2005 LYCOMING COLLEGE WOMEN’S LACROSSE PREVIEW

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Lycoming College women’s lacrosse team enters their second season under the direction of Head Coach Kara Bates. The Warriors hope to accelerate the rebuilding process by welcoming Bates’ first recruiting class. With a roster featuring 18 players, including eight members of last season’s squad, Lycoming – while still young – will be a more experienced team in 2005.

“Last season there were times when we were fortunate just to be able to field a team,” said Bates. “This season not only do we have greater numbers, but overall we are much more experienced. If we can stay healthy, I think we can surprise a few teams.”

On the attack, the Warriors will be led by senior Erica Likens (Bel Air, Md.; Bel Air) and sophomore Cassie Mocyk (Baldwinsville, N.Y.; Charles W. Baker). Likens is returning from an injury that cost her all but one game of the 2004 season, but was Lycoming’s leading scorer in 2003 with 34 goals and eight assists. She will serve as team captain this season and her return will have an immediate impact on the attack. Mocyk started all 15 games as a freshman, scoring nine goals and assisting on two others. After a strong off-season, Mocyk is ready to produce even more this season.

Also joining the attack will be a pair of talented freshmen. Heather Suit (Annapolis, Md.; Broadneck) and Megan Wallenhorst (Rochester, N.Y.; Irondequoit) both hope to make an impact for the Warriors early in their collegiate careers.

“Our attack should be much more balanced this season, making us harder to defend,” said Bates.

In the midfield, three players return from last season’s squad. Sophomore Erin Dillon (Bayside, N.Y.; Saint Francis Prep) has had a terrific off-season, improving both her skills and fitness level. After scoring four goals as a freshman, Dillon has the potential to become a team leader this season on both the attack and as a defender. Senior Kirby Brookhart (Liverpool, Pa.; Greenwood) returns after recording 33 groundballs and three caused turnovers in 2004. Her consistent play made her an obvious choice to serve the team as a captain this season. Junior Erin Robinson (West Hartford, Conn.; Kingswood-Oxford) also returns to the midfield after registering 36 groundballs and eight caused turnovers a year ago. She was also third on the team with 18 draw controls. The midfield will likely be rounded out by a freshman attacker.

“We don’t have a tremendous amount of depth in our midfield, but I’m comfortable with our level of experience,” said Bates.

The defense will be Lycoming’s most experienced unit with the majority of starters returning from 2004. Senior Kristen Dart (Saratoga, N.Y.; Saratoga Springs), who will serve as a captain this season, was the Warriors’ second leading scorer last season with 19 goals and three assists, but will move to defense this season. Dart will most often draw the opponents’ top attacker. Juniors Laura Seifert (Jarrettsville, Md.; Notre Dame Prep) and Nancy Villante (Philadelphia, Pa.; Nazareth Academy) also return after starting on defense a year ago. Seifert compiled 30 groundballs and was third on the team with 10 caused turnovers. Villante recorded 24 groundballs and three caused turnovers.

Senior Kyleen Luy (Bainbridge, Pa.; Elizabethtown) will also be a valuable addition to the defense after returning to the team from an injury suffered in the first game of 2004 that cost her the season. Luy is very athletic and will bolster the Lycoming defense. Freshman Lauren Raby (Walnutport, Pa.; Northern Lehigh) could also make an impact on the defensive end. Raby is a former basketball player with skills that translate well to defending on the lacrosse field.

“I look for our defense to be one of our strengths this season,” said Bates. “Most of our defenders played together last year and that familiarity should lead to better communication and a tighter unit overall.”

That defense will play in front a rookie goalkeeper as two freshmen will compete for the starting role. Kristina Peacock (Webster, N.Y.; Webster-Thomas) comes to the team from Webster-Thomas High School in New York and brings a wealth of experience having played in the cage since the 8th grade. Ashley Meyer (Pittsford, N.Y.; Pittsford Sutherland) is also an experienced keeper having played every game in net for Pittsford Sutherland High School in New York during her senior season.

“Even though we will be young in goal this season, we will be much more experienced,” said Bates. “Last season, our goalie was in just her second season playing lacrosse. Both Kristina and Ashley have played lacrosse throughout high school, so their knowledge of and feel for the game should be an immediate upgrade.”

The Warriors will open their season on March 2, against Catholic University during a trip to Florida over spring break. Their first home game will be on March 30 against Wilmington College from Delaware.

“Overall, we are a much more experienced team than a year ago,” said Bates. “But we realize there will still be some bumps in the road as we continue to rebuild the program. Our goals for this season are to be more competitive with the elite programs and to qualify for the conference playoffs.”