NCAA lacrosse tournament capsules, 5/21/10

Quarterfinal sites for the men’s tournament were decided before the season, leaving a tough draw for the No. 1 seeded Cavaliers (15-1) at the No. 8 Seawolves (13-3). Virginia has beaten Stony Brook each of the last five seasons, including 13-8, on Feb. 27 in Charlottesville as it dominated ground balls, 46-30. Both teams have high-powered offenses. The Seawolves have two of the nation’s top six scorers in junior midfielder Kevin Crowley (74 points), a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist, and senior Tom Compitello (71 points). Virginia answers with feeder Steele Stanwick (54 points) and dynamic midfield twins Shamel Bratton (37 points) and Rhamel Bratton (22 goals). This is the first time Stony Brook has made the quarterfinals. Virginia is seeking its fifth national championship. Winner will play UNC or Duke.

North Carolina vs. Duke
Where » Class of 1952 Stadium, Princeton, N.J.
When » Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
TV » ESPNU

Not much separates the No. 4 Tar Heels (13-2) and No. 5 Blue Devils (13-4). When the ACC rivals met on Mar. 10, Duke had no answer for UNC attackmen Billy Bitter and Thomas Wood, who combined for nine goals in a 13-7 loss. But much has changed since. Duke has won 11 of its last 12, including an 18-5 rout of Johns Hopkins last week, while injury-riddled UNC continued its late-season struggles, squeaking past Delaware, 14-13. Duke’s high powered-offense features the nation’s No. 1 playmaker, Tewaaraton finalist Ned Crotty (57 assists), and No. 2 goal scorer, Max Quinzani (61 goals). Duke beat UNC at this stage last year, 12-11. Carolina has not made the Final Four since 1993. Duke has gone four of the last five years, but has yet to win a title. Winner will meet Virginia or Stony Brook.

Cornell vs. Army
Where » LaValle Stadium, Stony Brook, N.Y.
When » Sunday, noon
TV » ESPNU

Coming off its shocking upset of two-time defending NCAA champion Syracuse, the unseeded Black Knights (11-5) will try to take down another in-state rival in the No. 7 Big Red (11-5). Teams met on March 6 in Ithaca, Cornell winning, 12-11, on an OT goal by Ryan Hurley. The key stat in that game: Cornell’s Austin Boykin winning 19 of 23 faceoffs. Army is led by feeder Jeremy Boltus (66 points) and finisher Garrett Thul (40 goals). Cornell counters with playmaker Rob Pannel (74 points) and sniper Hurley (41 goals). Army leads the series 23-13. Winner will meet Maryland or Notre Dame.

WOMEN’S NCAA CAPSULES
(click here for the men’s capsules)

Virginia at North Carolina
Where » Fetzer Field, Chapel Hill
When » Saturday, 1 p.m.

After opening the tournament with an emotional 14-12 victory over Towson, 13 days following the murder of Yeardley Love, No. 6 seeded Virginia (14-5) advances to a quarterfinal game against No. 3 UNC (16-2). When the teams met on Mar. 6, the Cavaliers won 13-12 on five goals by freshman Ainsley Baker, including the clincher in OT. Baker is one of three Virginia starters who has gone down for the season with torn ACLs. Tewaaraton finalist Jenn Russell paces UNC. Winner will face Duke or Northwestern.

Penn at Maryland
Where » Ludwig Field, College Park
When » Saturday, noon

The No. 8 Quakers (15-3) have a difficult test against No. 1 Maryland (19-1). On April 2, Penn lost to Maryland, 12-6, as Karri Ellen Johnson scored four goals. Ali DeLuca (70 points) is the top threat for the Quakers. Johnson (76 points) and Tewaaraton finalist Caitlyn McFadden (70 points) are the top threats for the Terps. Maryland’s lone loss came to North Carolina. Winner will play James Madison or Syracuse. No school has more national championships than Maryland (nine), which seeks its first title since 2001.

Syracuse at JMU
Where » JMU Lacrosse Complex, Harrisonburg, Va.
When » Saturday, 1 p.m.

After pulling off the lone upset in the opening round, 15-8 at Georgetown behind freshman Tegan Brown’s seven points, Syracuse (14-6) travels to No. 5 James Madison (17-2). The Orange overcame a Hoyas squad it had lost to twice this month. Kim Griffin (61 points) and Mary Kate Lomady (56 points) are the top threats for JMU. Syracuse answers with Christina Dove (94 points) and Tee Ladouceur (85 points). Winner will face Penn or Maryland.

Duke at Northwestern
Where » Lakeside Field, Evanston, Ill.
When » Saturday, 2 p.m.

No. 7 Duke (14-5) is one of four ACC teams left in the quarterfinals. Four ACC team are also alive in the men’s quarterfinals. This is likely the end of the road for the Blue Devils, however, against the five-time defending NCAA champion and No. 2 seed Northwestern (18-1). Wildcats are propelled by Tewaaraton finalist Katrina Dowd, who paces NU in goals (71), assists (31), and ground balls (39). Duke answers with Christie Kaestner (67 points) and Lindsay Gilbride (62 points). Winner faces Virginia or UNC.