March 24, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt lacrosse team has gotten used to being on the road the past few weeks. After opening the season at home on Feb. 11, the Commodores played six straight games on the road but they are back home this weekend. The ‘Dores will face Butler, who started its program this year, Saturday at 1 pm CT at the Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility.
Head coach Cathy Swezey noted that it is good for the team to be back home this weekend.
“It is ironic that we are back at home and have to play in the indoor facility because of storms but we are excited to be back home,” said Swezey. “The girls are excited to have a good fan base and have some black and gold in the stands so we are looking forward to it.”
Last time out, the ‘Dores faced old American Lacrosse Conference foe Johns Hopkins. The first 20 minutes of the game was back-and-forth between the two teams.
Hopkins scored the first two goals of the game and the ‘Dores responded with goals from Melanie Becker and Julie Blaze to tie the game at 2.
The Blue Jays would regain the lead but the ‘Dores would have another answer. Emily Mathewson scored at the 12:58 mark to tie the game at three.
The rest of the half belonged to the Blue Jays, as they scored the final four goals of the half and took a 7-3 lead into the break.
The Commodores had one final push in them to begin the second half. Becker and Mathewson each scored their second goals of the game to bring the deficit down to 7-5 but that would be the closest the ‘Dores would get. Hopkins would outscore them the rest of the game 6-3 en route to a 13-8 victory.
Butler enters Saturday’s game with a 1-8 record. Last time out for the Bulldogs, they lost their inaugural BIG EAST game against Georgetown 18-2.
Redshirt-sophomore Haley Halenbeck does it all for the Bulldogs as she leads them in points (24), draw controls (24), goals (21), ground balls (19) and caused turnovers (11) on the season. Freshman Journey Fischbeck is first on the team with 10 assists and second in points with 23.
In the cage, the Bulldogs have split time between Allie Storke and Haley Rayburn. Storke has started in fives games this year, made 46 saves and has the lone win for the Bulldogs this year. Rayburn has started in four games and made 42 saves.
Fans are encouraged to come out early on Saturday, as the first 300 will receive a free pair of Vanderbilt sweatpants. Doors will open at the Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility at 12 pm CT. For fans that will not be able to make the game, it will be broadcast on Facebook Live via the Vanderbilt Athletics Facebook page. You can also keep up with the game via Game Tracker .
