UConn Cracks IWLCA Top 20 Poll

STORRS, Conn. (April 19, 2005) – The University of Connecticut women’s lacrosse team (9-3, 3-1 BIG EAST) checked in at No. 18 in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Top 20 poll this week. It marks just the third time that the program has ever been nationally ranked, the others coming on March 24 and 31, 2003. That initial week, UConn was ranked No. 20 by the IWLCA after upsetting No. 15 Vanderbilt to improve to 3-1. The Huskies would move up one spot to No. 19 the following week before a weekend sweep at No. 15 Notre Dame and Northwestern dropped the Huskies out of the poll.

The ranking is just another step in what has proven to be a monumental 2005 campaign for the Huskies thus far. UConn has already secured its third overall winning record in school history while it presently stands just one victory shy of tying the school record win total of 10 set in 2000. UConn has also secured its first ever winning season in BIG EAST Conference play and, with a win on Saturday at No. 8 Georgetown, would claim at least a share of its first ever BIG EAST championship. The Huskies have been led offensively by senior Tracy Mullaney. The preseason All-America selection is presently tied for the BIG EAST lead in goals with 37 and has set several UConn career scoring records over the course of the 2005 season. UConn’s defense has also done fine work of holding opponents at bay in 2005. The Huskies rank fourth in the nation, averaging 13.42 caused turnovers per game.

UConn will return to action on Tuesday afternoon, April 19, when the Huskies play host to New Hampshire at 3:00 p.m. at Morrone Stadium.