April 10, 2010
Box Score | 
Zac Hardy’s Photos | Senior Day Photos
Audio: Postgame Interview with Coach Swezey
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 10th-ranked Vanderbilt women’s lacrosse team notched its eighth straight win with a 19-8 victory over American Lacrosse Conference rival Ohio State Saturday at the VU Lacrosse Complex.
Prior to the contest, Vanderbilt (9-3, 3-0 ALC) honored its seven-member senior class during an on-field ceremony. Once the game began, Commodore sophomore Ally Carey made sure that her upperclass teammates would go out on top.
Carey scored six goals, all in the first half, as Vanderbilt built a 12-3 lead by the break and cruised to its most lopsided victory of the 2010 season.
Vanderbilt owned the majority of possession, controlling 18 of 29 draws and outshooting Ohio State, 42-21. Commodore goalkeeper Natalie Wills made eight saves against only eight goals allowed, marking the third time in four games she has held a team in single digits.
“The challenge for my team today was to step up defensively and allow fewer goals, and I think we did that,” VU Head Coach Cathy Swezey said. “Ohio State is having a great year, and we limited their number of shots and were able to frustrate their offense.”
Vanderbilt’s offense was stymied for the first seven minutes as OSU goalkeeper Annie Carruthers stopped VU’s first five shots. Carruthers would make 18 saves on the day.
Senior Sarah Downing got the Commodores on the board first in the seventh minute. Carey scored six of VU’s next eight goals as the Commodores opened up a 9-2 lead less than 20 minutes into the contest.
Juniors Emily Franke and Katherine Denkler each notched hat-tricks in the game, as eight different Commodores made the scoresheet.
The Commodores narrowly missed scoring 20 goals for the fourth time this season. Vanderbilt is averaged 19.7 goals per game in conference play.
All seven seniors took part in Saturday’s contest, including Megan Gibson, who had missed the entire season with a leg injury. Senior Carter Foote had a game-high five draw controls.
Alayna Markwordt led the Buckeyes (7-4, 1-2 ALC) in scoring with four goals. Jayme Beard had four points on two goals and two assists.
Vanderbilt will play its final three regular season games of 2010 on the road, traveling to face Binghamton this Wednesday, April 14, at 1 p.m. ET. The Commodores will also travel to Florida (April 18) and Northwestern (April 24) to wrap up the year before heading to the ALC Tournament in Columbus, Ohio.
