Northwestern University Athletics
No. 20 Wildcats Head to Ohio State
3/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
March 5, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern women's lacrosse team has certainly not been shy in its pursuit of top-flight competition this season. Though the program is only in its third season back at full varsity status, the Wildcats -- already three games into the season as the calendar turns to March and the true spring season -- have already faced the No. 2 team in this week's poll (Duke) and a Rutgers team that, like the Wildcats, is fighting for a national ranking. And that does not even include the season opener, an American Lacrosse Conference game at Davidson.
All of that pales in comparison, however, to the task ahead of the 'Cats this weekend -- ALC defending champion Ohio State. The teams will meet in Columbus Sunday at 1 p.m. (12 Central).
The Buckeyes began the season ranked in the Top 10, but a loss last week in California has bumped them down the poll. However, NU head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller knows her team has a tall order ahead in facing the defending ALC champions.
"This game holds a lot of clout," said Amonte Hiller, noting that for the first time the ALC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. "With their loss last week, I expect Ohio State to come after us pretty hard this weekend. It is going to be a battle, so the key will be to see how we respond."
Her team has responded to challenges well so far this season. The 'Cats gave Duke all it could handle two weeks ago, but ultimately fell short 15-9 after keeping it as a one-goal game (9-8) midway through the second half. Last weekend, NU jumped out on Rutgers, but saw the Scarlet Knights claw back in with five goals in the final six minutes before earning the win when Lindsey Munday scored in the game's final minute.
Amonte Hiller feels those two games, in particular, provided a great foundation for this weekend's contest.
"Playing teams like Duke and Rutgers so early in the season is a component toward getting our women to be confident when they play a top-flight team," she said. "The athleticism of Duke, and the physical nature of Rutgers play, have us ready for both elements which is what I think Ohio State brings.
"One of the big keys for us is our mentality going into the game -- how do we handle the pressure and athleticism of Ohio State?"
One thing that has pleased Amonte Hiller to date is the play of her offense.
"We have been able to score a lot of goals, and they are coming against good teams," she said (the 'Cats have 48 goals in three games so far). "Not only that, but they have come from a lot of different sources, which is our goal -- to have a lot of options."
Overall, Amonte Hiller is excited by the prospect of this weekend's game and what it can mean for the Wildcat program.
"This is a great opportunity to play a top-ranked team, and it holds that much more weight because it happens to be a conference game," she said. "However, the focus, as always, is on us and what we need to do to be successful."
