Lacrosse Eyes Playoff Bid against Vermont Saturday
April 29, 2011 | Women's Lacrosse
April 29, 2011
Watch | Game Notes
Vote Downey, Etrasco for AE Fans' Choice Player of the Year
BOSTON - The Boston University lacrosse team will look to clinch its 13th consecutive America East tournament berth on Saturday (April 30) when it visits Vermont in its regular-season finale. Opening draw is set at noon.
With a win against the Catamounts, the Terriers (7-8, 3-2 AE) will secure their spot within the four-team tournament field. If BU falls to Vermont, it will need New Hampshire to lose to Binghamton on Sunday (May 1) to reach the postseason.
In their last game, the Terriers snapped a four-game losing streak and two-game conference skid with a dominant 12-3 victory against Stony Brook. Eight players garnered at least one point, while five Terriers notched multi-point games. BU has allowed less than 10 goals in all seven of its victories.
In league contests, sophomore Danielle Etrasco ranks third in the conference in goals per game (3.40), and junior Catie Tilton's 1.80 assists per game are good for second. The pair has registered at least one point in each game.
Senior Corcoran Downey paces the league in ground balls per game (3.00) and is tied for third in caused turnovers per game (1.40), while classmate Rachel Collins ranks third in draw controls per game (3.40).
Vermont (8-8, 2-3 AE) will enter the game in a similar situation as the Terriers. A Catamount win will secure the team a tournament berth, while a loss will force them out of the playoff picture.
The Catamounts are led by freshman Sydney Mas' 50 goals and 58 points. She is just the second player in conference history to record at least 50 goals as a rookie (BU's Jenny Hauser scored 54 goals in 2005). In all games, Mas leads America East in goals per game (3.33) and points per game (3.87) and ranks second in draw controls per game (3.53).
Senior Megan MacDonald ranks fourth in the conference with 2.19 ground balls per game and junior Caitie Izzo is second in caused turnovers per game (1.62).
BU is 17-3 all-time against the Catamounts and has won its last 15 matchups against Vermont.
