Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Host Louisville to Kick Off NCAA Tournament
5/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
| 2015 Northwestern Lacrosse -- Game 19 |
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| No. 8-seed Northwestern (12-6) vs. Louisville (10-7) | |
| Date | Friday, May 8 | 3:30 p.m. CT |
| Location | Lakeside Field | Evanston, Ill. |
| Gametracker | NUSports.com |
| Live Stream | NUSports.com |
| Gameday Info | Tournament Central | Bracket | Digital Program |
| Social Media | @NU_SportsLIVE  | @NULax | Facebook  |
| Game Notes | Northwestern | Louisville |
| NCAA Tournament Second Round |
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| Northwestern/Louisville vs. Notre Dame/Ohio State | |
| Date | Sunday, May 10 | 1 p.m. CT |
| Location | Lakeside Field | Evanston, Ill. |
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's quest for an 11th-straight appearance in championship weekend and an eighth national title in program history begins Friday when it hosts Louisville in the first round of the 2015 Division I women's lacrosse tournament.
The Wildcats and Cardinals will play the first game of the Friday doubleheader at 3:30 p.m. CT. Notre Dame and Ohio State will play approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one. The winners will advance to the second round to be played Sunday, May 10 at 1 p.m.
Tourney Time
The Wildcats enter their 17th NCAA Tournament as a No. 8 seed and will play host to Louisville in a rematch of a March 29 contest in which the `Cats prevailed, 12-10. This marks the 12th appearance in the storied career of 14-year head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller. Amonte Hiller is 37-4 in her career in the NCAA Tournament - representing the most wins and best winning percentage in Division I women's lacrosse postseason history -- and this season is setting her sights on guiding the `Cats to the 11th consecutive appearance in championship weekend and eighth national championship.
No Place Like Home
The No. 8-seed Wildcats will look to continue their NCAA Tournament dominance at the friendly confines of Lakeside Field this weekend. The `Cats are a perfect 20-0 at Lakeside Field in NCAA action under head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller, outscoring their opponents 304 to 145 along the way. The Wildcats and Cardinals met last season in the second round of the Tournament in Evanston with Chicago's Big Ten Team coming out on top, 11-8.
Lasota is B1G's Top Freshman
Attacker Selena Lasota was voted as the league's first Freshman of the Year Monday, becoming the fourth Wildcats in program history to earn a top award for a freshman. Also a member and unanimous selection to the inaugural All-Big Ten Team, Lasota leads the Wildcats with 58 goals and has scored in each of her first 18 career games. She has tallied at least two goals in 16 of the 18 contests and at least two points in 17 of 18.
Craig is Cruisin'
Junior Kaleigh Craig has been one of the nation's most dangerous scorers over the last 10 games. Craig has scored 28 goals over the last 10 games after being held scoreless in back-to-back contests against Syracuse and Maryland. The junior has scored at least two goals in each of the 10 games, including four against Penn State on April 19 and again against the Nittany Lions in the Big Ten Tournament to tie her career high
Don't Mess With Mupo
In addition to the stellar play of Lasota and Craig, senior Kara Mupo has continued to shine as the captain of the Wildcats in this her redshirt senior season. Mupo has posted a hat trick in each of the last three games entering the NCAA Tournament and has scored at least one goal in 15 straight. She has twice matched her career high this season with five goals and posted three additional four-goal contests. Mupo is tied with Craig for second on the team with 38 goals and is second with nine free-position goals.
No Sophomore Slump
A year after starting every game as a true freshman, sophomore midfielder Sheila Nesselbush has become arguable the team's most dynamic and consistent player on both ends of the field. Nesselbush scored just three goals as a freshman, but is fourth on the team with 21 goals this season while leading the squad in both ground balls (32) and draw controls (59). She was named a member of the inaugural All-Big Ten Team last week and is just one of two position players on the squad to start every game this season.
Scouting the Cardinals
Louisville (10-7) secured an at-large bid after playing its inaugural season the Atlantic Coast Conference this season. The Cardinals earned their highest ranking of No. 10 and have remained in the top 15 all season long for the first time in school history. Kaylin Morissette, a Tewaaraton Award nominee, leads the Cardinals with 59 points while Hannah Koloski is second with 56 points. Morissette leads the team in with 17 and ranks second in the nation with 178 draw controls. Koloski leads the team with 50 goals this season
@NULax Gameday At-A-Glance
Game details, series history, facts, figures and more to get you set for Northwestern's NCAA Tournament matchup vs. Louisville...
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