Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Lacrosse Squad to Feature Eight Newcomers in 2007
8/17/2006 8:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Aug. 17, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Coming off an exciting finish to the 2006 regular season, Bucknell head women's lacrosse coach Jess Spadafora is excited about the addition of eight newcomers to the 2007 roster. The rookie class is well-balanced, featuring two attack player, three midfielders, two defenders and a goalie.
"With the arrival of these eight student-athletes and the return of seven starters and 19 letterwinners from last season, the future of Bucknell lacrosse is bright," said Spadafora, the third-year coach whose squad finished the 2006 regular season with five straight victories by a combined margin of 72-22. "I am looking forward to seeing first-hand the athleticism and drive we feel these women will bring to the program. Each of them has a chance to make an impact as soon as they arrive on campus."
A pair of Long Island natives join a young Bison attack unit that came on strong as last season progressed. Carol Donohue of West Babylon, N.Y., was a two-time all-county selection at West Babylon High School, while Paige Kasschau of Rockville Centre, N.Y., was an all-county pick at South Side High School.
"I am very excited for Carol and Paige," said Spadafora. "They were both strong players on Long Island with a keen offensive sense. Both can put the ball in the net and are quick, powerful threats with outstanding stick skills."
Alison Heffernan (Malven, Pa./Agnes Irwin School), Chelsea Peters (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y./Cold Spring Harbor) and Tally Wolff (New Albany, Ohio/Columbus School for Girls) are new to the midfield. Heffernan was an honorable mention All-American in 2006 as well as a three-time all-league and All-Main Line selection. She averaged better than three goals per game as a junior and senior and finished as her school's all-time leading scorer.
Peters was the leading scorer at Cold Spring Harbor High School last season, when she was named a "Long Island Player to Watch" by LongIslander newspaper. Peters was an all-county and all-conference selection as well. Wolff was an outstanding lacrosse and soccer player at Columbus School for Girls. In lax, she was a second-team all-league pick and played for the Great Lakes team at a national tournament.
"Alison Heffernan is coming off one of the best season in her school's history," said Spadafora. "She is a midfielder who can go to goal, run in transition and play defense. She will be a very familiar face to Bucknell lacrosse fans. Chelsea is an all-around asset on the field and will provide our team with much-needed depth in the midfield. Tally is a defensive midfielder with the speed to run in the open field and the quickness and stickwork to excel on defense."
Joining the Bison defensive corps are Kendall Thibeault (Fallston, Md./St. Paul's) and Erin Turner (Huntington, N.Y./Huntington). Thibeault was team MVP and an all-county pick as a senior, and she helped lead St. Paul's to a regular-season league title in 2005. Turner was voted Huntington High School's "most improved" lacrosse player, and she was also a scholar-athlete and all-tournament selection last spring.
"Both Kendall and Erin are strong low defenders and are coming off outstanding high school seasons," said Spadafora. "The both proved they could defend against the best high school athletes and we expect them to transition smoothly to the college game. At 5'10" each, they have the physical stature and speed to protect our defensive end."
Highly touted goalie Katie Hartsock (Wayne, Pa./Conestoga) is the likely heir apparent to Lizzy McDaniel, a three-year starter who graduated last spring. Hartsock was a four-year starter at Conestoga and led the Pioneers to the 2006 state championship. She was defensive MVP of the state tournament three times, and last year she earned first-team all-area and second team all-league and All-Main Line accolades.
"Katie is the type of player who can change Bucknell lacrosse," Spadafora said. "She is agile and fast in the net and will be an immediate impact player for us."
Bucknell finished 7-10 overall and 3-3 in the Patriot League last season.
