on to win the NCAA title two games later. In 2005, the ‘Cats defeated Virginia 13-10 to cap an undefeated season and win their first-ever NCAA title. Northwestern also won the 2006 NCAA title and are on an 11-game win streak in the NCAA Championships; the Cavaliers were the last team to defeat Northwestern in NCAA play. Virginia enjoys a 5-2 lead in the series with the ‘Cats.

The ‘Hoos are playing in their fourth final in five years; the Class of 2007 has reached the NCAA final in three of their four seasons and have a record of 10-2 in the NCAA Championships. Only 10 classes in history have won 10 games in their careers.
»» Read the rest of this entry »

From media releases

With the Virginia women’s lacrosse team facing a 13-4 deficit with 20 minutes to play, the Cavaliers called timeout-and proceeded to set an NCAA record for the largest comeback in NCAA Championships history, scoring the final ten goals of the game to defeat Duke 14-13.

Jess Wasilewski, a Philadelphia native, scored her third goal of the game with nine seconds to play to cap the 10-0 run and send the No. 3 Cavaliers (19-3) to the finals, where they will face two-time reigning champion Northwestern. In the 10-0 run, Philadelphia native Megan Havrilla had three goals and 2006 National Rookie of the Year Blair Weymouth added a hat trick; Ashley McCulloch had one goal and three assists.

Duke scored 25 seconds into the game as Kristen Waagbo scored on a hidden-ball trick, putting the Blue Devils up 1-0. Kaitlin Duff caused a turnover on the sidelines and after three saves by Kim Imbesi, Virginia got on the board as Wasilewski scored a quick stick from Kate Breslin to tie the game. Duke won the draw and scored 28 seconds later to retake the lead. A Michelle Menser goal four minutes later gave Duke a 3-1 lead.

Brittany Kalkstein won the draw and Virginia settled the ball and got off a shot that was saved, but Kalkstein was there to corral the loose ball and worked the ball over to Megan O’Malley, who drove in from the top and scored at 19:12. The Blue Devils then scored the next five goals, including two from Caroline Cryer and two from Waagbo, to open up an 8-2 lead.
»» Read the rest of this entry »

From media releases; Photo: cville-lax.com

	Womenslacrosse.com’s National Player of the Week Kate Breslin (20) takes on Morgan Russell (5) and the North Carolinia defense, Saturday, May 13, 2007. (Click for a larger image, 91K) Breslin was a dominating force in the 14-8 win, with 5 goals (3 unassisted), 2 assists, and 4 draw controls.

Virginia’s Kate Breslin was named the National Player of the Week for the second consecutive week, this time by womenslacrosse.com, for her efforts in the NCAA quarterfinal game against North Carolina as UVa defeated UNC 14-8. Last week Breslin earned the same honor from womenslax.com. Her teammate Ashley McCulloch was named to the national honor roll by womenslacrosse.com as well.

Breslin had four draw controls and added five goals and two assists as the Cavaliers leapt out to a 5-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes and held a 7-1 lead at the break. She has now scored 11 goals and had five assists in two tournament games; she has also recorded six draw controls. Her 16 points ranks 11th all-time in NCAA history for scoring in a tournament.
»» Read the rest of this entry »

From media releases; Photos: cville-lax.com

	It was that kind of day for North Carolinia, Saturday, May 13, 2007. (Click for a larger image, 112K) The Cavaliers move on to meet the Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA semi-finals in Philadelphia.

The Virginia women’s lacrosse team raced out to a 5-0 lead in its NCAA quarterfinal match against UNC, holding the Tar Heels scoreless for the opening 21 minutes thanks to seven saves from Kendall McBrearty, and held on to defeat Carolina 14-8. With the win, the No. 3 Cavaliers (18-3) advance to the NCAA semifinals where they will face No. 2 Duke in the second semifinal on Friday, May 25 at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. At the other end of the field, Kate Breslin had five goals and two assists and Ashley McCulloch had three goals and three assists to lead the Cavalier offensive unit, while both women also added four draw controls as Virginia enjoyed a 17-7 advantage in draw controls.

