Sports | 5/7/08

Media Credit: Patrick Smith Head coach Missy Doherty, second from right, gathers the Tigers at a practice Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the opening round NCAA Tournament game against Syracuse. From left, junior Hillary Fratzke, freshman Jackie Dysert and junior Julie Ondrako listen in. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Patrick Smith Sophomore midfielder Nikki Marcinik attacks the goal during a dodging drill at Johnny Unitas Stadium Wednesday afternoon. Marcinik and the Tigers will face fifth-seeded Syracuse in the first round of the NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championships on Sunday. [Click to enlarge]

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To begin the Towson's 2008 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament run, the Tigers will travel north to face Syracuse Sunday in a rematch of a March 19 contest.

After being dealt their worst loss of the season to the Orange, 22-5, the Tigers (13-5) said they are confident they've learned from their mistakes and can put the loss behind them.

"Earlier in the season, that was definitely not our best game," senior goaltender Mandy Corry said. "We've improved, and we will definitely give them a run for their money this time."

After winning the CAA Tournament last week, the team was rewarded for their efforts as head coach Missy Doherty was named US Lacrosse Women's Coach of the Week.

"Those kind of awards are a reflection of the team's success and how well they have done," Doherty said. "So it's kind of a nice accomplishment, and you are flattered by it and thankful that you have had a great season."

Towson, though, is not taking Syracuse lightly.

The Orange come in riding a nine game win streak. With a 16-2 overall record, Syracuse is led by junior attacker Katie Rowan, who with 66 goals and 57 assists has been named as a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist, given annually to the nation's top men's and women's lacrosse player. She is joined on the attack by sophomore Halley Quillinan and sophomore midfielder Christina Dove, who each have scored more than 55 goals this season.

"Syracuse is a great team, and playing them in the Carrier Dome is definitely a home-field advantage [for them]," Doherty said. "I know we can bring a better game to Syracuse this time around; we've matured a lot and we are ready to take a good game to Syracuse."

Corry, who was named the CAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Performer, said she is "definitely" playing her best lacrosse of the season.

"It's getting toward the end," Corry said. "It's my senior season, and you have to pick up the intensity and rise to the occasion. It's an honor to go up and play there because of the history and significance [the Carrier Dome] has. It's a great opportunity."

The Tigers are no slouches on the offensive end, either.

Towson has its own Tewaaraton Trophy candidate in star junior attacker Hillary Fratzke, who leads the team in both goals (59) and assists (24). With help from sophomores Jacie Kendall, Nikki Marcinik, and fellow juniors Britt Woodfield and Meggie McNamara, the team is deep in both skill level and speed.

Fratzke said the team has more experience late in the season than in previous years.

"We've just been building this entire season," Fratzke said. "One of the things that we've struggled with in the past is that we've been a younger team, and the experience wasn't always there. But now we have the experience. We need to be confident and think of them not as Syracuse, the No. 5 team in the nation, but as Syracuse, our opponent."

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