University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Entertain No. 23 Denver in BIG EAST Action
3/23/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
STORRS, Conn. - Following a three-game road stint, the University of Connecticut women's lacrosse team (5-4) returns home for a BIG EAST showdown on Saturday. The Huskies welcome Denver (4-3) to the Sherman Family Complex this weekend for a 12:00 p.m. matinee.
A Win Would...
With a win on Saturday UConn would improve to 2-0 in conference action.
Last Time Out
UConn kicked off conference play with a 22-5 rout of Butler last Sunday. The 22 goals against the Bulldogs marked a single season program record for the Huskies who eclipsed the 20-goal plateau for the first time since February, 17 2016. The previous record of 21 goals was set in a win against Quinnipiac in 2016. Senior Grace Nolan notched eight goals and three helpers to lead eight UConn players that recorded multi-point performances. Sophomore goalkeeper Grace Beshlian and the UConn defense held Butler to just two goals in the second frame. Freshman Olivia Troy made her way onto the stat sheet with her first career tally at 7:56. UConn won all but two draw controls in the final half and finished the game with a 23-6 advantage in the circle.
Leading the Pack
Grace Nolan is pacing the Huskies in points (56), goals (34) and assists (22). The Marcellus, N.Y. native is boasting league bests in points and assists per game with 6.22 and 2.44, respectively. She also breaks into the top three in goals per game, notching 3.78 for second in the BIG EAST. Classmate Cassie Ekstrom is forcing a third-best 1.78 turnovers per game in the league, while freshman Sydney Watson (45) sits fifth in the BIG EAST in draw controls won.
The Series
Saturday's matchup marks just the third meeting between UConn and Denver in the sport of women's lacrosse. The Pioneers are making their first strip to Storrs, Conn. After hosting the Huskies in 2008 and 2017.
Nolan Notables
Senior Grace Nolan flirted with a pair of BIG EAST records while breaking two Connecticut program standards in a 22-5 victory at Butler at March 18. With eight goals and 11 points against the Bulldogs, the Marcellus, N.Y. set UConn single-game records and are each one shy of the BIG EAST single-game records.
Leaving Her Tracks
During her time in Storrs, Grace Nolan has established herself as one of the most prolific scorers in program history. Nolan holds a variety of records including points (11) and goals (8) in a single game and most post scored in a single season with 77. Her 33 helpers as a junior rank the second in program history. In the middle of her senior campaign, Nolan has accumulated 237 points, 146 goals and 91 assists.
Quick on the Draw
Senior Kelsey Catalano set a new program record in draw controls when she won 11 against Fairfield on Feb. 14. Sydney Watson has climbed into the record book as well, as the freshman sits second in drawl controls won after earning won eight at Syracuse (2/9) and New Hampshire (2/28).
100 and Counting...
Head Coach Katie Woods reached a career milestone on Feb. 14 as she eclipsed the 100-win plateau with a 13-12 win against Fairfield. Woods, who has coached at UConn for eight years, set the program record for most wins by a head coach last season with 73. Woods captured 74 of her 100 wins as the leader of the Huskies and accumulated her first career 26 wins during her time at American (2007-2010).
Weekly Awards
Grace Nolan was tabbed the BIG EAST Attacker of the Week on March 20 after knocking down a pair of programs records against Butler. The senior boasted 11 points and eight goals in the win. Sydney Watson garnered BIG EAST Freshman of the Week accolades after a five-point (4g, 1a) performance against No. 7 Syracuse on Feb. 9.
