March 10, 1999

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - With the Cavaliers' 15-6 victory in the Dome against Syracuse, Virginia further established itself among the elite in women's lacrosse. Not only did the win push the Cavaliers to 2-0 in the young campaign, but also it brought Virginia's all-time record to 250-93-5. Only five other Division I schools have achieved this milestone.

"I am excited not only for this team, but also for all the teams who have been a part of the Virginia program," said Virginia head coach Julie Myers. "It is a true testament to the proud history of Virginia lacrosse."

The Virginia lacrosse team opened its varsity schedule in 1976 with a game at William and Mary. Although the Cavaliers dropped that game 7-10, the Hoos won their next six in a row, including a 9-4 win over Harvard. The first varsity program ended with an 8-4-1 record and hints of greatness were expected.

Virginia reached the pinnacle of the NCAA women's lacrosse world with an 8-6 triumph in the National Finals against Maryland in 1991. Two years later the Hoos returned to the top with yet again an 8-6 victory in the final game, this time over Princeton. In that three year stretch, the Cavaliers went 46-5, reaching the NCAA final four three consecutive years.

The 1991 team was captained by Robyn Nye, who was named the IWLCA Player of the Year, Virginia's first-ever selection. Six years later, Nye would add a World Cup gold medal to her NCAA trophy as the United States won the coveted women's lacrosse world championship in Japan.

Nye was simply the first in a string of Cavaliers to be named Player of the Year. In 1992 Jenny Slingluff, now the head coach at North Carolina, was honored as the nation's top attacker. Although Virginia was denied a similar honor in 1993 en route to the NCAA Championship, the 1994 honor went to a woman that many consider to be the best player to play the game.

Cherie Greer led the nation in scoring in 1994--as a defense wing. A member of the United States Elite team, Greer had won a world championship the year before as the USA won the World Cup for the second consecutive time. In Greer's four years, the Cavaliers won two titles and advanced to the national semifinals four consecutive years. In 1997, the United States won its third consecutive world title with a 3-2 double overtime triumph over nemesis Australia. The final goal was scored as Greer scooped up a loose ball in the US defensive end and ran it down field where she was fouled. For her efforts, Greer was named the MVP of the tournament.

In 1995 and 1996, Michelle Cusimano patrolled the cage for the Cavaliers. In each of her three seasons between the pipes, she broke the record for saves in a season. In her final game as a Cavalier, Cusimano set a record for saves in an NCAA final game, marking the Cavaliers' return to the final game of the year. She was the first woman to be honored as the IWLCA Goalie of the Year twice.

In 1997, the Cavalier's Peggy Boutilier was named the IWLCA Player of the Year for the first time in her career. Not only did she repeat that honor in 1998 as she led the Hoos to their first ACC Championship and back to the NCAA Finals, but also she became lacrosse's first NCAA Woman of the Year.

In 1981, the Cavaliers' Maggie MacInnes was named to the United States National team, and since her appointment, a Cavalier has represented the USA on a national team every year. This year, four Cavaliers--Kara Ariza, Peggy Boutilier, Cherie Greer and Bonnie Rosen--are members of the Elite team while current players Samm Taylor and Stephy Samaras are members of the Developmental Squad.

In the last 23 years, Virginia has experienced 19 winning seasons and has gone the last 14 without a losing record. The Cavaliers first advanced to the NCAA semifinals in 1986 under then-head coach Jane Miller and have played in four NCAA final games, splitting them 2-2.

Miller, who now serves as an Associate Athletic Director at Virginia, said of reaching the milestone, "This is a great accomplishment and ranks Virginia among the very best lacrosse programs in the country for long term success. Reaching this milestone is a tremendous tribute to all of the players, coaches, parents, and fans who have been involved with the program throughout its history. I consider myself blessed to have the opportunity to work with such an outstanding group of people throughout my tenure and I know the wonderful memories I have as a Virginia coach will remain with me forever."

Miller closed out her career with a record of 145-44, which ranks her in the top-20 all-time in wins and winning percentage.