April 21, 2004

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason University's women's lacrosse team climbed up a spot for the second consecutive week, settling in at No. 18 in the latest Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) top 20 and Warrior/Inside Lacrosse polls, released Monday. It marks the fourth consecutive week the Patriots have been ranked in the top 20. Princeton continues to headline the rankings, followed Maryland and Georgetown.

The Patriots played three contests last week, going 2-1 overall. Against then-No. 7 Virginia, Mason held its own before falling 10-5 in Charlottesville. Then, in control of their own postseason hopes, George Mason delivered with thrilling Colonial Athletic Association wins over Drexel (17-8) and Hofstra (13-4) to secure its 11th consecutive CAA Tournament berth. A victory Wednesday (tonight) over No. 8 James Madison and a William & Mary loss to Old Dominion would give the Patriots the No. 4 seed in the tournament, held May 1-2 at the highest seed.

Three players are ranked in the latest NCAA statistics for all games played through April 18. Junior goalkeeper Meg Dentler (Crofton, MD) moved up to 10th in the nation in save percentage, stopping 56.9 percent of shots on goals. She has started every game in goal this season, making 157 saves, and owns a 9.92 goals-against average. Sophomore defender Michele Brady (Fairfax, VA) paces the team with 28 caused turnovers and is listed No. 4 nationally, averaging 2.33 per game. Teammate and junior Brandi Evans (Fort Howard, MD) is eighth, averaging 2.08 per game. As a unit, the defense is ranked No. 2 nationally in caused turnovers at 12.83 per contest.

Game time at James Madison is set for 4 p.m.

Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Poll (April 19, 2004)

Rank, School, Points
1. Princeton, 300
2. Maryland, 281
3. Georgetown, 255
4. Virginia, 250
5. Loyola, 239
6. Notre Dame, 235
7. Duke, 10-4
8. James Madison, 197
9. Johns Hopkins, 168
10. Vanderbilt, 157
11. Northwestern, 153
12. Dartmouth, 141
13. Syracuse, 124
14. Yale, 100
15. North Carolina, 94
16. Towson, 72
17. William & Mary, 57
18. George Mason, 40
19. Penn State, 34
20. Stanford, 21
ARV: New Hampshire