NCAA Lacrosse: Virginia Men’s Lacrosse Team Featured In “There And Back: All Access With Virginia Lacrosse” (Video)

Follow the University of Virginia’s men’s lacrosse team as it journeys through the 2012 season attempting to reclaim the National Championship, which it achieved in an exciting and unlikely fashion in 2011. This all-access show will provide an inside look into one of the most successful and respected programs in recent memory, led by the NCAA’s all-time winningest Division I lacrosse coach, Dom Starsia. All-Americans Steele Stanwick and Colin Briggs are two of the game’s best players who thrive on performing on the big stage. After experiencing the ultimate success there last Memorial Day, both are hungry to get back to the championship game.

NCAA Lacrosse: #1 Northwestern Women’s Lacrosse Stays Unbeaten With 13-6 Win Over Vanderbilt On March 23 (Video)

No. 1 Northwestern saw a five-goal advantage shrink to just one early in the second half of its American Lacrosse Conference opener against No. 11 Vanderbilt, but the Wildcats scored the next five goals to pull away and defeat the ‘Dores, 13-6, Friday at Lakeside Field. Junior Erin Fitzgerald contributed a pair of free-position goals to that 5-0 run and finished with a team-best four scores on the day, while Brianne LoMantonotched a season-high 10 saves between the pipes for NU.

Senior Shannon Smith scored three goals to surpass the 300-point plateau for her career and junior Taylor Thorntonalso netted a hat trick, helping the Wildcats win for the 11th straight time against the Commodores.

With periods of pouring rain disrupting the flow of the game early on, Smith was able to put the hosts on top just over five minutes in when she worked off the crease for an unassisted goal, giving her exactly 300 points for her career and sole possession of third on the school’s all-time scoring list.

Five minutes later, Fitzgerald struck off a pass from behind the net by Casey Bocklet, a goal that was answered shortly thereafter by Vanderbilt’s Kendall Pittinger. With the rain making it difficult to even hold onto the ball, both teams were kept scoreless until Smith created for herself once again with 12:37 to go before half.

Women’s Club Lacrosse: Latest WCLA Poll Features Florida Club Women’s Lacrosse At #1 Followed By UC Santa Barbara, BYU, Michigan Club And Colorado State

1. Florida Club (12-2) The Gators survived a thriller at Central Florida on St. Patrick’s Day. The top team in the nation should have good momentum heading into the SWLL Tournament.

2. UC Santa Barbara (8-1) Nearly beat out Florida for the top ranking in this week’s poll. The Gauchos’ only blemish is to Michigan Club. Back in action a week from Friday on March 30 against San Diego.

3. Brigham Young (7-2) The Cougars look to continue their six game winning streak with games against UNLV and Utah State on Saturday.

4. Michigan Club (5-2) The Wolverines may have taken out any frustration over their loss to Pitt in a 19-5 thumping of Western Michigan on March 18. Michigan hosts Ferris State and Central Michigan on Saturday.

5. Colorado State (5-3) Received a first-place vote in this week’s poll. Returns to action the weekend of March 30-31 after a few weeks off.

6. UCLA (8-2) The Bruins point out on Twitter that seven of the top 20 teams in this week’s poll are from the WWLL. Check them out @UCLAWLax.

7. Santa Clara (8-2) Junior Maggie Burke leads the Broncos with 55 goals so far this year. She led the team last season in goals and finished 2011 with 51. How high will she score this year with a half-dozen games remaining?

8. Georgia (7-5) The Bulldogs will look to fight off a hungry South Carolina club that has been off for almost a month.

9. Chapman (7-2) The defending WCLA Division II champs move to NCAA Division III next season, but first things first. Is another deep postseason run in the cards for the WCLA Division I one-and-done Panthers?

T-10. Colorado (5-3) Another team looking to get off the bench after nearly a month off, Colorado returns to action on March 30-31. The Buffa are one of just two teams to beat top-ranked Florida Club this year.

T-10. Pittsburgh (5-3) Gary Neft has the Panthers on cloud nine after beating rival Michigan. Will that translate into momentum for the postseason?

12. Texas (7-4) Clayton Crum and the Longhorns are ready to face three in-state rivals over the weekend with games against Texas Tech, North Texas and Texas A&M.

13. UC Davis Club (5-5) UC Davis’ next game is against Texas on March 30.

14. Maryland Club (7-3) Travels to Pittsburgh next Saturday in a big test for both teams. Maryland is on a three-game winning streak after dropping three of four in early March.

15. Central Florida (11-2) Actually climbed a spot in the poll despite losing a heart breaker to Florida Club on St. Patrick’s Day. The Knights face 0-4 Alabama on Sunday.

16. Cal Poly (4-6) Has lost four straight by an average of two goals. Faces No. 9-ranked Chapman on March 31.

17. Virginia Club (5-4) Off until an April 13 tilt against Virginia Tech Club. The Cavaliers then head into the MAWLL Playoffs on April 21.

18. Minnesota (2-6) Faces Gustavus Adolphus on Monday to open its NCWLL-Plains schedule.

T-19. California Club (8-4) The Bears hit the top 20 with one-goal wins over San Diego and Cal Poly last week.

T-19. South Carolina Club (5-2) Should give Georgia a run for their money in the Gamecocks’ final regular season game.

For more:  http://www.laxmagazine.com/college_women/club/2011-12/news/032312_wcla_notebook_top_20_breakdown