Returning Nucleus Key For Women's Lacrosse In 2008
RETURNING NUCLEUS KEY FOR WOMEN'S LACROSSE IN 2008
CHICOPEE, MA, March 16, 2008 - In the sport of women's lacrosse, experience and talent in just the right positions can equate to success.
If this is true, Elms College could find itself in position to challenge for a New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) title this season.
Although the Blazers are limited in overall roster depth (14 players), they do return four experienced seniors that helped earn the program's first-ever NEWLA Tournament championship game appearance in 2005.
ATTACK
The return of senior Carrie Allard (Springfield, MA), a Second Team All-NEWLA selection in both 2005 and 2006, should help bolster the Blazers up front.
Allard recorded a sizzling 79 goals and 86 points in her first two seasons before missing her junior year last season.
Senior Princess Eckles (Belmont Port of Spain, Trinidad), sophomore Jessica Shea (South Hadley, MA) and freshman Jennifer Lough (Feeding Hills, MA) will all see playing time in the offensive end for the Blazers.
MIDFIELDERS
The Blazers should be notably strong with seniors Lauren O'Donnell (Hampden, MA) and Caitlin Childs (Hingham, MA) - both four-year starters who were members of the 2005 team - anchoring the midfield.
O'Donnell, who has played center during each of the last three seasons, was a First Team All-NEWLA selection in 2005 and has 62 goals and 16 assists for 78 points in her first three years.
Childs, who earned First Team NEWLA honors in both 2005 and 2006, will move into the midfield after playing primarily as a defender in each of the last three seasons.
The move should provide an additional offense spark for the Blazers, as Childs has recorded a scorching 107 goals in three years, including a team-best 19 in 2007.
Senior Catherine Thresher (West Suffield, CT) also returns as a four-year veteran in the midfield and should add experience and a third solid scoring threat for the Blazers.
Sophomore Kaitlyn Graham (Paxton, MA) returns in the midfield and will be joined by freshman Whitney Gerard (Brunswick, ME).
DEFENDERS
The Blazers are limited in depth defensively, but do return four-year starting senior Raemarie Josefiak (Springfield, MA), a 2007 First Team and NEWLA Defensive Player of the Year.
During conference play, Josefiak, who was also the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2005, picked up 11 ground balls, won 12 draw controls and caused nine turnovers while contributing eight goals and six assists from her defensive position for the Blazers.
Sophomore Ashley Ziemba (West Springfield, MA) and freshman Laura Bauer (South Hadley, MA) will also share playing time in the back with Josefiak this season.
GOALKEEPER
Junior Alicia Bobbie (Higganum, CT) returns between the pipes for the Blazers after stopping a 156 shots, including a NEWLA-leading 102 shots in league play last season.
NEWLA
The landscape of the NEWLA has changed with the departure of WNEC, Emerson and Lasell, and addition of three state colleges (Bridgewater State, Fitchburg State and Westfield State).
Bridgewater State returns to the NEWLA after a three-year hiatus as an independent and should be among the frontrunners this season. The Bears last won the NEWLA Tournament in 2003 and also earned four-straight titles from 1998-2001.
Becker, Fitchburg State and Westfield State have all elevated their programs to intercollegiate status and will join Bridgewater, Elms College, Castleton, Thomas and Worcester State as the eight members of the NEWLA in 2008.
WRAP-UP
Although the Blazers will lack overall depth, O'Donnell, Childs, Josefiak and Allard should help provide the skill and experience needed to be competitive in the revamped NEWLA this season.
Conditioning and the ability of the team's support players to contribute will also prove key for the Blazers this season.