April 15, 2008

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - No. 14 Yale's senior class has led the Bulldogs to 42 wins over the last four years, including 16 Ivy League victories. The Class of 2008 would like to add to those totals on Wednesday (5:00 p.m., wybc.com, GameTracker), as Brown comes to Johnson Field for the last regular season home game -- Senior Day.

The seniors have all been key parts of the Yale lineup for years, including last season's run to the NCAA tournament that included a nine-game winning streak. Defenders Jess Champion (Moorestown, N.J.) and Katie Wiacek (Potomac, Md.) have helped the Bulldogs to a No. 6 national ranking in scoring defense (7.66 goals per game) this season. Champion, an All-America selection last year, is tied for second on the team in caused turnovers (15). She is also second in draw controls (20) and is a key part of Yale's clears -- the Bulldogs are 131 for 161 (.814) in that category. Wiacek has also been one of the team's most reliable players with the ball, committing only six turnovers this season while grabbing 15 ground balls. She has appeared in 43 of 47 games over the last three years.

The backbone of the defense is senior goalkeeper Ellen Cameron (Monkton, Md.), who is fourth in the country in goals-against average (7.15). Over the past 30 seasons only three Yale goalkeepers have posted better career marks for save percentage (.489) and goals-against average (8.25). She was a third-team All-America pick last year in addition to earning second team All-Ivy honors.

The Class of 2008 has also made a tremendous impact offensively. Attacker Meredith Callahan (Chatham, N.J.) has established career highs in goals (15), assists (17) and points (32) this year, moving into a tie for 13th on Yale's career assists list (32). A leader both on and off the field, her playmaking skills have been invaluable to the Bulldog attack.

The midfielders in the senior class will go down as two of Yale's best. Tewaaraton Trophy candidate Lauren Taylor (Manhasset, N.Y.) was an All-American last year, becoming the first Bulldog to earn the Ivy League Player of the Year Award. Also an excellent student taking part in a Yale program that will earn her a master's degree in public health next year in addition to her bachelor's degree this year, Taylor was an Academic All-Region selection last year. She is second on Yale's career goals list (193) and points list (240).

Kat Peetz (Spring Lake, N.J.), the Bulldogs' captain, has also made her mark in the record book. She is 13th on Yale's career goals list with 82, and this season marks her third straight with 30 or more points. Her 24 goals tie her for second on the team this year, and she was an honorable mention All-Ivy selection last year.

Yale (10-4, 3-2 Ivy League) has won six of its last seven games while attempting to secure a berth in the NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 94-52 in that span, including 52-20 in the first half. Taylor has moved into the Ivy League lead in goals (36) and points (53) by scoring 23 goals and adding 12 assists during the seven-game span.

Brown (5-6, 2-2 Ivy League) had a three-game winning streak snapped last Friday with a 17-9 loss to No. 18 Cornell. The Bears' winning streak included an 8-5 win over Dartmouth, their first over the Big Green in 10 years. Jesse Nunn leads the team in goals (22) and draw controls (32). Lauren Vitkus leads the team in points (21-8-29).

Yale leads the all-time series with Brown 27-5 and has won the last 14 in a row. Junior midfielder Jenn Warden (Edgemont, Pa.) had five goals and an assist in last year's 13-5 Bulldog win, while Champion and Wiacek had four ground balls each.

Admission to all Yale women's lacrosse home games is free.