SCHENECTADY, NY -- The #7 Union College women's lacrosse team returns to the NCAA Division III Championships for the fifth time in program history, as the 13-3 Dutchwomen will host Eastern University (PA) Wednesday, May 7 at 4 p.m. at Frank Bailey Field. The Eagles come to Schenectady with a 14-4 record, and the game will be carried live on the web on TEAMLINE and on the local airwaves on WRUC-FM 89.7. Live video and live stats will also take place from Bailey Field.
The winner of this game advances to the Regionals hosted May 10 and 11 at The College of New Jersey. Wednesday's victor would face SUNY Cortland Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
This contest is a rematch of the 2006 NCAA First Round Game, in which Union downed Eastern, 16-7 on May 10. Current Union senior Caitlin Cuozzo (Norfolk, MA) scored five goals in that victory. It was Eastern's first NCAA appearance.
The Dutchwomen have competed in the NCAA Championships in 1999, 2002, 2005 and 2006. Union has won five of the last six, losing to Hamilton Saturday in the Liberty League Championship Game. Head Coach Jessica Critchlow is 36-13 in her three year career entering this week's game. Senior midfielder Keri Messa (Saratoga Springs, NY) leads the Dutchwomen with 70 points, and has a school record 38 assists for the season. Her career total of 151 points ranks her eighth in Union career annals, and she is second all time in career assists (73) to Nina Mandel (84). Caitlin Cuozzo has 148 career points to tie former teammate Kathy Dolezal for ninth all-time. Cuozzo has 20 goals and 33 points this season, and both players were named to the Liberty League First Team. Freshman goaltender Cat Ruggiero (Huntington, NY) has posted a 7.11 goals against mark.
A pair of freshmen have also had tremendous seasons for Union. Attack Kristin Joyce (Longmeadow, MA) leads the squad with 47 goals and 50 points while midfielder Chelsea Charette (South Hadley, MA) has 33 goals and 46 points.
The Eagles have won the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference championship for the third straight year, and thus return to the NCAA tourney for the third straight season with the league's automatic bid. Head Coach Camrin Azzarano is 29-7 in her two seasons at the helm. Freshman midfielder/attack Grace Griffith (Amherst, MA) has 50 goals and 73 assists and junior attack Katie Choquette (Bristol, RI) has tallied 33 goals with 55 points. Junior Kimberly Campbell (Malvern, PA) has a 7.68 goals against average in 17 games.
TEAMLINE webcast
========
Live stats
========
Live video
========
NCAA Tournament bracket
========
Directions to Union College
