April 11, 2008

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The trip down I-95 this weekend will be a familiar one for a sizable chunk of Yale's roster. The 13th-ranked Bulldogs head into their matchup against UMBC Sunday (1:00 p.m., Live statistics) with seven Maryland natives, more than any other state. A win over the Retrievers would give Yale its 14th double-digit win season in the last 15 years.

With only three games remaining, the Bulldogs (9-4, 3-2 Ivy League) have clinched their 15th straight winning season. Only Maryland, which has clinched its 27th, and Dartmouth, which is looking for its 16th, have longer streaks going.

Still, Yale has higher aspirations. The Bulldogs are also seeking their second straight berth in the NCAA tournament, which makes each remaining game crucial. After a 4-3 start to the season the Bulldogs have won five of their last six, outscoring their opponents 82-43 in that stretch. Senior midfielder Lauren Taylor (Manhasset, N.Y.) has 32 points in those games and 50 points (33-17-50) for the year.

All seven members of Yale's Maryland contingent are contributors. Senior Ellen Cameron (Monkton, Md.) has been the starting goalie for two seasons, and was sixth in the country in goals-against average (8.06) last year. She has lowered that to 7.00 this year with help from a defense that includes Katie Wiacek (Potomac, Md.). Wiacek has 36 starts over the last three seasons. Midfielder/defender Natalie Reid (Ellicott City, Md.), one of the team's vocal leaders, has seen action in seven games this year, including each of the last five games. Katie Janian (Baltimore, Md.), who played on the North Baltimore County lacrosse club with Cameron as her coach, has seen time in four games in relief of Cameron.

The Maryland natives have also contributed offensively as well. Sophomore attacker Jessica Sturgill (Ellicott City, Md.) is sixth on the team in points (14) and goals (11, tie). Sophomore attacker Jenna Block (Owings Mills, Md.) has eight points in nine games. Junior midfielder Taylor Fragapane (Cockeysville, Md.), also one of Yale's top defensive players, has 11 goals and two assists. She is one of Yale's most reliable players with the ball, as she has only five turnovers all year.

UMBC (4-10, 2-3 America East) has won two of its last three games, scoring 45 goals in that span. Attacker Ali Levendusky (47) and midfielder Abbey Swift (21) have accounted for nearly half of the team's 140 goals this season. Defender Sarah Willis leads the team with 13 caused turnovers. Susie Sweeney (.465 save percentage, 11.81 goals-against average) and Kate Quick (.347, 13.83) have split time in goal.