Following defender Liz Downs' notable high school lacrosse career, both collegiate coaches and fans alike expected her to exhibit similar greatness in the NCAA ranks. Many athletes may have wilted under the pressure of living up to such high expectations, but Downs has thrived throughout her storied four-year career at Virginia, which is about to come to a close next month pending the Cavaliers' ability to earn an NCAA Tournament berth.
From the moment Downs stepped out onto the field donning a Virginia uniform four years ago, she has earned praise and recognition for her individual efforts both on and off the field. The Alexandria, Va. native received national accolades following each of her first three seasons, and this season, the senior co-captain has positioned herself to earn her most prestigious honor yet: National Player of the Year.
Last week, Downs was included on a list of 24 finalists for the Tewaaraton Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding player in women's college lacrosse. As a player who contributes in an often unheralded position, Downs was surprised by the honor of being considered for the prize.
"I never thought as a line-defender that I would have a chance to win this award," Downs said. "I never thought I would stand out enough."
Although it is difficult to quantify the impact of Downs' contributions during her career, she has managed to tally impressive numbers in the limited statistical categories available for defenders. In 2011 alone, Downs has collected 28 ground balls and forced 19 turnovers - good for second-best on the team in both categories and a mark of the continual improvement she has demonstrated since arriving in Charlottesville.
"I think she'll leave as one of our best man-to-man matchup defenders ever," coach Julie Myers said. "She's tough to get around and makes the defense worlds better with her presence, her footwork and her speed."
Before helping improve the Cavaliers' defense, Downs made a name for herself at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School in Alexandria. Downs was named the Virginia State Player of the Year after leading her team to a state title during her senior year. The standout defender also managed to serve as a leader on the field - a difficult feat on a team rife with collegiate-level talent.
"Liz is somebody that [St. Stephen's & St. Agnes coach Kathleen Jenkins] started talking about since seventh or eighth grade," Myers recalled. "Recruiting then was slower than it is now, but Liz was a [player] that we knew before she hit the high-school level."
But as one of Inside Lacrosse's top-25 recruits of 2007, Downs did not always know Virginia was where she eventually would end up. She had no shortage of options from which to choose, especially hailing from a recruiting hotbed in the Washington metropolitan area. For Downs, the decision to play for the Cavaliers came down to familiarity with the program because of her friendships with former high-school teammates and then-Cavaliers Jen Holden, Jenny Hauser and Kendall McBrearty.
Although the star defender has experienced many memorable moments since making her initial choice to play for Myers, one particular game stands out in Downs' mind as the most lasting memory of her career: last season's NCAA first-round victory against Towson. The game marked the Cavaliers' first appearance after the death of teammate Yeardley Love. Downs continues to cherish the way her team rallied around each other to offer support during such a trying time.
"Playing Towson, with that being such an emotional time, was special," Downs said. "I'll never forget that game. It really showed our strength as a team."
One season later, Downs is continually working to strengthen the Cavaliers' unit by serving as a role model for the team's 11 freshmen. Teammates describe Downs as a "quiet leader" and value her uncanny ability to sense when her fellow Cavaliers need words of encouragement, especially during times of adversity.
"I definitely look up to her as a person and a player," sophomore defender Megan Dunleavy said. "She'll do whatever she can to help herself and anyone around her get better."
Downs, meanwhile, believes that the infusion of youth on the 2011 Virginia team also has elevated her own on-field performance.
"Every year is a unique team, and this team is as close as any team I've been on," Downs said. "[The freshmen] fit in really well ... They came in with a lot of energy, which makes the game that much more fun for all of [the veterans]."
Downs hopes she and the freshmen can claim Downs' most coveted prize - her first national championship - before she graduates next month with a degree in art history, nearly four full seasons and more than 72 consecutive starts after stepping foot on Grounds.
"I'm glad the season's not over yet," Downs said. "I just want to keep playing, and I think I can still do more to help my team."
Downs still has at least two regular season opportunities to propel her team to its 16th-straight NCAA bid. The No. 11 Cavaliers square off against No. 12 James Madison tomorrow before returning home for a matchup against No. 5 Northwestern Saturday, during which Downs will be honored for her contributions to the Virginia program.
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