April 26, 2001
Stanford, CA - Three-year defending Western Women's Lacrosse League champions Stanford is looking to repeat its success this year after a great season. The Cardinal finished the regular season 11-5 overall, 6-0 WWLL and on April 2 they became the first West Coast Division I school to break into the Intercollegiate Women Lacrosse Coaches Association Top 20 poll. They held onto the No. 20 spot for three straight weeks, but fell off after two losses last weekend. Despite ending the regular-season on a low point Stanford is looking to the post-season to kick things back into gear. On Saturday, April 28, they take on the St. Mary's Gaels in the WWLL North Division playoffs. Stanford goes in as the only undefeated team in their division, with a 2-0 record vs. the Gaels this season.
WWLL Wrap-up
The Cardinal began the season in February with three consecutive WWLL victories and have proven themselves unstoppable in the conference since then. Stanford opened with a 7-4 win at California, then hosted UC Davis and St. Mary's for a 10-2 win and a 9-8 win, respectively. In April, the Card returned to league play and swept their division again with three more triumphs, including the home-season closer: a 13-10 win over Bay Area rival California. Sophomore Addie Strumolo (Norfolk, CT/Taft School) and freshman Abbi Hills (Lakewood, CO/Colorado Academy) led the team with 3 goals a piece and sophomore Liz Lanese (St. Louis, MO/Mary Institute & St. Louis CDS) added 2 goals and 3 assists. Sophomore Rachael Neumann (Woodbury, NY/Syosset HS) started for the Cardinal and recorded 13 saves in goal and freshman Sara Shamos (Denver, CO/Colorado Academy), in her sixth appearance off the bench, came in and tallied 2 saves.
The following weekend Stanford traveled to Davis and handed the Aggies their third conference loss of the season, beating them 7-4. Junior tri-captain Caroline Osterwise (Villanova, PA/Harriton HS) finished with 3 goals and 3 groundballs, while sophomore Lauren Dietrich (Shaker Heights, OH/Shaker Heights HS) put in 2 goals and assisted for 1. Last Thursday, the Card took on the St. Mary's Gaels for the second time this season and stomped them 15-7. Senior tri-captain Katharine Barnes (Northhampton, MA (Deerfield Academy) recorded a season and team-high 6 goals, she leads the team this season with 38 goals and 8 assists, giving her a total of 46 points. Just behind her are Hills and Lanese who have 37 points a piece, Hills has 30 goals and 7 assists and Lanese has 28 goals and 9 assists.