Claire Bordley won the opening draw but UNC’s Kristen Hordy made a save on Virginia’s first shot, and UNC attempted a clear that was broken at the far restraining line when Breslin caused a turnover on the ride and Megan Havrilla controlled the loose ball. At the other end of the field, Blair Weymouth was fouled on a drive to the cage. She converted the 8-meter shot at 26:33 for the opening goal of the game.

	Blair Weymouth (2) outraces Carolina senior midfielder Melissa McCarthy (23), Saturday, May 13, 2007. (Click for a larger image, 104K) Weymouth finished the day with a pair of goals.

»» Read the rest of this entry »

From media releases; Photo: cville-lax.com

	ACC Freshman of the Year Brittany Kalkstein (17) completes a clear against Princeton in the first round of the 2007 NCAA tournament, Sunday, May 7, 2007. (Click for a larger image: 98K) Kalkstein holds the UVa record for draw controls in a season with 57.

The Virginia Cavaliers will host the UNC Tar Heels on Saturday, May 19 at 2 pm with a berth in the NCAA Semifinals on the line. Third-seeded Virginia (17-3) and sixth-seeded UNC (16-4) have met twice in 2007, with the Tar Heels taking the first game 16-7 before Virginia won the ACC Championship with a 12-6 win over UNC a month later.

The rivalry between these two southern schools is a heated one, with the series tied at 9-9 since UNC elevated the team to varsity status in 1996. This year will mark the second time that the two have met three times in a season; in 1997 the Tar Heels won the first matchup with a 5-4 victory in Chapel Hill before Virginia defeated UNC 9-7 for the ACC title. UNC advanced to the semifinals that season with a 13-12 sudden victory triumph over Virginia in the quarterfinal, held in Charlottesville. Two of Carolina’s victories in the series have come in NCAA action, with the other win in 2002 (14-13, ot).

Virginia and North Carolina are two of the top defensive teams in the nation; UVa ranks fifth nationally with a 7.89 GAA while the Tar Heels check in at 6.92 GAA (3rd). Virginia is led by US team members Jessy Morgan and Jen Holden, who rank 1-2 in minutes played by field players. Holden ranks second on the team in ground balls while Morgan ranks second on the team in caused turnovers. Kendall McBrearty ranks sixth in the nation in goals against average, while her counterpart for UNC, Kristen Hordy, ranks third nationally.

Virginia’s midfield is led by All-ACC member Jess Wasilewski and USA team member Megan O’Malley; the Cavaliers rank ninth nationally in scoring margin. A pair of first-years, Brittany Kalkstein and Kaitlin Duff, have made a phenomenal impact on the team as Kalkstein was named the ACC Freshman of the Year and Duff was named the National Rookie of the Week in March. Kalkstein set the school record for draw controls in a season with 57; she ranks 22nd nationally with 2.85 dc per game; Duff leads the team in both ground balls (42) and caused turnovers (26).
»» Read the rest of this entry »

From media releases; Photos: cville-lax.com

	Virginia sophomore Blair Weymouth (2) is unfazed by the aggressive defense of Princeton senior Kathleen Miller, Sunday, May 13, 2007. (Click for a larger image, 68K) The Cavaliers breezed past the Tigers, 19-10.

After allowing the visiting Tigers two goals in the first 90 seconds, the No. 3 Cavaliers gave their mothers a present for Mothers’ Day as the ‘Hoos (17-3) outscored Princeton 8-1 over the remainder of the first half and then won 13 of the 19 draws in the second half to claim the NCAA first round victory 19-10 today in Charlottesville. The win avenged Virginia’s 2006 defeat in NCAA Tournament at the hands of Princeton. Kate Breslin and Blair Weymouth both had eight points to lead the Cavalier offense while Brittany Kalkstein had six draws. Princeton’s Katie Lewis-Lamonica had five goals to lead the Tigers (10-7).

The Cavaliers won the opening draw but an early turnover gave the ball to Princeton, and Kristin Schwab found Alex Gangler on a fast break to stake the Tigers to the 1-0 lead. Kathleen Miller won the draw and Lewis-Lamonica rolled the crease for a 2-0 lead 27 seconds later. Marie McKenna won the ensuing draw, and things looked bad for the hosts.

