Friday, February 18
Davidson, N.C.
5:00 p.m.
Davidson College Athletics
vs
Cincinnati
Wildcat Lacrosse Gears Up for 2011 Season; Opens Campaign Friday Night vs. Cincinnati
2/16/2011 3:25:28 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Gavin McFarlin -- Assistant SID
DAVIDSON, N.C. — With the return of 16 letterwinners and eight starters, including 2010 National Lacrosse Conference Defensive Player of the Year Lily Graham, the Davidson women's lacrosse team is primed for a big season as they open their 2011 campaign on Friday night.
The Wildcats will welcome Cincinnati to the newly renovated Richardson Stadium on Friday evening at 5 p.m. They will play on the new FieldTurf that replaced the natural grass that was on the field.
Davidson starts its second year in the NLC and after reaching the finals last year, will be seeking its first league title this season.
In anticipation of the 2011 season, below is a look at the Season Preview....
Heading into their third season under head coach Kim Wayne, the 2011 Davidson lacrosse squad looks to make it another successful campaign after going 9-9 a year ago and 5-1 in its first year in the National Lacrosse Conference (NLC). They advanced to the NLC Finals and will be looking to knock off two-time champion Longwood, which defeated Davidson in the finals last year.
The Wildcats graduated four seniors, including Jen Crawford and Haley Cook, two of the best Lacrosse players to have suited up for the Davidson lacrosse program, but bring back a strong core from last year's squad, including four of their top six scorers.
At the helm with Wayne will be the Wildcats' three captains: seniors Lily Graham and Stella Davis, and junior Jenna Mugele. The 'Cats will rely upon their leadership and experience to assimilate seven freshmen into the mix this spring.
MIDFIELDERS
With the departure of four-year starters Crawford and Cook, the 'Cats will need to pick up the scoring and leadership both provided over their four years. The duo closed their storied careers with outstanding senior campaigns. Crawford set the all-time goals mark (134) along with the single-season mark for goals (49) and points (64) in her final campaign. Cook was right behind her, closing out her Wildcat career with 120 goals, which ranks fourth in the all-time record book, and tallied 152 points to put her fifth all-time.
Despite the loss of those two, there is plenty of proven depth and scoring with Alanna Parker, Erin Keitel, and Lindsay Cooper all back after seeing significant time last season. In addition, the Wildcats have four new-comers to add even more depth.
Parker had no problem making the transition from prep to the collegiate level. She ranked third on the team in goals (39), assists (12) and points (51), while starting all 18 games. An All-NLC Second Team member, Parker had 11 multi-goal games.
Keitel returned from a season-ending injury during her freshman campaign, scoring eight goals and assisting on five others.
“Last year was a rebuilding year for Erin,” said Wayne. “She is back now to being 100 percent after her ACL surgery, and she has been strong during the preseason and will prove to be a dominant threat in the midfield and on attack.”
Like Parker, Cooper also had an immediate impact during her first year. She was one of seven 'Cats to start all 18 games. The first-year player scored five goals and picked up 10 assists. In addition, Cooper had 22 groundballs, 15 draw controls and forced nine turnovers for a well-round first year.
“Alanna, Lindsay and Erin were recruited for their speed, tenacity and hustle,” said Wayne. “They have a keen understanding of the game and will do whatever it takes to bring home a conference championship.”
The freshmen class of Liz Edwards, Natalie Williford and Rebecca Garman will also be added into the mix.
ATTACKERS
“One of the most exciting things about this year is our depth on the attacking end and in the midfield,” said Wayne. “We have seven strong attackers who will look to fight for a starting position.”
The attacking group is six deep, but on the young side with five of them being sophomores or freshmen.
Fellow classmate Anna Smith will again look to become a force from behind the cage. Smith started 12 games, including the final six contests, while scoring nine goals and assisting on six others last season.
The attacking unit will be rounded out by Jessica Palfrey. The second-year player saw a significant amount of time on the field as a freshman, tallying eight goals in her nine games, including one start. She also added four groundballs and two draw controls.
Adding to the Wildcats' depth at the attacker spot is freshmen Ann Furcigna, Erin Doherty and Carlee Simon. All three come from strong prep program's in Connecticut, Cincinnati and Maryland. Doherty and Fucigna had a great fall season, with Fucigna scoring three goals against Duke in a preseason scrimmage.
“Both Erin and Ann, along with Liz will have a huge role for our attacking unit,” said Wayne. “I'm counting on great first years from all three of them.”
DEFENDERS
The Wildcat defense returns seven of their eight defenders and will be one of strongest in the NLC led by the Defensive Player of the Year in Lily Graham.
“I can't say enough about our defensive unit,” said Wayne. “With Graham leading the way, we have seven defenders, all with starting experience and will look to help new goalkeeper Jessica Melby in her first season between the pipes.”
Graham was selected as a tri-captain after her breakout year in 2010. Besides her player of the year honors, Graham was named to the NLC First Team. She started a career-best 18 games, while picking up career highs in groundballs (23) and caused turnovers (13).
Graham will be surrounded by fellow classmates Lauren Vanhusen and Stella Davis to give Davidson plenty of experience in the backfield. Vanhusen and Davis started 16 and 15 games, respectively. The duo combined for 30 groundballs, 27 draw controls and 11 caused turnovers. Vanhusen had a career-best 20 groundballs, while Davis pocketed a career-high 21 draw controls. The senior though will not be able to play until lat March due to a preseason injury.
Joining those three is the sophomore trio of Erin McGuire, Abigail Doelger and Morgan Tarrant. McGuire showcased her offensive talent, tallying three goals and picking up five assists to lead all defenders. She also started all 18 games.
Doelger played in 12 of the 'Cats 18 games, gathering in eight groundballs. Tarrant saw action in four games.
Melby did a tremendous job using last year as a learning experience and is ready to step into Pav's shoes. She saw action in three games overall, playing a total of 90 minutes. Melby picked up her first career save in the second half of a 19-9 win vs. Saint Francis last season.
THE SCHEDULE
Davidson opens the season at home against Cincinnati, Feb. 18, and will play a total of 10 home contests. Three times during the season the 'Cats will have back-to-back home games. They have not played the Bearcats since the 2008 campaign when they won their first ever meeting, 11-5.
Besides hosting Cincinnati during the first month, Davidson will also play Virginia Tech and California at Richardson Stadium. Last year saw the 'Cats drop both of its contests to the Hokies and Bears as they have all-time records of 4-11 and 2-1 vs. the pair.
After a road game at Lafayette to start March, Davidson hosts Robert Morris and La Salle.
The Wildcats first conference game will be Mar. 19 at Longwood. The Lancers and Wildcats finished first and second, respectively, in the league, and both reached the NLC Finals. The Lancers took home the championship title with a 17-9 win. Longwood closed out the 2010 campaign with 10-8 overall mark and 6-0 in league play.
Of the 'Cats remaining eight games after opening league play, five of them will be against NLC foes. Davidson will only play two of those games at home against Detroit Mercy and Howard. The Wildcats defeated both of those teams last year, including Howard twice as they played them to open up the tournament.
Other games to close out the season for the Wildcats include matchups against High Point and American. The Panthers are starting their first season of lacrosse and will play in the NLC.
American, which has won the last four meetings vs. the 'Cats, including last year's 10-4 decision, went 6-10 a year ago.
Davidson will have a home-field advantage for the NLC Tournament as this year it will be hosted by the Wildcats, Apr. 28-Mar. 1.
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