Feb. 17, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The ‘Dores continue their tough nonconference schedule with their second straight top five opponent. Looking to bounce back from their opening loss to Duke, the 11th-ranked Commodore lacrosse team (0-1) will travel to North Carolina to take on the 4th-ranked Tar Heels (1-0) on Friday at 6 p.m. CT.
Last year saw the Commodores lose an overtime thriller to then No. 9 North Carolina in the season opener, 14-13. In their collegiate debuts, Alex Priddy and Ally Carey combined for six goals as the Commodores nearly pulled off the home upset.
This year’s game will be a homecoming of sorts for Commodore Assistant Coach Amber Falcone, who returns to the school she led to a runner-up finish in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. During her career at UNC, Falcone became the first Tar Heel to earn All-America honors four times. The Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association capped off her prolific career by naming her the 2009 Defender of the Year.
North Carolina comes into Friday’s contest following an 18-7 win over Denver on Sunday. Senior Kristen Taylor led all Tar Heel goal scorers with four goals in the win. Seniors Megan Bosica and Jenn Russell, a First-Team All-American, also added three goals each.
In Sunday’s game against No. 5 Duke, Tewaaraton Trophy candidate senior Sarah Downing led Vanderbilt with three goals.
Friday’s matchup begins a three game road swing for the ‘Dores, who will travel to play UMBC and Stanford in the coming weeks.