After opening the season with a pair of wins, the Virginia women's lacrosse team faces Top 25 opponent Old Dominion at 4 p.m. today at Klöckner Stadium.
The No. 4 Cavaliers (2-0), who have pocketed wins against Richmond and No. 16 Syracuse are looking for an offensive performance like the one they put together in their home opener Sunday against the Orangewomen. Senior midfielder Amy Fromal and junior attacker Mills Hook scored four goals apiece in Virginia's 16-5 win. Sophomore attacker Gina Sambus chipped in with a hat trick.
The No. 19 Lady Monarchs have not played a regular season game yet but should rely on a trio of seniors: midfielders Pam Seebald and Amy Wade and attacker Jenna Bajus.
"ODU is a very, very, very aggressive team," Cav senior defender Ashley Widger said. "It's a great primer. It's going to be a toughie, but if we play like we did [against Syracuse] and go with our guts and our hustle, everything falls into place."
Widger said overall flexibility is the Cavs' greatest strength. Several players, including Hook and 1999 leading scorer Jamie Haas, can play a variety of positions.
"We have so much depth," Widger said. "We say that every year, but this year we're really using it. All your players need to be able to play both ends of the field."
The Cavs also will concentrate on maintaining possession, especially since the lack of contact in women's lacrosse makes it difficult to cause turnovers.
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"Every possession we have is key," Hook said. Holding on to "every ball we have instead of throwing it away and taking risks ... is important."
The Cavaliers hope their season-opening string of four non-conference games will prepare them well for their ACC opener at No. 1 Maryland March 14.
"I think we have the perfect" schedule," Widger said. "Richmond was a good game to get us moving. Syracuse is a very aggressive team, and ODU is a little bit more skilled and a very aggressive team."
Widger said the Cavs are confident they can extend their season-opening win streak to three games and solidify their top-five national ranking.
"If we want it bad enough, I think we'll definitely get every game we want to win," Hook said.
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