March 6, 2009
BOSTON – The No. 12/No. 10* Commodores continue their push through a challenging opening schedule when they face No. 10/11 Boston at 1 p.m. ET Saturday at Nickerson Field. Both teams have dedicated the contest to helping fund the efforts of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation**.
In the fall of 2008, a local child was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, and Coach Cathy Swezey and her team adopted the child through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. The charitable organization is committed to raising public awareness and providing family support to children suffering with pediatric brain tumors.
The Commodores (1-2) will also look to bounce back from a tough loss to American Lacrosse Conference foe and No. 1 Northwestern at home on Feb. 27. The `Dores handed the Wildcats their first deficit of the season at 2-1 five minutes into the contest, and grabbed another lead at 4-3 midway through the same period.
Vanderbilt entered the locker room down three, but the nation’s No. 1 team hit its stride and left Nashville with a win. Sarah Downing recorded her second consecutive hat trick with three goals against the `Cats, after netting five against UMBC on Feb. 21.
Swezey’s squad travels to Boston to face its third ranked opponent in four games (VU hosted No. 9 UNC to open its season). The Terriers will look to rebound from a tough loss as well, falling on the road to No. 5 Syracuse 17-8 on March 4.
Boston (2-1) jumped out to a 4-0 advantage early in the match, but the Orange rallied to take the lead and hold it for good. Junior attacker McKinley Curro netted a hat trick, while senior midfielder Sarah Dalton scooped four ground balls and redshirt junior, goalie Rachel Klein stopped eight shots.
The Retrievers were picked to win their fifth consecutive America East conference title this season. Boston returns 21 players from last season’s team, including 10 returning starters. Dalton and Klein captain the squad along with senior attacker Steph Walker and senior defender Kelly Munroe.
The Commodores and Retrievers have met six times throughout their histories, with BU holding a 4-2 advantage in the series. Boston defeated the `Dores 17-7 at home last season.
* IWLCA standings/WomensLax.com standings
** Boston University has donated tickets to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and other charities are encouraged to attend. All players and staff from both teams will be wearing a special Friends of Jaclyn warm-up T-shirts made by Brine.