NATIONALLY-RANKED VANDERBILT UPENDS WOMEN'S LACROSSE IN SEASON OPENER

     Nashville , Tenn. ? Margie Curran and Cara Giordano scored four goals apiece to lead Vanderbilt, the nation's 19th-ranked women's lacrosse team, to an 18-5 victory over UAlbany in the season opener for both teams on Monday, Feb. 19 at Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex.

     The Commodores, who are ranked by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA), scored six times in the opening eight minutes of play.  Curran, who entered the contest with more than 100 career points, scored back-to-back goals nine seconds apart to ignite that early run.  Giordano, a sophomore midfielder, then found the net from the top of the crease before later converting a pair of free-position opportunities.

     Anastasia Adam, a freshman, and Kendall Thrift each had a pair of first-half goals in staking Vanderbilt to a 13-1 halftime advantage.  Thrift, a senior attack, finished with three goals and one assist.  The Commodores, who compete in the American Lacrosse Conference, meet top-ranked Northwestern in their next outing on Feb. 25.

     The Great Danes' Kayla Best scored twice early in the final period.  A 2006 U.S. Lacrosse high school All-American, Best was playing in her first game as a collegian.  Sarah Spillett, Julie Bush and Christine Grueniger added unassisted goals.  Senior goalkeeper Jen Daly, the school's all-time saves leader, stopped nine shots.

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No. 19 Vanderbilt 18, UAlbany 5

     UAlbany ? Scoring -- Kayla Best 2-0, Sarah Spillett 1-0, Julie Bush 1-0, Christine Grueniger 1-0; Goalkeeper(s) ? Jen Daly (60:00, 18 GA, 9 saves).

     Vanderbilt ? Scoring ? Margie Curran 4-1, Cara Giordano 4-0, Kendal Thrift 3-1, Anastasia Adam 2-1, Sarah Downing 1-1, Nicole Pugno 1-0, Carter Foote 1-0, Ali Lemons 1-0, Laura Keenan 1-0, Jennifer Tapscott 0-1, Allie Frank 0-1; Goalkeeper(s) ? Brooke Shinaberry (46:07, 4 GA, 5 saves), Rachel Woolford (13:53, 1 GA, 1 save).