By Justin Paley
The Pride women’s lacrosse team has high expectations for the 2005 season. Despite finishing 8-8 overall and missing the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament with a 3-4 conference record, the team returns 23 of the 26 letter winners from last year’s team. The team features 10 seniors and seven juniors.
“Last year was the first time we competed on this high of a level. Eleven of the 16 games were against top 20 programs. Knowing and looking toward the future that we had 10 seniors on the roster (this year), we wanted to set ourselves up to gain that experience and come into this season knowing what it takes to be successful,” head coach Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe said. “Gaining confidence in those tough situations so we can have as many W’s on our side as possible.”
ATTACK
Sophomore Kim Hillier once again will be the leader on the Pride attack. Last year, Hillier led the Pride with 47 points (27 goals, 20 assists). For her efforts, Hillier was named the CAA Rookie of the Year and was named an IWLCA Northeast Region All-American and All-CAA first-team pick. Despite her outstanding freshman season, Hillier knows she can get better. “I think there’s always room for improvement,” Hillier said. “I am always hard on myself. I like to work hard.”
“[Hillier] has great vision and composure,” Klaes-Bawcombe said. “I hope she can take advantage of any opportunity being a threat herself and also dishing the ball off and utilizing her teammates on the field.”
Senior Jen Maget started 12 of 16 games and scored 11 goals and five assists last year. Senior Jill Wienecke is expecting to see plenty of playing time after starting 12 games last year and scoring nine goals while dishing out 11 assists.
Juniors Catherine Guerriere had 10 goals and Heather Albro came off the bench to score eight goals while sophomore Casey McGrath contributed with four goals and two assists. Senior Stephanie Jacobson will contribute after appearing in three games in 2004. Freshman Kelly McGrath provides depth. As a senior at Seton Keough High School in Baltimore, McGrath scored 25 goals.
MIDFIELD
The Pride midfield may have the most depth with three seniors and three juniors. Senior co-captain Tara Buecker returns after scoring 23 goals and six assists last year. Senior Caitlin Connolly had 18 goals and four assists. Buecker and Connolly were named IWLCA Academic All-Americans.
There was no sophomore slump for junior Becky Thorn, who started all 16 games for the Pride and found the net often. She finished with a team-high 34 goals. Also contributing will be senior Mary Romano, who had 10 goals in her first season playing for the Pride after transferring from Sacred Heart. Romano brings speed to the Pride’s transition game. Juniors Jamie Rabuano and Danielle Longhitano should see plenty of playing time, as well.
DEFENSE
The Pride defense is probably the most experienced unit. The starting four are seniors Bridget Eder, Jamie Basile, co-captain Danielle Skakandi and junior Jamie Irving.
All four played in every game last year. Eder was the nation’s leader in ground balls a year ago with 72 and was the team leader with 32 caused turnovers. Among the awards she received in 2004 were IWLCA Second Team All-American, Inside Lacrosse Third Team All-American, First Team Northeast Region All-American, CAA Defensive Player of the Year, and first team all-CAA.
“I think it’s going to be a real exciting year for Bridget,” Klaes-Bawcombe said. “She’s gotten to the point where she understands her ability and is completely confident on the field. She lets her talent take her through the game and is decisive and explosive. She understands her role and is ready to go after it.”
Eder said there is a lot of chemistry on the team. “There’s a lot of cohesion between the teammates. You wouldn’t think we are separate classes. We are playing as one,” Eder said.
“We have maturity now,” Klaes-Bawcombe said of the defense. “They understand the timing of the game and what defensive strategy you want to use. All those wonderful qualities come with experience and maturity which we have this year.”
Skakandi scooped up 25 ground balls last year. Junior Kerry McCaffrey, sophomores Kara Meekins, Kim Kozlowski, and Brittany Kaplan will be first off the bench. Freshman Kerrin Fraser comes to the Pride from Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado where she was team MVP.
Freshman Debbie Stelke was an all-league selection at Longwood High School in Middle Island, NY.
“Defense wins championships,” Klaes-Bawcombe said. “That’s our focus. We understand if we can continue to play solid and prevent other teams from scoring, all we have to do is score one more goal.”
GOALIE
Senior Lisa Papa and freshman Maisie Osteen likely will split time in the net. Papa was 8-8 with a 9.08 goals against average and 153 saves last year. Osteen comes to the Pride from Charlottesville High School in Virginia where she was named the Virginia AA Women’s Lacrosse Player of the Year and an All-American selection. Klaes-Bawcombe praised the freshman goalie.
“She’s showing us a lot of charisma, passion, and decisiveness. She’s making things happen,” Klaes-Bawcombe said.
SCHEDULE
One of the Pride’s challenges is playing a competitive schedule. The schedule features seven teams ranked in the US Lacrosse Preseason Poll. The Pride face James Madison (No. 8), Loyola (10), Vanderbilt (14), Towson (15), George Mason (16), William & Mary (17) and Boston University (20).
“The CAA is always top-notch competition,” Klaes-Bawcombe said. “We’re excited to be competing in this conference. You really do have to learn how to compete with a certain air of confidence to be able to bring that ‘A’ game every time you step out onto the field.”
OVERALL
The Pride does not lack talent, but can it come together and be consistent throughout the season? “I think that pressure has been put on by ourselves. We’re still a program people are aware of but don’t know what to expect from us this year. If people take us lightly, they will be sorely mistaken. It’s really exciting and I’m looking forward to a great season.”