Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Women's Lax Set for Season Opener at Stony Brook (*NOTE TIME CHANGE*)
2/14/2014 11:17:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
NOTE: The start time for the Bucknell-Stony Brook game has changed to 11 a.m. due to the threat of winter weather later in the afternoon.
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The Bucknell women's lacrosse squad opens its 2014 season at No. 13/14 Stony Brook on Saturday at 11 a.m. at LaValle Stadium on Long Island. The contest will be streamed live at AmericaEast.TV, and live stats are available at GoSeawolves.org.
The Bison are looking to pick up where they left off at the end of the 2013 season, when they won four of their last six games to finish the year 5-12. Nine starters and 23 letterwinners have returned from that team, including eight seniors.
These two teams met for the first time last season, when the 18th-ranked Seawolves won 20-5 at Graham Field. Stony Brook went on to win the America East championship and then defeat Towson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Seawolves are preseason favorites again in the America East and are ranked 13th in the IWLCA Coaches' Poll and 14th in the Brine Inside Lacrosse Media Poll.
Stony Brook is led by Preseason All-America goalie Frankie Caridi, who ranked No. 1 nationally in both save percentage and goals-against average last season. Midfielder Michelle Rubino is the Seawolves' leading returner in goals (34), draw controls (57) and points (46). They graduated Demmianne Cook, who scored seven times against the Bison last season and went on to lead the nation with 90 goals.
Bucknell will play its home opener next Wednesday, Feb. 19 against No. 7 Penn State at Graham Field at 4 p.m.
Below is a closer look at the 2014 Bison women's lacrosse team:
As Randall Goldsborough enters year No. 3 of her second stint as head coach of the Bucknell women's lacrosse team, she can finally talk about having depth among a balance of classes. Whereas her previous teams relied heavily on younger players, the 2014 Bison are led by a strong group of eight seniors and 10 juniors who will occupy key positions while also helping to mentor a very promising first-year class.
Bucknell finished 5-12 last season, but it was building momentum as the campaign concluded. The Bison won four of their last six games, including a thrilling 10-9 Senior Day win over Holy Cross that snapped a 26-game Patriot League losing streak. Now the Bison return nine starters, including 2013 leading scorer and two-time All-Patriot League selection Katelyn Miller.
“We finally feel like we are not behind the ball coming into a season in terms of having to teach our system, because we have so many veteran players who have been through it,” said Goldsborough, whose team will play five top-20 opponents this spring, including three straight to start the season. “We have a strong senior class that really wants to win. Every senior is an extraordinarily good leader, whether they are getting playing time or not. That attitude helps our program for the future. All of our returning players are competing at a higher level, and then you add in an impact freshman class and we are in such a better place.
“The Holy Cross win was huge,” added Goldsborough. “Beating a playoff team was so big for our confidence and our progress. It got that burden off our shoulders, and that streak is now in the past. It's going to take a lot of work, but we feel like we can be a playoff team. We have a good system in place, and now it's about the players thriving in it and being creative in it.”
Miller is one of the best two-way midfielders in the Patriot League, and she was asked to carry much of the offensive load last year after high-scoring attacker Arriana Sajjad went down with a season-ending knee injury in the second game of the season at Penn State. Miller led the team in goals (39), points (52) and caused turnovers (24) and ranked second on the squad in ground balls (29) and draw controls (40). The 2012 and 2013 Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Miller ranked in the top 10 in the conference in goals and points last season, and she enters her senior year ranked ninth in goals (98), 10th in assists (38), eighth in points (136), fourth in draw controls (110) and fourth in caused turnovers (68) on Bucknell's career lists.
“Kat has grown exponentially over the last three years,” said Goldsborough. “She knows all of her options, and she doesn't always have to just drive to goal. She understands the flow of the game, and she just plays so hard. She gets most of the 50-50 balls and has also turned in to an outstanding defender. She is one of our fiercest competitors, and she sets a great example for the younger players to emulate.”
Sajjad has recovered from that knee injury, and she is hoping to return to her 2012 form when she led the team with 38 goals and 51 points. Sajjad had multi-goal games against Duke and Penn State, and she had six goals, including the overtime winner, in a thrilling 16-15 victory over Liberty.
“We are really excited to have Arriana back,” said Goldsborough. “Her presence is enormous in our low attack, and we need her ability to go 1-on-1. Her shot is so strong, and she has the ability to dodge and shoot.”
