By Kevin Carroll – SPORTS EDITOR
The last time the Hofstra women’s lacrosse team was out on the field, it was in a losing effort, falling to Towson in the semifinal round of last year’s CAA Tournament. Now, minus one all-time Hofstra great in Brittain Altomare, but still teeming with young talent, the Pride is ready to get back to business.
“Overall, I think the team is in a good spot,” said head coach Shannon Smith. “I don’t think we can dwell too much on the past. We could learn from it, and use it as motivation.”
This season will be Smith’s fourth at the helm of the Pride, and her first season without Altomare, an attacker who finished her career last season as the program’s all-time leader in points, assists and draw controls.
Altomare’s absence will be a tough one to swallow for the Pride, but Smith isn’t too worried about a drop-off from her team.
“Brittain had a great career here at Hofstra…every year’s a new year,” said Smith. “That’s part of a program, you just rebuild and other players step up. Now, it’s their time to shine.”
Altomare wasn’t the only big name not returning to the team this season. Goalkeeper Kelsey Gregerson has also graduated, leaving a hole in the cage that may not be so easily filled.
A three-year starter, Gregerson’s veteran presence will be missed on this year’s squad. The Pride has three goalies on the roster this season, but with very little experience between them. Maddie Fields and Sara Guarascio are both freshmen, and Alexis Greene, a junior, has seen very little playing time behind Gregerson in her time here.
“They [the goalies] all have different strengths and weaknesses, so we’ve been really taking these past three weeks to evaluate them,” said Smith. “I think we’ll be great with any of them in the cage.”
With a new look in goal, and a newly restructured attack, a lot of new players are going to be given the opportunity to step up and grab the reins of this team. Among the players expected to take charge up front is junior attacker Tiana Parrella.
Parrella, a native of Miller Place, New York, was named to the Preseason All-CAA team heading into the season, after being named to the All-CAA second team after a breakout performance last year.
“I’m focused on the team, and what we’re going to accomplish together,” said Parrella. “I’m just going to do whatever I can to make the team be its best.”
The release of the preseason rankings for the CAA also included senior defender Shelby Milne on the All-CAA list, and senior midfielder Lindsey Alfano receiving honorable mention. Milne and Alfano were named team captains in January, and their leadership has resonated well with the rest of the team.
“Our captains really make it comfortable for everyone to speak up on the field,” said Parrella.
Along with the individual accolades received by Parrella, Milne and Alfano, the CAA also released its preseason ranking for each team in the conference. Hofstra, despite a 6-0 run in conference play last season, finds itself sitting in fourth place, behind Delaware, Towson and preseason favorite James Madison, the team that ended Hofstra’s championship hopes last spring.
“I think it’s great being the underdogs,” said Smith. “We’re going to take it one day at a time, one game at a time and hopefully be at our best in the months of April and May.”
However, before the returning CAA Coach of the Year could navigate her team through conference play later on in the season, she must first guide the Pride through a nonconference schedule that promises to be especially tough.
With matchups including a trip to University of Maryland to take on the defending champion Terps and a road game at traditional lacrosse powerhouse Johns Hopkins, Hofstra certainly won’t be breezing through the nonconference schedule this season. But, according to Smith, it’s all part of the plan.
“Your out-of-conference schedule has to be tough, because it’s only going to prepare you for your conference schedule,” said Smith. “It allows us to figure out what we’re strong at, and what we need to get better at. It allows us to be playing our best lacrosse in April and May.”
Hofstra opens up its season on Saturday, Feb. 13, on the road against New Hampshire, the same team that the Pride defeated to open up last season. Still, as the Pride gets ready to suit up for the first time this season, coach Smith knows that it won’t all be smooth sailing.bll, as the Pride gets ready to suit up for the first time this season, Coach Smith knows that it won’e opportunity to step up
“I think it’s going to take us a good 10 minutes to get rolling in the UNH game, to get all the kinks out,” said Smith. “Communication will be key for us, because we’re so young on the field.”
The road back to the CAA Tournament will be a long and bumpy one for the Pride, but it’s a trip that Smith and her team wouldn’t miss for the world.
“It’s a great environment to be around,” said Smith. “I enjoy going to practice every single day and coaching these kids.”. will be ready to navigate. The Pride may be all about taking care of business on the field,