May 9, 2009
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| Tournament Central
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Commodore women’s lacrosse team will open the 2009 postseason with an NCAA Tournament first-round game at Notre Dame’s Alumni Field on Sunday, May 10, at 3 p.m. CT.
Vanderbilt (10-6, 2-2 American Lacrosse Conference) is making its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance overall, reaching the “Big Dance” for the third consecutive year — a first in the program’s 14-year history.
The Commodores are led by junior Sarah Downing. The Morristown, N.J., native has scored 52 goals this season and is only one goal shy of matching the Vanderbilt single-season record held by 2000 graduate Sue Napolitano.
Vanderbilt holds a 9-4 advantage in the all-time series against Notre Dame, including three straight VU victories. Earlier this season in Nashville, the Commodores won 18-11 on Senior Day.
The sixth seeded Irish (15-4, 5-2 Big East) are led by Tewaaraton Trophy finalist Jillian Byers, who has notched 74 goals this season. Notre Dame is 3-0 all-time NCAA Tournament games in South Bend, though Sunday’s contest will not be played as ND’s usual Moose Krause Field due to construction.
Live video and statistics of Sunday’s game are available on Notre Dame’s official athletic site, und.com.
The winner of the Vanderbilt-Notre Dame matchup will face either third seeded North Carolina or Towson on Saturday, May 16.
