Bucknell University Athletics
New Bucknell Women's Lax Nucleus Aims to Build on Recent Success in 2005
2/25/2005 7:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 25, 2005
The Bucknell women's lacrosse team further entrenched itself as a Patriot League title contender last season, qualifying for the conference tournament for the second straight year as the No. 3 seed. Led by co-offensive player of the year Meredith Wright and a terrific class of nine seniors, the Bison finished 8-7 overall and 4-2 in the Patriot League. Now the Bison enter the 2005 season with a new nucleus, led by first-year head coach Jess Spadafora, but there is still plenty of talent across the board.
The Bison, who were picked third in the Patriot League's preseason poll behind Colgate and American, open the 2005 campaign on Sunday at Longwood at 1 p.m.
While the core of Bucknell's defense returns this spring, Spadafora will be challenged early to rebuild the offense after losing a total of 82 goals with the graduation of Wright, Laura Nuss and Amy Hasler.
"Our fans are going to see a much quicker tempo this season," said Spadafora. "It's going to be push, push, push. Our goal is to be the most fit team, outrun everyone and control the tempo of the game. The offense is going to be the hardest area for us to coach, because we are recreating most of it. There will be some new players participating, and it's a young group with freshmen and sophomores likely playing key roles. The midfield is going to be a big key. We will work very hard to perfect that.
"Defensively we are a very strong man-to-man team," Spadafora added. "We will continue to play good hard, aggressive defense." Bucknell is coming off a strong fall season, and her first glimpse at her new club was a positive one.
"I thought the team was very responsive to the new things we put in this fall," said Spadafora. "This team has chemistry, they really seem to genuinely like each other on and off the field. That makes the next phase so much easier. This group really wants to win. The best teams are the ones that play the hardest, and there is no doubt we will do that."
A closer look at the 2005 Bison, by position:
ATTACK
Bucknell's attack unit has featured each of the last two Patriot League Offensive Players of the Year in Suzanne Raffaele and Meredith Wright, but both are now members of the alumnae, as is 30-goal scorer Laura Nuss. The good news is that another potential star returns in sophomore Katie Edge. As a freshman last season Edge logged 27 goals and four assists and was named to the all-conference first team.
"Katie is a very exciting player," said Spadafora. "She learned so much from that great senior class last year. We really think that she can be our Meredith Wright this season."
Senior co-captain Amy Lee may get the chance to increase her role in 2005. A reserve throughout her first three years at Bucknell, Lee has a good scoring touch, as evidenced by her three goals on five shots last season.
Freshmen Molly Aufiero and Rosie Barr, a walk-on, both were impressive in the spring. Sophomore Erica Andreozzi caught Spadafora's eye with her speed and relentless work ethic. Rookies Mackenzie Duane and Elizabeth Bunn and Ashley Flood, along with sophomore Kelly Doyle, will also vie for playing time.
MIDFIELD
The vital midfield group will have to find a replacement for four-year starter Amy Hasler, one of the team's most valuable all-around players. High-scoring senior co-captain Andrea Paraud will play the center middie spot. Featuring an accurate lefthanded shot, Paraud was Bucknell's second-leading scorer a year ago with 36 points on 26 goals and 10 assists. She will once again be looked upon as a go-to player at the offensive end.
Juniors Emily Burman, Tory Field and Abby Brewster have all been regulars in the lineup, but all three studied abroad in the fall, and Spadafora has yet to evaluate them entering the spring. Burman scored a career-high 17 goals last season and field added 10 more.
Sophomore Lauren Kremer started all but one game last season as a rookie and quickly developed into one of the team's most dependable defensive middies. She led the team in caused turnovers (18) and was among the team leaders in ground balls (27) and draw controls (28). Kremer also possesses a rocket shot and may get to play a bit more of an offensive role this season.
Spadafora is extremely high on freshman Elizabeth Whipple, a Maryland native with a point-guard mentality who can play both attack and midfield.
Sophomore twin sisters Erin and Shauna Weinstein also impressed the new staff in the fall and will compete for playing time.
DEFENSE
Spadafora is pleased to have her main defensive nucleus back in junior goalie Lizzie McDaniel and defenders Annie Greenspun, Rachel Prowler and Jenny Osborn.
Greenspun, a senior co-captain, lends a veteran presence on the back line. Prowler, a junior, was a First-Team All-Patriot League selection in 2004, while Osborn started 14 games as a freshman last season. "All three of them are agile, strong, fast and vocal," Spadafora said of the defensive trio. "I am extremely comfortable with the three of them back there."
Freshman Lauren Deitrich is a potential starter either on defense or at midfield. The coaching staff saw from her strength and confidence unusual in a freshman. Another newcomer, Jill Fritze, comes out of a strong program at Baltimore's Friends School and will vie for playing time. McDaniel had tough shoes to fill last year, replacing former Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Nicole Kallis. McDaniel's first year as a starter was a rousing success, as she averaged nearly 11 saves per start and had a solid .528 save percentage.
"We saw a lot of great things from Lizzie in the fall," praised Spadafora. "She got her feet wet as a starter last year and I think she is taking on more of a leadership role this year."
Sophomore Kristin Gaines, who appeared in five games off the bench last season, will back up McDaniel in the crease.
SCHEDULE
Spadafora has lined up one of Bucknell's toughest non-conference schedules in program history, with contests against Penn State, Virginia Tech, Rutgers, Columbia and Drexel. All that leading up to an extremely difficult Patriot League slate featuring the likes of Colgate and American, who combined to go 11-1 in the conference last season.
"I love to play a challenging schedule," said Spadafora. "It helps you prepare for your conference games, but it also dares you to be at your best. We will have the ability to beat anybody we go up against because of how we play together."
