Kalkstein proves to be all-purpose threat for third-ranked Cavs

Eventually Myers decided to split the difference and put the Roland Park graduate at midfield, a decision she has reaped the benefits of all season. Kalkstein goes into the NCAA tournament with 39 goals and seven assists, which included three goals in last Sunday?s 12-6 victory over North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament finals.

“Brittany has been outstanding for us this season,” Myers said. “We knew she was going to be a good player; we just didn?t know she would be this good.”

Kalkstein?s performance has not gone unnoticed by those outside of Virginia, either, as last week she was named the ACC freshman of the year. Along with being third on the third-ranked Cavaliers in scoring, Kalkstein set a school freshman single-season record with 51 draw controls.

Myers said Kalkstein ? who had three draw controls against North Carolina in the ACC finals ? will need to be on top of her game if Virginia wants to win the school?s first national title since 2004.

“As Brittany gets older, she?s only going to get better,” Myers said. “Which is scary since she is already a player who plays well beyond her years. We?ve put ourselves in a great place at this point going into the tournament, and we feel like we are just starting to hit our peak.”

Kalkstein, who also played basketball and field hockey at Roland Park, said her freshman yearhas gone even better than she had hoped for and would like nothing more than to play in the Final Four May 25 and 27 at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

“I love playing on the midfield because I didn?t want to be stuck on one side of the field,” Kalkstein said. “Right now we have the momentum going into the tournament, and we have to remain focused, and do what we did last week, including coming up with draw controls and not making mistakes a crucial times.”

Showtime

The pairings for the NCAA women?s lacrosse tournament will be announced at 8 p.m. tonight.