Northwestern University Athletics
Finch Named WomensLAX.com Player of the Week
4/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
April 9, 2007
Release courtesy of WomensLAX.com
CHICAGO -- Saturday's contest between Duke and Northwestern was highly anticipated, as any contest between two of the nation's top five teams would be. Adding to the equation was that the showdown marked the two teams' first encounter since the 2006 NCAA semifinal overtime thriller.
Few would have predicted a twelve-goal victory for the Wildcats, but perhaps most impressive was Northwestern's defensive effort. Christy Finch led a defense that held Duke to their lowest offensive output since 2005, and it was only the 4th time in program history that the Blue Devils have been outmatched by 12 goals -- its worst loss since 1996.
Finch went into the game ranked second in the nation in caused turnovers. She added five more to that statistic on Saturday, along with three ground balls, as the Wildcat defense allowed a potent Duke offense only 13 shots in the game and only one second-half goal. The junior defender has become known for her ability to "strip" an attacker with the ball in a crowd-pleasing fashion that is often reserved for a big goal or an outstanding goalie save.
Finch is part of a Northwestern defense, ranked No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense, that has allowed only 5.46 goals a game thus far this season.
