Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

WOMEN’S LACROSSE | ND Bout to Follow Lifeless Marquette

FILE PHOTO: ALEXANDER BROWN/THE HOYA Junior midfielder Kelyn Freedman (right) will have her hands full in the circle Sunday against Notre Dame, going head-to-head with standout Barbara Sullivan.
FILE PHOTO: ALEXANDER BROWN/THE HOYA
Junior midfielder Kelyn Freedman (right) will have her hands full in the circle Sunday against Notre Dame, going head-to-head with standout Barbara Sullivan.

This weekend, the No. 8 Georgetown women’s lacrosse team (8-2, 3-0 Big East) takes to the road to face two teams trending in very different directions: a struggling Marquette (2-10) followed by undefeated No. 5 Notre Dame (10-0, 4-0 Big East).

The fairly unintimidating Golden Eagles — who will officially join the Big East next season — should provide no real test to the Hoyas on Friday in Milwaukee, Wisc. With a rebuilt roster comprised of two seniors, one junior, three sophomores and 28 freshmen, the team has understandably endured a challenging season while dealing with inexperience and missing leadership.

Marquette’s only two wins of the season have come against relative unknowns, Winthrop and Detroit, in close, one-goal victories; the rest of their games have all resulted in sound defeats.

Most recently, Marquette was routed 21-2 by Louisville, a team that Georgetown defeated 14-11 three weeks ago. Still, though the Hoyas will be highly favored Friday, Head Coach Ricky Fried knows by now not to underestimate any team.

“[Marquette] is obviously inexperienced, but they are very enthusiastic, pretty athletic,” Fried said. “So we continue to try to send the same message to focus on how we’re playing and what we’re doing. And if we do those things, it helps us prepare for teams down the road that we may feel are more competitive.”

Two days after the Marquette contest, the Blue and Gray will square off against Notre Dame, one of only two Division I NCAA teams that have yet to lose a game. (The other is No. 1 Maryland.) Unlike Marquette, Notre Dame has both experience and confidence in spades going into this weekend, after downing conference foes Cincinnati and Louisville last week.

While Georgetown is playing a relatively weak Marquette Friday, however, Notre Dame will be taking on a talented and physical Loyola (Md.) squad. Should the Irish come into Sunday’s game drained from a long fight with the Greyhounds, the Hoyas may find themselves with an edge.

“I think on [Notre Dame’s] part, obviously they might be a little bit more fatigued but also a little bit more game ready, at least mentally,” Fried said. “Again, we try not to really focus on who we’re playing and what they’re doing, because I think if we get into the mindset that they’re going to be tired and they come out playing really well, we’re going to be on [our] heels.

“So I think it is a little bit of an advantage coming out fresh, but once the game gets started, that kind of goes out the window.”

As is the case with Georgetown, Notre Dame players are often named to the Big East weekly honor roll, with sophomore defender Barbara Sullivan leading the way with three such distinctions so far this season.

With her strength and her skill in winning draw controls, the 5-foot-10 Sullivan will surely be a threat to keep the ball away from the Hoyas’ offense on Sunday.

“She’s very good in the circles, she does a great job using her length and has really good hands,  so we are going to have to make sure we are focused on boxing her out,” Fried said. “And while she’s going to get her draw controls, [we are going to] try to minimize the opportunities she has to get those.”

Georgetown plays Marquette at 5 p.m. today in Milwaukee, and the opening draw against Notre Dame is set for 1 p.m. in South Bend, Ind., on Sunday.

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