Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Opens ALC Play at Ohio State Wednesday
3/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
March 24, 2010
Northwestern Lacrosse Weekly Release - March 23 
Opening Draw
Top-ranked Northwestern remains on the road, heading to Columbus, Ohio for a midweek spring break showdown against Ohio State. The game is the American Lacrosse Conference opener for teams, with the opening draw set for 6 p.m. CT Wednesday, March 24.
Wildcats on the Web
Wildcat fans unable to make it to Columbus this weekend can still keep up to date with every Northwestern goal. Twitter followers will receive live in-game updates @NU_SportsLIVE, and live video (without audio) and stats will also be available by following the link at OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
Scouting the Buckeyes
Ohio State enters the week with a 5-2 record and has won three in a row, notching victories over Duquesne, Louisville and George Washington. Senior Kelly Haggerty leads the Buckeyes with 38 points (18G, 20A) on the year, while sophomore Alayna Markwordt is right behind with 33 points (18G, 15A). Senior Brittney Zerhusen leads the team with 20 goals on the year with six assists while ranking third with 12 draws. 16 has been sophomore Gabby Capuzzi's lucky number this year as that is the number of goals, ground balls and draw controls she has amassed, ranking among the Buckeye team leaders in all three categories. Junior Maghan Beaudrault has been a key contributor for Ohio State as well as she is first on the squad in caused turnovers (13), tied for first in draws (16) and is second in ground balls (15) while adding eight goals and a pair of assists. Junior goalkeeper Annie Carruthers has recorded 68 saves on the year for Ohio State with a .527 save percentage and a 10.42 goals against average in addition to 11 ground balls. Sue Stimmel is in her 15th year at the helm of the Buckeyes with a 118-106 (.527) record in Columbus and is 194-124 (.610) in her 21st year as a head coach.
Series Information
Wednesday marks the ninth meeting between the Wildcats and Buckeyes as Northwestern holds a 6-2 edge in the all-time series. The 'Cats have taken the last six against their ALC rival, including an 18-10 victory at Lakeside Field in 2009. Northwestern is 3-0 against Ohio State in Columbus, most recently taking a 21-4 decision against the Buckeyes in 2008.
LoManto Captures ALC Defensive Player of the Week Honors
After tying a career-best with 10 saves at eighth-ranked Syracuse Sunday, sophomore goalkeeper Brianne LoManto has been named the American Lacrosse Conference Defensive Player of the Week, becoming the third Northwestern player to garner weekly POW honors. LoManto, who has started all six games in net this year for Northwestern, played a critical role in helping the Wildcats rally past the Orange for the 13-12 victory. She recorded six saves in the second half, including four in the final 15 minutes to help preserve the Northwestern victory. Her most memorable on the day was a diving stick save which robbed Syracuse of an empty-net goal midway through the half. The sophomore goalkeeper upped her season save total to 40 with a .513 save percentage and a 7.58 goals against average.
Wildcats Look To Continue ALC Domination
Since joining the American Lacrosse Conference in 2002, Northwestern, the 2010 reseason conference favorite, has posted a 38-9 (.809) record in conference play and has won or shared each of the past six ALC crowns, winning the title outright in each of the past five seasons. The Wildcats have won all three ALC Championships, posting a 6-0 record since the tournament began in 2007. Northwestern has also won 29 consecutive conference matchups, dating back to the 2004 season. Individually, the Wildcats have had the conference's Player of the Year in each of the past five seasons (Kristen Kjellman from 2005-07 and Hannah Nielsen from 2008-09) while Kelly Amonte Hiller has been named the ALC Coach of the Year five times (2004-07 and 2009).
For the complete weekly release, click the PDF link above.
