BIG EAST Notes - April 22 Update
Decisive Weekend Ahead
Plenty is on the line this weekend in BIG EAST women’s lacrosse. A regular-season champion will be crowned on Sunday when UConn visits No. 2/2 Florida at Noon. The winner will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming BIG EAST Championship, while the loser will be the No. 2 seed. Three teams remain in contention for the final two spots: Georgetown, Marquette and Temple.
Why We’re Watching…
Cincinnati at Temple: While a win over Cincinnati doesn’t clinch anything for the Owls, it will make their path to the BIG EAST Championship a little more seamless. If Temple falls to the Bearcats, the Owls will hope for a Georgetown slipup versus Marquette in order to create a winner-takes-all season finale between GU and TU on April 30. If Temple loses to Cinci and Georgetown tops Marquette, the Owls are eliminated from postseason contention.
Marquette at Georgetown: Win and you’re in is the name of the game for the Golden Eagles, who are on the cusp of their first BIG EAST Championship berth in program history. A win for the Hoyas keeps them in contention, but a win accompanied by a Temple loss to Cincinnati locks GU into the field. The Hoyas took this matchup last year by an 8-7 margin, with MU rallying from an 8-3 deficit to close within one in the final minutes.
UConn at #2/2 Florida: The last time these two teams met there was no love lost. Nine yellow cards were dealt as the Gators topped the Huskies on their home turf for the 2015 BIG EAST Championship crown. Now the regular-season title is on the line as the two meet in Gainesville. The winner claims not only the regular-season title but also the No. 1 seed in the upcoming BIG EAST Championship. The loser will be the No. 2 seed and will earn a date with the No. 3 team in the semifinals.
Villanova at Vanderbilt: While both are no longer in contention for postseason play, a number of players will look to end their careers on a high note and make one final statement towards BIG EAST regular-season awards. Nova’s Jackie Froccaro, BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, enters the contest with 30 goals and 40 points, while posting the third-best draw controls average (2.75) in the league. Vandy’s Mallory Schonk isn’t far behind with 39 points off 27 goals and 12 dishes, while Emma Dagres’ 1.60 caused turnovers per tilt is second in the BIG EAST.
Weekly Schedule
Wednesday
#2/2 Florida 17, Cincinnati 5*
Marquette 11, Vanderbilt 7*
UConn 9, Georgetown 8*
Temple 10, Villanova 7*^
Saturday
Cincinnati at Temple, Noon*
Marquette at Georgetown, 1 p.m.*
Sunday
Villanova at Vanderbilt, Noon*
UConn at #2/2 Florida, Noon*
All times Eastern
^BEDN
*BIG EAST contest