2001 Women's Lacrosse Outlook

The Bantams, under the direction of Head Coach Kara Tierney (second season, 3-8), return a multitude of young talent from last year’s team. Tierney anticipates that the three captains, Mary Jacobs, Melissa Marlette, and Ashley Taylor will provide outstanding leadership, both on and off the field, to the squad. An outstanding freshman class consists of 14 players who will all be immediate contributors to a very deep team.

The defensive unit welcomes back senior first-team All-American and All-NESCAC selection Jacobs, who is a three-year starter. Tenacious and speedy sophomore Eliza Hurd will join Jacobs after a promising freshman campaign, along with sophomore Maria Lingnau and freshman prospect Katherine Boothby.

Junior Kelly Jo Burnett moves in at goalkeeper, replacing All-American Kate Derosier, who graduated. Freshman newcomer Alexandra Benjamin pushes Burnett daily and has the skills of a starter already.

The Bantams enjoy excellent depth in the midfield, led by junior speedster Anna Sullivan who had a team-high 24 goals and one assist last season.

Sophomore Elizabeth Miller, a threat on both sides of the ball, started in the midfield in each game of her freshman season, ultimately finding a home at defense wing. Classmates Katie Bowman is a solid returniing midfielder, and Lingnau can swing back and forth from midfield to defense. Solid freshmen Rebecca Sullivan, Elizabeth Walsh, and Emily Gamble are all in the mix for a starting spot as well.

The youth movement on the Trinity attack in 2000 will pay dividends this year, as three of the top four scorers return to the field. Taylor, a feisty and aggressive player, totaled 18 goals and five assists a year ago, while Marlette emerged as a starter late last season and has been a solid contributor throughout her career. Sophomore Laura Davis is expected to develop into one of the team’s primary playmakers this season. She possesses a keen understanding of the offensive scheme, and totaled six goals and four assists while learning on the job last spring.