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Friday, May 1 vs. No. 19 Albany, 7:30 p.m. (in Stony Brook) | Live Video (free) | Live Stats

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VERMONT WOMEN'S LACROSSE NOTEBOOK
The third-seeded Vermont women's lacrosse team battles second-seeded and 19^th-ranked Albany this Friday (May 1) in an America East Semifinal matchup at 7:30 p.m. at LaValle Stadium in Stony Brook. Live video of the contest will be streamed for free via AmericaEast.tv, and live stats can be accessed by clicking here.
 
ABOUT VERMONT
The Catamounts ended the regular season at 11-6 overall and 4-2 in conference to earn the third seed in the America East playoffs for the second consecutive season. They enter the matchup with Albany on a two-game winning streak after topping UMass Lowell (23-9) and New Hampshire (12-10) in their final two contests. UVM's other pair of conference victories this season came against UMBC (11-10) and Binghamton (18-7).
 
Vermont is averaging 11.65 goals per game this season and allowing 10.59 to opponents. Senior Jessica Roach and junior Vanessa VanderZalm have led the attack, combining for 94 goals and 27 assists. Roach led the Catamounts in all three scoring categories, while VanderZalm topped the squad in draw controls, ground balls and caused turnovers. Alex Bernier, Alison Bolt and Elena McWright have chipped in on the offensive end, each tallying 20-plus points on the year. Senior Meg Hopkins has registered 11 wins in goal with a .414 save percentage and 10.27 goals against average in 17 starts.
 
Team Leaders
Points: Jessica Roach (75), Vanessa VanderZalm (46), Alex Bernier (23)
Goals: Roach (57), VanderZalm (37), Alison Bolt (17)
Assists: Roach (18), Bernier (10), VanderZalm (9)
Ground balls: VanderZalm (45), Meg Hopkins (37), Taylor Pedersen (28)
Caused turnovers: VanderZalm (36), Pedersen (15), Meghan Cobb (13)
Draw controls: VanderZalm (54), Bolt (26), Roach (17)
Save pct.: Hopkins (.414)
 
LAST TIME OUT
Vermont defeated New Hampshire this past Saturday on UVM's Senior Day to clinch a spot in the America East playoffs. The Catamounts topped UNH 12-10 behind five points (3 g, 2 ast) from Jessica Roach and four (2 g, 2 ast) from Danielle Seifert. Meg Hopkins made seven saves in the tilt to collect her career-high 11^th win of the season.
 
THREE STRAIGHT
With a playoff berth this season, UVM has now earned a spot in the America East tournament in three consecutive years, which is the longest streak in program history. The Catamounts have been to the playoffs a total of five times under current Head Coach, Jen Johnson.
 
ROACH'S RECORD
Senior Jessica Roach set a new Vermont single-season program record this season with 75 points, passing former teammate Sydney Mas, who tallied 70 just a season ago. Roach also sits just three goals shy of tying Mas for most goals in a single season (60) in program history.
 
SCOUTING NO. 19 ALBANY
The Great Danes, ranked 19^th in the IWLCA Coaches' Poll and 18^th in the Inside Lacrosse Poll, sit at 13-3 overall and 5-1 in America East this season. They've defeated UMass Lowell (21-1), New Hampshire (16-5), Vermont (11-1), Binghamton (17-5) and UMBC (20-5), while falling to Stony Brook (7-5) for their lone conference loss.
 
Albany is averaging the fifth-most goals per game in the nation (14.88) and owns the third-best scoring defense, allowing just 5.75 per contest. Maureen Keggins is the nation's leader with 85 points, and Rachel Bowles and Dakotah Savitcheff have chipped in with 60-plus points each on the year. Courtney Henderson owns a .483 save percentage and 5.80 goals against average in 15 starts in goal this season.
 
Team Leaders
Points: Maureen Keggins (85), Rachel Bowles (64), Dakotah Savitcheff (61)
Goals: Savitcheff (58), Bowles (49), Keggins (34)
Assists: Keggins (51), Alie Jimerson (36), Bowles (15)
Ground balls: Sarah Martin (25), Savitcheff (24), Courtney Henderson (23)
Caused turnovers: Erin Monna (14), Sierra McIver (13), Bowles (12)
Draw controls: Emma Powlin (35), Christine Johnson (30), Martin (19)
Save pct.: Henderson (.483)
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
The Catamounts and Great Danes will battle for the 18^th time in series history in the matchup on Friday. Albany topped UVM earlier this season by a final of 11-1 behind seven goals combined from Dakotah Savitcheff and Rachel Bowles. The two teams are set for a rematch of last season's America East Semifinal in which Albany earned a 12-8 victory despite three goals apiece from Marcie Marino and Jessica Roach.
 
NEXT UP
The winner of the semifinal matchup will head to the championship game to face the winner between Stony Brook and UMBC. The title game will be played on May 3 at 12 p.m. at Stony Brook's LaValle Stadium.