	Princeton midfielder Katie Lewis-Lamonica (10) beats Megan O’Malley (28), and fires at Virginia keeper Kendall McBrearty (4), Sunday, May 13, 2007. (Click for a larger image, 120K) The goal drew first blood in the second half, narrowing the score to 8-4.

»» Read the rest of this entry »

From media releases

The Virginia women’s lacrosse team won its second consecutive ACC Championship with a 12-6 decision over No. 5 UNC in Chapel Hill behind a 12-save performance from Tournament MVP Kendall McBrearty. The No. 6 Cavaliers (16-3) shut down the Tar Heel offense, allowing only one goal in the final 30 minutes of play, and that came six minutes into the period. Virginia won 14 of the 20 draws in the game, led by All-Tournament selection Kate Breslin, who had a game-high five. All-Tournament selection Ashley McCulloch led all players with six points on two goals and four assists; her four assists was a record for any game in tournament history and it also gave her the record for assists in a tournament with seven. Brittany Kalkstein not only notched a hat trick but also controlled three draws.

McCulloch controlled the opening draw, setting what would be a tone for the Cavaliers with draw controls. On the opening possession, Virginia worked the ball behind back to the second-year, who hit Megan Havrilla with an opposite post pass for a quickstick, scoring in the first 57 seconds of the game. A McBrearty save popped out of the circle, and she raced out of her circle to grab the loose ball. The Cavaliers worked the ball upfield where they settled it before McCulloch set up behind and fed Megan O’Malley, who quicksticked the ball into the cage for Virginia’s second goal at 23:58, putting the Hoos on top 2-0. UNC pulled within one with an unassisted goal by Chrissy Rude at 21:22. Megan Havrilla was awarded an 8-meter shot but her attempt hit the far pipe and bounced out; Amber Falcone picked up the ball and raced the length of the field before hitting Kristin Taylor, who scored at 16:54 to tie up the game.
»» Read the rest of this entry »

The Virginia defense held Boston College off the boards for the opening 24:20 of the contest, and at the other end of the field Blair Weymouth notched a hat trick and Kate Breslin added two goals to help UVa open up a 7-0 lead en route to a 15-7 victory in the ACC quarterfinals today (April 26) in Chapel Hill. The No. 6 Cavaliers were paced offensively by four goals by both Weymouth and Breslin and a one-goal, three-assist performance from Marye Kellerman; Kendall McBrearty made seven saves to lead the Cavaliers defensively.

Jess Wasilewski won the opening draw of the game and Virginia got into their opening set before Ashley McCulloch dumped the ball into Breslin, who scored two minutes into the contest for the opening goal. Wasilewski won the second draw as well and Virginia worked the ball in for a shot but the Eagles were able to gain possession and start a clear. The pass was overthrown and Virginia gained possession on the sideline. On the reset, the Cavaliers worked a fast break that saw Wasilewski take the ball to the goal circle before dumping it over to Breslin, who scored a second consecutive goal for a 2-0 Virginia lead.
»» Read the rest of this entry »

From media releases

With the Virginia women’s lacrosse team facing a 7-4 deficit midway through the second half of the ACC semifinal against top-seeded Maryland, the Cavaliers rallied, scoring the final six goals of the game to upset the No. 3 Terrapins 10-7 tonight. The Virginia defense allowed only three shots in the final 16 minutes of the game, and Kendall McBrearty made saves on all three of them, to hold off the Terrapins and advance to the ACC Finals.

Maryland scored first as Katie Doolittle led Katie Princiotto, who scored at 25:21 for the opener. Virginia answered as Megan O’Malley won the draw control and after she lost the ball briefly Claire Bordley was there to control the ball for the Hoos and Virginia set its offense. On a drive to the cage, Megan Havrilla was fouled, and she converted the 8-meter shot to tie the game at 1-1. Maryland went back ahead with a goal by Kelly Kasper off an assist from Dana Dobbie just over a minute later.

A McBrearty save, one of her nine of the day, started the next scoring sequence as Jessy Morgan collected the ground ball and started a clear that saw Weymouth fouled on a drive to the cage. She tied the game on an 8-meter at 16:03. The Terps again gained the advantage with a goal by Lauren Cohen off a pass from Casey Magor two minutes later.
»» Read the rest of this entry »