Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Ready to Host The Mount
5/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
May 12, 2005
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EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern women's lacrosse team finished the regular season as the only unbeaten Division I team in the nation. The goal now is to repeat the feat in the NCAA Championship.
NCAA WOMEN'S LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP
(1) Northwestern vs. Mount St. Mary's
Thursday, May 12 * 4 p.m. Central
Thomas Athletic Complex (Evanston, Ill.)
Tickets: $5 general admission; $3 NU students with ID; $3 kids 18 and under
"Everyone is 0-0 again," said NU head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller. "Everyone starts this week on the same level."
The Wildcats have the top seed in this tournament, and with good reason. Not only did Northwestern finish 17-0, but they led the nation in scoring offense, scoring defense and scoring margin. Some of the numbers they put up in 2005 to date have been staggering, and have put the lacrosse world on watch.
This is NU's second-straight appearance in the postseason, following last year's journey to the quarterfinal round where the 'Cats lost to eventual national champion Virginia. According to Amonte Hiller, the excitement of making the NCAAs has not become old hat.
"To be honest, we are thrilled to be back in the tournament," she said. "Beyond that, we have the potential for two home games, and we are the top seed. Those things are icing on the cake. We are excited to get going."
Northwestern's potent offense has been led all year by Tewaaraton Trophy finalists Lindsey Munday -- the nation's leading scorer at 5.35 points per game -- and Kristen Kjellman (third nationally at 4.94 ppg). However, several others are capable of doing damage; Laura Glassanos has more than 40 goals, while Aly Josephs needs just one to reach that mark. Sarah Albrecht has scored 12 goals in the last three games and has come on of late.
At the other end, the Koester twins -- seniors Courtney and Ashley -- lead a stingy defense that is backstopped by ALC Goalie of the Year Ashley Gersuk. Courtney Koester joins Munday and Kjellman on the Tewaaraton list, while Ashley Koester is a three-time All-ALC selection. Lindsay Finocchiaro and Emily Lovett are also standouts on this unit.
Mount St. Mary's (14-5) -- led by fourth-year head coach Courtney Martinez Connor, like Amonte Hiller a Maryland graduate -- arrives in Evanston after winning a play-in game over Manhattan, 18-2, last Friday to earn its spot in the field. The Mountaineers won the Northeast Conference (NEC) title with a 7-1 mark. MSM is led by sophomore Casey Paris, who earned All-NEC honors after scoring 42 goals and garnering 57 points. Senior Nicole Di'Angelo had a school-record 25 assists and added 27 goals for 52 points, while Erin LaMotte had 47 points. Jen Davison leads the Mount defense, which is backstopped by Naomi Campano who had 161 saves, a 6.94 goals against average, and a .583 save percentage. LaMotte, Davison and Campano joined Paris on the All-NEC first team.