Senior Lindsey Ferro is also coming back after missing all of 2013 with a knee injury, and she is the elder statesman of the attack unit. An outstanding feeder, Ferro led the team and ranked third in the Patriot League with 21 assists as a sophomore in 2012.
“For a player who has missed so much time due to injuries, Lindsey is doing great,” said Goldsborough. “She is like having another coach, she was such a big help to me when she was injured last year. Lindsey is a very smart player with good vision, and she is a great role model for the younger players.”
Junior Emily Kookogey is a probable starter at attack after a terrific fall season. Kookogey started every game and scored 31 goals as a freshman in 2012, but last year she was limited to nine goals in 10 games. Now Goldsborough thinks she has regained her form.
“Emily was probably our most improved player in the fall,” said Goldsborough. “We have seen a huge difference in confidence from her, and she is playing like an all-league player right now.”
Juniors Carly Downs, Claire Switala and Chloe Chou are all battling for time at attack. Switala missed the fall season while studying in Italy, but she has had a strong preseason as an off-ball crease finisher. Downs is also an off-ball attacker, while Chou is a feeder.
Freshmen Christina Manis and Bridget Shaffrey are expected to see significant time right away, and walk-on Courtney Burke gives the Bison added depth at attack.
“Christina is one of the best feeders I've seen,” said Goldsborough. “Not only can she feed on a dime, but she can roll the crease well and score on her own. The one word to describe Bridget is 'power.' She is very strong going to goal, and she is still learning when to use different dodges. When she does get separation she can rip a shot. It's going to be fun to see what both of them can do.”
Miller has plenty of support in the midfield, most notably from versatile senior co-captain Sophie Kleinert. One of Kleinert's main responsibilities is taking draws, and she enters her senior season ranked eighth on Bucknell's all-time list for draw controls with 82. Offensively, Kleinert scored 12 goals last season, and she has 31 in her career. She is also a strong defender and is annually one of the team's ground ball leaders.
“Sophie has been our all-around most consistent player," Goldsborough said. "She is one of our smartest off-ball players on offense. She is extremely knowledgeable about the game and always finds a way to get open. She would be a good coach someday, because she gets the nuances of the game and is extremely coachable herself.”
Sophomore Sam Rickels and juniors Cori Thielemann and Blair McDonald all bring plenty of experience back to the midfield unit. Last year Thielemann started nine games and scored 12 goals, and there was no bigger goal all season than her game-winner with 8:29 to play in the 10-9 win over Holy Cross. The speedy McDonald has scored 11 goals over the last two years primarily as a reserve middie. Rickels started every game as a freshman in 2013 and was the team's top rookie scorer with 14 goals and five assists.
“Blair is really coming on,” said Goldsborough. “She is our fastest sprinter and has become much more vocal. She is a very important part of our transition game, and we are going to ask a lot of her this year. Cori is a very steady and smart player, and we are asking her to play more on defense this year. When we do get her on the offensive end, she is a good lefty finisher. Sam is also very fast and adds a lot to the offense. She is a natural leader, and she is also a very good rider who can get the ball back for us.”
Keep an eye on sophomore Ally Furbay, who was still recovering from a knee injury when she arrived at Bucknell and thus did not see much game action last year. This year Goldsborough says she is playing with tremendous confidence and has been very good on the draw circle. Sophomore Emily Becker scored three goals last season but will miss the first part of the 2014 campaign with a foot injury.
Newcomers to the midfield unit include Madison Molinari, Haley Hauser, Becca Golding, Lindsey Trachtenberg and Phebe Wong.
“Madison played field hockey in the fall but has regained her lacrosse legs,” Goldsborough said. “She was one of the top players on Long Island last year, and she is a smart, explosive player who can play defense and score goals. Haley is coming into her own and has an explosive first step. She takes draws and has good height and wingspan. Becca has amazing endurance, and she has the potential to be an impact player when she gets more confidence with her decision-making with the ball. Lindsey always goes hard no matter what side of the field she is on. She is playing great on defense and also goes hard to goal. Phebe was a late addition after coming to our summer camp. We love her ability on draw controls after the graduation of Adrienne Wendling.”
On defense, seniors Andrea Feldman, Liz Gauf and Kerri Althouse, along with junior Alex Wallace, are all returning starters. Bucknell has played 50 games over the last three years, and Feldman has started 49, Gauf 41 and Althouse 34 of them. Feldman recorded 17 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers last season. Althouse had 22 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers, while Gauf forced 12 turnovers and picked up 10 ground balls. Wallace is a two-year starter and scooped 18 ground balls in 2013.
