Game No One’s Talking About
Vanderbilt at No. 10 Florida
Vanderbilt isn’t garnering the type of attention one would expect of an 11-win team in mid-April. Double-digit losses to Notre Dame and North Carolina in February might have taken them off radars long enough for people to not realize that the Commodores are riding a nine-game winning streak into a pivotal doubleheader this weekend against Florida, the other 6-0 team in the AAC.
Outside of a win over Louisville and a close loss to North Carolina, Florida’s resume includes a loss to Jacksonville and nothing resembling a season-defining win. Vanderbilt has the opportunity to march into Gainesville and get on national radars this weekend.
UPSET WATCH
James Madison at No. 19 Towson
Drexel has positioned itself as the cream of the crop in the CAA with a handful of other teams trading quality wins (and sometimes unexpected upsets). James Madison has lost to Elon and Hofstra (though the Hofstra game was technically a non-conference affair) but still has the talent. Towson found its way onto the national scene with a defeat of Loyola but has since been anything but dominant.
James Madison needs a resume-booster at this point in the spring, and beating a ranked Towson team would certainly help. The Dukes have won the last four matchups and seven of the last eight.
MILESTONE WATCH
Janine Tucker, Johns Hopkins
The legendary coach of Johns Hopkins is just one win away from becoming the ninth coach in Division I women’s lacrosse history to reach 300 victories. She gets her next chance at the milestone on Sunday at 1 p.m. on the road against Penn State.
Under-the-Radar Stars
Meredith Chapman, Virginia
The High Point transfer has been one of the best defensive players in the nation, but by nature of her position, Chapman doesn’t always get the most attention. She’s totaled 29 ground balls, 18 caused turnovers and 20 draw controls.
Emily Sterling, Maryland
The sophomore goalie played one of the best games of her young career on Wednesday, making 10 saves in a pivotal 9-8 win over Johns Hopkins. In big games, Sterling shows up.
Gabby Fornia, Vanderbilt
The national leader total assists isn’t Katie Hoeg or Livy Rosenzweig. It’s Fornia, the Commodores’ offensive leader who has been putting up absurd numbers this spring.
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