Yesterday's matchup with in-state rival George Mason would have been important for the Virginia women's lacrosse team no matter where it came on the schedule. But for the 10 Cav seniors whose feet would be scrambling on the grass of Klöckner Stadium for the last time, it was especially significant.
In their last home game of the regular season, the No. 8 Cavaliers (10-4, 1-2 ACC) captured their third straight win, sailing past No. 14 George Mason (7-7) in a lopsided 13-4 victory.
The Virginia seniors came out with emotion and fire. They were involved in eight of the 13 Cav goals.
The Cavs dominated the evening, coming out with a pair of goals in the game's first two minutes. In addition to the outstanding offense, the Virginia defense made it tough for George Mason. The Cavaliers held the Patriots scoreless in the first half, allowing them only five shots. At the break, the Virginia lead was 9-0.
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"We concentrated a lot more on attack today," said redshirt junior Jamie Haas, who posted game highs for the Cavaliers with three goals and four assists. "We concentrated on trying to stay spread out and allowing more options and better shots. We also came out really strong."
The second half featured a small offensive drought for Virginia, who scored only one goal in the first 24 minutes of the half. Mason made a run during this drought with four straight goals to cut the Cav lead to 10-4.
"We were taking more chances" in the second half, Virginia coach Julie Myers said. "You can't try to thread every needle and get a goal at the end of it."
But in the end, the Cavaliers put the Patriots away, capping off the win by scoring four goals in the game's final six minutes.
The Virginia seniors were out in full force in their final regular season home game. Midfielders Amy Fromal and Jill Hansen scored two goals apiece, with Fromal adding one assist. Defender Stephy Samaras notched one goal and attacker Kelly Allenbach recorded one assist.
"It was senior day, so we went with a different lineup," Myers said. "All of our fourth years were able to start the game, and I thought they were all able to contribute and do a really nice job. I was excited for them, excited for the team and excited to finish strong here in our last home game."
But the old-timers weren't the only ones that contributed on the attack.
Besides Haas, the midfield sister combo of freshman Lauren Aumiller and junior Lacey Aumiller dominated the end of the first half, contributing to the last three goals before the break. Junior Mills Hook also added a goal.
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