“Andrea keeps getting sharper and sharper, and she is one of our toughest defenders,” said Goldsborough. “She has learned how to communicate with everyone on the field, and she has worked extremely hard on her stick skills. Liz has significantly matured as a team leader and as a defender over the last four years. She is such a tremendous leader on and off the field and is very involved on campus. On the field her fitness is better than ever, and her confidence has gone through the roof. You always want to see players peaking in their senior year, and she is doing that.
“Kerri is a quiet leader by example. She is one of the fastest players on the team and brings great speed coming out of the back. Alex's strength is her communication. She is a very good team defender.”
Senior co-captain Char Damico has battled injuries over the last two seasons and will at least start out on the injured list in 2014.
“Char has always been one of our best communicators on defense, and she has a great eye for opposing attackers' strengths and weaknesses,” said Goldsborough. “We are counting on her to give us an extra set of eyes on the sideline."
Junior Caroline Collins found a niche last season playing on the draw circle. She collected 18 draw controls in 11 games, including four big ones in that win over Holy Cross. Sophomore Rennie Tankersley is much-improved after appearing in three games last season.
“Caroline has a valuable skill set and is fierce between the 30s,” said Goldsborough. “We can use her on the draw and she wins us possessions. Rennie is a consistent defender who is good at reading off-ball. She intercepts passes well and is a really hard worker.”
The Bison appear to have a pair of impact freshmen defenders in Annie Gilbertson and Lucia Smircich, both of whom are ticketed for playing time very soon.
“Annie is not afraid to challenge an attacker, and she is very confident when she gets the ball in her stick,” said Goldsborough. “Her 1-on-1 defending is very strong, and she is getting used to our team defensive concept. Lucia is just a natural defender. She understands our team defense and is also very confident clearing the ball up the field. Depending on the formation that we play, it is going to be tough to keep her off the field.”
Bucknell will have four goalies on the roster this spring. Junior Caroline O'Neill is the returning starter, with senior Emily Fask and sophomore Charlotte O'Donnell also back in the mix. Freshman Elizabeth Duswalt will be pushing for the starting job. O'Neill started every game last season and has 31 career appearances under her belt.
“As a junior, Caroline has a hold of all aspects of what it takes to be a good goalie,” said Goldsborough. “Confidence is no longer an issue for her. Emily loves being on our team. She has not gotten the playing time, but she works just as hard and has accepted her role, and her teammates really look up to her for that. Charlotte has been set back by injury and illness, but she is healthy now and has been very steady. Elizabeth Duswalt has the ability to make big saves. She sees the ball well and clears it well. The more confident she gets with our system, the better her communication will be.”
The Bison will be tested early and often with another very difficult schedule this spring, one that is stiffened even further by the addition of Loyola Maryland and Boston University to the Patriot League.
The Bison are slated to play five teams ranked in the Brine Top-20 Preseason Media Poll. The Bison open the season at No. 14 Stony Brook. Four days later No. 7 Penn State comes to Graham Field for the home opener at 4 p.m. Johns Hopkins, tied for the No. 20 spot in the poll, will host Bucknell at Homewood Field on Feb. 22, making it three straight ranked foes to start the season.
When Patriot League play rolls around, Bucknell will battle No. 12 Navy and No. 10 Loyola, both at home just three days apart in mid-March. Bucknell will also host non-conference games against Villanova, Marist and Howard, and the Bison will visit Duquesne and Saint Francis (Pa.).
“Our schedule is very tough, and that is something that we will always try to do,” said Goldsborough. “The student-athletes in our program and that we are recruiting want to test themselves against the best, and someday soon we want to be in that class with them.”
Along with the addition of Loyola and Boston University comes an expanded Patriot League Tournament in 2014. Six teams will now qualify for the postseason, with the top two seeds receiving first-round byes. The third and fourth seeds will host quarterfinal games, and then the No. 1 seed will host the semifinals and final during the last weekend in April.
Loyola was picked as the preseason favorite by the league's head coaches and sports information directors, followed by Navy, Boston University and Holy Cross. The Bison were picked ninth in the nine-team league, but Goldsborough feels her team will be unfazed by those projections.
“They understand why we were picked last, and they want to prove people wrong,” said Goldsborough. “This program is going to get turned around, and our seniors want that to be their legacy.”
