April 15, 2009
Sarah Downing led the ‘Dores with six goals Wednesday.
Russell’s Photo Gallery | Weinman’s Senior Day Photos
View Box Score | 2009 Season Statistics
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The No. 12 Commodore women’s lacrosse team downed No. 9 Notre Dame, 18-11, Wednesday at the Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex.
On Vanderbilt’s senior day, the Commodores’ underclassmen made their voices heard. Freshman goalkeeper Natalie Wills made a career-high 17 saves in the game, saving better than 61 percent of the shots she faced.
Junior attack Sarah Downing had a game-high six goals to lead a potent Commodore attack. Vanderbilt put 90 percent of its shots on-goal for the game.
“I was very pleased to see the way our team rebounded from Sunday’s game,” VU Head Coach Cathy Swezey said. “This was a complete team effort. Our attack played great after being quiet in the last couple of games, our defense was phenomenal and Natalie continues to impress.”
Vanderilt scored the first two goals of the game in the opening three minutes. After Notre Dame got on the board, the Commodores answered with four goals to take a 6-1 lead.
Goals by senior Cara Giordano, Downing, sophomore Katherine Denkler and junior Carter Foote helped the Commodores take a 10-3 lead into the break.
Four straight goals by Notre Dame in the second half got the Irish within four at 11-7, but Vanderbilt answered with Giordano’s second goal of the day and the Irish would get no closer than four goals for the rest of the game.
Freshman Ally Carey led all players with seven draw controls to go along with four points on two goals and two assists. Junior Alex Mundy had game-highs with five ground balls and four draw controls for the Commodore defense.
Vanderbilt will close out the 2009 regular season next week at Cornell before traveling to Penn State for the 2009 American Lacrosse Conference Tournament.
