April 17, 2008

NU Lacrosse Weekly Release - April 17

Watch Friday's game LIVE on NUsports.com

Opening Draw
Top-ranked Northwestern (13-0) closes out the home portion of its 2008 regular season with a pair of ranked opponents. The Wildcats host 17th-ranked Johns Hopkins at 7:05 p.m. Friday, April 18, in a game televised live by CBS College Sports. NU then faces 11th-ranked North Carolina at 1 p.m. on Senior Day, Sunday, April 20.

Scouting Johns Hopkins
17th-ranked Johns Hopkins enters Friday's game with a 6-7 overall record, falling to fourth-ranked Virginia 17-6 on April 13. The Blue Jays are 0-1 in American Lacrosse Conference action after an 11-10 double-overtime loss to Vanderbilt on April 6, and close out the regular season with three-straight ALC games. Johns Hopkins had a trio of 20 goal scorers in sophomore Sam Schrum (22), senior Kirby Houck (20) and sophomore Paige Ibello (20), while sophomore Brett Bathras leads the team in points with 29 (12g, 17a). The Blue Jays have used a pair of goalkeepers this season, with sophomore Lizzie O'Ferrall posting a 4-3 record with 57 saves while freshman Julianne Wisner is 2-3 on the year with 38 saves. Head coach Janine Tucker is in her 15th year at Johns Hopkins with an overall record of 174-75.

Scouting North Carolina
11th-ranked North Carolina is 10-4 on the year, coming off a 10-8 loss to third-ranked Maryland on April 12, and travel to Old Dominion on April 16 before making the trip to Evanston. The Tar Heels have been led by freshman Corey Donohoe, the sister of Northwestern junior midfielder Casey Donohoe (Jarrettsville, Md./Notre Dame Prep), as she has netted 35 goals and added 10 assists in her first season at Chapel Hill. UNC has three other 20-goal scorers in junior Chelsea Parks (25), sophomore Kristen Taylor (22) and sophomore Megan Bosica (21). Senior goalkeeper Amanda Barnes has recorded 74 saves in net for the Tar Heels with a 9.40 goals against average. Jenny Levy is in her 13th season at Chapel Hill with an overall record of 158-71.

Series Information
Friday's game marks the ninth meeting between Northwestern and Johns Hopkins with the Wildcats holding a 6-2 series advantage. NU defeated the Blue Jays twice last season, taking a 12-5 victory in Baltimore before a 22-6 win in the inaugural ALC Championship game, and has won the last five meetings. The Wildcats have also posted a 3-1 record against North Carolina, but the Tar Heels are the last team to defeat Northwestern, earning a 9-8 overtime win in Chapel Hill in the 2007 season opener.

Wildcats on the Web
Fans unable to make the trip to Evanston this weekend can still follow the Wildcats as a live game feed of both games at Lakeside Field will be available through Northwestern All-Access at NUSports.com. Live game stats will also be available.

Upcoming Wildcat Promotions
Friday's game against Johns Hopkins is part of Wildcat Women's Sports Weekend, and is also the Chipotle BIG game. The first 100 fans will receive a Wildcat Women's Sports Weekend t-shirt, and the first 50 NU students will receive a coupon for a free Chipotle burrito. In addition, one student will win a quater's supply of burritos. Sunday's game against North Carolina is Scout Day, as all boy and girl scouts who show their scouting apparel will receive $2 admission and those arriving before 12:45 p.m. will be able to be on the field for the Wildcat introductions and national anthem. There will also be a halftime contest for all scouts, and those who participate will receive the official 2008 Wildcat Athletics Scout Patch.

For the complete weekly release, click here.