The Vanderbilt University women's lacrosse team will be traveling to North Carolina this weekend to open preseason play in a the "South of the Border" Tournament co-hosted by UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University. The exhibition tournament will feature over 15 clubs including powerhouse rivals Duke, Cornell, Georgetown, and the Tar Heals of UNC.

Playing on 5 fields over two days, the tournament will give each club the chance to show their skill, athleticism, and passion for the game. Since this is an exhibition tournament, the outcomes of the games do not affect the regular season or conference records. Nevertheless, the Commodores are prepared to play their hardest.

In her fifth season as Vanderbilt's head coach, Cathy Swezey led the Commodores to the inaugural American Lacrosse Conference championship and aims to strike with even more vigor this time around.

"We don’t want to be on the edge of the Top 10," Swezey says with confidence.
"We want to compete at a higher level.We want to be serious contenders for a
national championship."

This tournament will give Swezey and her team the chance to view just how far
or close that goal may be as their first day of play will include top ranked
teams such as Duke, UNC, Richmond, and Georgetown; all of whom have faired well in the NCAA postseason tournament.

So what is Swezey's strategy? Just as in prior seasons, the Commodores will
look to leadership from returning players such as team captain and regional
All-American, Tara Schmucker whose 26-caused turnovers rank first among all
returning Commodores. Jeannie Crawley, a senior attackman, registered a
team-high 38 goals, 47 points, and 71 shots on goal last year. She returns as
Vanderbilt's top offensive threat.

It is with the aide of experience and love for the game that wills this team to
succeeed and grow. This tournament is a stepping stone for the 'Dores to show
what this season will ultimately be about; becoming national contenders.

The Commodores will open regular seson play March 1 at Penn State. Vanderbilt's first home game of the season will be held at 1:00pm in the Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex against nationally ranked Hofstra.