University of Richmond Athletics
Wo Men's Lacrosse Hosts Duke In Opener Friday
02/16/2012 | Women's Lacrosse
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond women's lacrosse hosts No. 5 Duke Friday at 3 p.m. at Robins Stadium.
Richmond, the 2011 regular season champion runner-up, was selected to finish second in the A-10 as announced by the league office earlier this month. The Spiders were 6-1 in league play last season, and finished 10-9 overall.
Richmond returns seven starters from last year's squad, including two-time Midfielder of the Year Mary Flowers. Flowers was recently named to the prestigious 2012 Tewaaraton Watch List. The Tewaaraton Award honors the nation's top male and female collegiate lacrosse players and is endorsed by the Mohawk Nation Council of Elders and US Lacrosse.
The Virginia Beach, Va. native led the nation and league in ground balls per game (4.14) and also was tops in the A-10 in points (65) and draw controls (3.79). The two-time Player of the Week ranked third in the conference in goals per game (2.64) and assists per game (1.64). Flowers was also selected as a Synapsesports.com All-American third team.
The Spiders also return All-Rookie honoree and Synapsesports.com All-American Rookie Taylor Blazer. The Berlin, Md. native started every game for the Spiders last season and topped the team in caused turnovers (35) and finished 11th in the nation in caused turnovers (1.88) per game. Blazer also finished second in ground balls (49) and third in draw controls (35).
The Spiders welcome 11 newcomers to this year's lineup, including Colorado Sportswoman of the Year Bailey Zerr.
The Spiders fell to No. 4 Duke 20-12 last season, as Sam Stevenson led Richmond with four goals. Kara Moschetti, Jen Zoltoski, Hayley Ross and Flowers added one goal apiece.
Richmond hosts No. 3 North Carolina Sunday at 2 p.m. at Robins Stadium.
