UConn Earns Highest Ever Ranking at No. 15

STORRS, Conn. (April 26, 2005) – The University of Connecticut women’s lacrosse team (10-4, 3-2 BIG EAST) moved up to number 15 in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Top 20 poll this week. It marks the highest ranking in school history, eclipsing the previous best of number 18 set last week. Overall, it is the fourth time that the program has ever been nationally ranked, the others coming on March 24 and 31, 2003 in addition to last week’s poll. That initial week in 2003, 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 record ranking is another step in what has proven to be a monumental 2005 campaign for the Huskies thus far. UConn stands just one victory shy of breaking the school record win total of 10 set in 2000. UConn also captured its first ever winning season in BIG EAST Conference play with a 3-2 record, blemished only by losses to nationally ranked Georgetown and Syracuse. The Huskies have been led offensively by senior Tracy Mullaney. The preseason All-America selection is presently second in the BIG EAST with 54 points on the year and has set several UConn career scoring records over the course of the 2005 season while she is knocking on the door of a few seasonal records as well. Sophomore Shannon Burke is tied for fourth in the BIG EAST with her 44 points on the year. UConn’s defense has also done fine work of holding opponents at bay in 2005. The Huskies rank fourth in the nation, averaging 12.43 caused turnovers per game.

UConn will return to action on Wednesday night, April 27, when the Huskies play host to No. 19 Yale (9-6) at 7:00 p.m. at Morrone Stadium. The Huskies will wrap up their 2005 regular season on Friday afternoon when they welcome St. Bonaventure (9-5) to Storrs for a 4:00 p.m. showdown, also to be played at Morrone Stadium.