April 7, 2009
Notre Dame, Ind. – Notre Dame women’s lacrosse’s junior defensive standout Rachel Guerrera (Wantagh, N.Y.) has been selected as the BIG EAST defensive player of the week for her play in Notre Dame’s BIG EAST Conference wins at Cincinnati (16-5) and Louisville (20-8) last weekend.
Guerrera and the Irish defense limited the opposition to just 13 goals on the weekend as Notre Dame improved to 11-2 overall and 4-1 in BIG EAST play with the victories.
A two-year starter on defense for the Irish, Guerrera picked up nine ground balls in the two games, had two draw controls and caused six turnovers in the two games.
In the 16-5 win at Cincinnati on April 3, Guerrera picked up four ground balls and had one caused turnover in the first-ever meeting between the two schools in women’s lacrosse.
On Sunday, April 5, the tough, tenacious defender made life miserable for Louisville’s offensive attack as she continually disrupted play around the Notre Dame cage. Guerrera caused a career-high five turnovers in the game and followed with a career-best five ground balls while adding two draw controls on the afternoon as the Irish prevailed, 20-8.
For the season, Guerrera ranks sixth on the stat sheet with 21 ground balls, while her 16 caused turnovers are the third-best total on the team. She also has three draw controls to her credit.
Notre Dame is currently ranked 10th in the IWLCA coaches’ poll and tied for eighth in the Inside Lacrosse.com media poll.
The Irish return to BIG EAST action this Saturday, April 11 when they travel to Syracuse, N.Y., to face the Syracuse Orange in a 12:00 noon contest. CBS College Sports will broadcast that game live.