SPORTS

 

DAVIDSON, N.C. — With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Davidson Wildcats will play host to George Washington this Friday, as the ‘Cats look to remain perfect in Atlantic 10 action.

First draw is slated for 5:30 p.m., with live stats and ESPN+ coverage available at davidsonwildcats.com/coverage.

WHAT YOU’VE MISSED… This year, the ‘Cats are having one of their most prolific seasons in program history, having picked up their first win over a ranked opponent, grabbed their first win over VCU since 2017 and started A-10 play at 4-0 for the first time ever. Along the way, Davidson has won five straight games and swept the season series against George Mason while leading the Atlantic 10 in shot percentage (.475), save percentage (.505) and caused turnovers (108).

ABOUT THE COLONIALS… George Washington is 5-5 overall on the year and 2-3 in league play. The Colonials lost by just one goal to conference favorite, No. 19 Richmond, back on March 26, and average 11.2 goals per game from 19.6 shots on goal per game. Historically, Davidson is 4-3 against GW, since joining the Atlantic 10 in 2014-15, and won the most recent meeting between the two teams, 18-7 back on March 28 in Washington D.C. The Wildcats are just 2-2 in the all-time series, when hosting the Colonials at Richardson Stadium.

COOKE’S UP A STORM… Sophomore Erin Cooke has been on an offensive tear over the last several weeks, scoring four points or more in her last five games and combining for 13 points last weekend. Against VCU last Friday, Cooke recorded a career-high seven points off four goals and three assists and added six more points during Davidson’s dominating 16-4 win against George Mason on Sunday.

SISTER, SISTER… Davidson’s sisterly duo, of Julianne Carey and Olivia Carey, has made a splash this season, as the freshman/senior pair has combined for 58 of the Wildcats’ 230 total points. With 12 assists each, the two are tied for the second most dishes on the team, with Julianne also grabbing 48 draw controls and seven A-10 Rookie of the Week awards, the most for a freshman in the history of Atlantic 10 lacrosse.

BETWEEN THE PIPES… Netminder Amanda Monahan has been pivotal in Davidson’s 9-2 season thus far, with the sophomore ranking third among the Atlantic 10 in goals against (9.19) and saves percentage (.503). A Massachusetts native, Monahan has been named the A-10’s Defensive Player of the Week three times this season, picking up her most recent award on Tuesday, April 13. Last weekend, Monahan stopped 14 shots, including 12 saves during a 15-9 win over VCU, as the ‘Cats defeated the Rams for the first time since 2017.

UNSUNG HEROES… Davidson’s defense is the unsung hero of the 2021 campaign for the ‘Cats, as the team ranks 20th in the nation with 9.82 caused turnovers per game and aids Amanda Monahan with her 9.19 goals against average. As a unit, Davidson’s defensive goals against average ranks 11th in the nation. Senior defender Natalie Junior also helps the ‘Cats’ defense, causing 2.09 caused turnovers per game, good for 17th across Division I women’s lacrosse.