LAX: 'Dores Knock Off No. 6 Notre DamePhoto Gallery, Post-Game Audio

April 18, 2007

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Box Score

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2007 Seniors: Thrift, Frew, Lemons, Pugno and Tapscott

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 14th-ranked Commodores women’s lacrosse team pulled off another upset, knocking off sixth-ranked Notre Dame, 13-9, Wednesday afternoon at the Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex.

The game stood tied at 9-9 with 15 minutes remaining, but Vanderbilt scored the final four goals — including two from sophomore Cara Giordano — to secure the impressive victory.

The Commodores notched their second victory over a Top 10 team this season, after defeating then-No. 6 Penn State in State College, Pa., in March.

Prior to Wednesday’s contest, Vanderbilt honored its five graduating seniors. With the exception of pure defender Molly Frew — who helped the Commodore back line hold Notre Dame to only 16 shots in the game — each member of the senior class found her way onto the scoreboard.

Kendall Thrift, Vanderbilt all-time leader in assits, paired two helpers with a couple of goals. Jennifer Tapscott recorded a goal and two assists, while Nicole Pugno score twice. Even Ali Lemons — back in the starting lineup after missing a game due to injury — found the back of the net on a free position shot.

The game was tied on five occasions (including a 6-6 halftime deadlock), but the Commodores never trailed. And when the contest looked as if it might come down to the wire — a trend of late for the Commodores — Vanderbilt held Notre Dame scoreless for the final 15:39 of the contest to secure the four-goal win.

Other offensive contributors for Vanderbilt included sophomore Margie Curran (two goals) and freshmen Anastasia Adam (one goal, one assist) and Sarah Downing (one goal).

Giordano and Curran combined for nine of Vanderbilt’s 14 draw controls, as the Commodores won nine of 12 restarts in the decisive second half.

The Commodores travel to Ithaca, N.Y., next weekend, to take on the Cornell Big Red at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, April 29.

The following week, VU travels to Baltimore, Md., to take part in the first-ever American Lacrosse Conference Championships, hosted by Johns Hopkins. Vanderbilt has secured the No. 2 seed in the tournament, and will play its first tournament game on Friday, May 4.