University of Connecticut Athletics
Undefeated UConn Hosts UMass Saturday
3/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
STORRS, Conn. - The undefeated No. 20 UConn women's lacrosse team returns to the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m. when it takes on UMass.
The Huskies are currently 4-0 to start their 2016 season, coming off two wins on the road against UNH and Rutgers. UConn cracked the top 20 national rankings after its 13-7 victory over UNH and is currently No. 20 in the IWLCA poll and No. 18 in the Inside Lacrosse poll.
In most recent win at Rutgers, the Huskies put up 14 goals to push past the Scarlet Knights 14-11 and extend their winning streak to four games. Sophomore Grace Nolan earned Big East Attacker of the Week for her six-point (5g, 1a) performance against Rutgers and senior goalkeeper Shannon Nee (Lancaster, Pa.) was named to the weekly Honor Roll for her 12 save showing.
Senior attacker Katherine Finkelston (Leonardtown, Md.) currently leads the team with 20 points (17g, 3a) followed by Nolan with 17 points (14g, 3a) and senior midfielder Alyson Fazio (Methuen, Mass.) with 12 (10g, 2a).
Nee has a total 41 saves so far this season for a 7.34 goals against average and a .594 save percentage, the second best percentage in the conference.
SCOUTING MASSACHUSETTS
UMass is currently 4-1 overall this season. The Minutewomen started their season on an undefeated 4-0 tear, before suffering a 9-8 loss to No. 14 Boston College on March 2.
Despite getting off to a 3-0 lead, the Minutewomen trailed the Eagles 7-6 at halftime. Both teams only put up two goals in the second half and UMass fell short of BC by one goal.
Senior attacker Erika Eipp currently leads the team with 23 points (10g, 13a), followed by classmate and fellow attacker Nicole Troost with 17 points (16g, 1a) and three players who are all tied with 11 points.
UMass goalkeepers Aileen Kelly and Sam Walters have split time in net for the Minutewomen, each recording 150 minutes in goal so far this season. Both have played in all five games, Walters starting in net for each. Walters has 15 saves for a .455 save percentage and a 7.20 goals against average and Kelly has 14 saves for a .560 save percentage and a 4.40 goals against average.
THE SERIES
UConn trails UMass 3-8 in the all-time series. The two faced off in February of last season on UMass' home turf, where the Huskies lost to the Minutewomen 7-6 in overtime.
UP NEXT…
The Huskies hit the road again for a weekday match-up with William & Mary on Wednesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. at the Martin Family Stadium in Williamsburg, Va.
