Cincinnati Lacrosse: A Force to Reckon With
As the University of Cincinnati lacrosse team gears up to host Louisville at Nippert Stadium, all eyes are on the Bearcats' impressive form, especially in the draw circle.
Dominating the Draw
Sophomore Morgan Handzel is making waves, turning the draw control into an art form. Her recent performance against Eastern Michigan was nothing short of legendary, tying the NCAA single-game record with 24 draw controls.
This not only shattered her previous program record of 16, set just days earlier, but also earned her the Big 12 Draw Specialist of the Week for the third time this season. Handzel's season total now stands at 115 draw controls, placing her fifth nationally with an average of 11.5 per game.
The Bearcats, as a team, are also excelling, ranking 12th nationally and second in the Big 12 with 16.4 draws won per contest, and boasting a .661 draw percentage, first in the Big 12.
Big 12 Week 5 Honors
Handzel wasn't the only Bearcat turning heads. Freshman Payton Kozina also earned accolades, being named Freshman of the Week. Handzel's 40 draw controls over the weekend were complemented by Kozina's five-goal performance, including a hat trick against Eastern Michigan.
Offensive Threats
Sophomore Paige Selhorn is proving to be a powerhouse on the offensive end. Leading the nation in total points with 62, she ranks second in both assists (30) and goals (32). Her 6.2 points per game lead the Big 12, and her career tally of 127 points already ties her for seventh in program history.
Weekend Recap
The Bearcats are riding high after a successful weekend, securing victories against Kent State and Eastern Michigan. Against Eastern Michigan, Alyse Keels led the charge with five goals, while Selhorn added seven points with four goals and three assists.
Senior Lexie Wolfe and Kozina both contributed hat tricks. The Bearcats dominated the draw circle, matching a program record with 26 team draw controls, and outshot their opponents 24-17 in a commanding 16-9 win.
Scouting Louisville
Louisville comes into the matchup with momentum from a 15-5 victory over Florida State. Sophomore goalie Haley Richards was pivotal, setting a school record with 19 saves.
Offensively, the Cardinals are driven by Ella Berg and Reese Whiteman, while Cate Kangas anchors the defense with 13 caused turnovers and 18 groundballs. Louisville holds a 3-4 record this season.
Series History
The Cardinals have historically had the upper hand, leading the series 17-1. In their last encounter on February 12, 2025, Louisville edged out a 11-9 victory.
As Cincinnati prepares to face Louisville, the Bearcats are poised to continue their impressive run and potentially rewrite more records. Fans can expect a thrilling showdown at Nippert Stadium.