Women's Lacrosse Looks For Another NCAA Run in 2009

2/14/2009 10:32:38 PM

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Feb. 14, 2009) - Under second-year head coach Meghan McNamara, the Pioneers are back for another chance to return to the national stage of a Division II Championship title. McNamara led the squad to a 17-2 record last season, and despite graduating seven seniors, including two All-Americans, McNamara has high hopes for her youthful squad. The Pioneers have the talent and experience, and they are hungry for another trophy. “We are going to improve every day at practice, and continue to make ourselves better as a team,” says McNamara. “There is a high standard of excellence that is ingrained in the program here at C.W. Post, and the caliber of players that we have and the schedule that we will play will help us prepare to reach our long term goal of the NCAA tournament.” Attack A strong attack unit will be a vital part of the Pioneers’ success in 2009, and no one will be relied on more so than senior All-American attacker Jaclyn Napoli. Napoli led the Pioneers last season with 58 goals while adding 20 assists. McNamara believes Napoli’s offseason determination has made her a more dynamic player. As the Pioneer’s top attacker, Napoli’s ability to find the back of the net will be vital to the team’s success. Senior Samantha Lyons will return to the attack after a 30 goal and 13 assist performance last season. A feeder with great field vision, McNamara will look for Lyons to be a smart and disciplined playmaker, working to control the tempo on the field. Junior Staci Passafiume was one of the Pioneers’ hardest working attackers last season, playing in all 19 games and making 18 appearances in the starting lineup. Passafiume will utilize her good field vision to be another top feeder for C.W. Post. After posting solid numbers last season, including 25 caused turnovers, McNamara expects Passafiume to have a successful junior year. Also adding to the offense are classmates Lauren Romanelli and Caitlin Heraghty. McNamara calls Romanelli a selfless player with good confidence, and will look for the junior speedster to use her excellent cuts to help the attack open up. After two seasons plagued by injury, a healthy Heraghty will add depth to the attack and look to earn additional time on the field. Three sophomore attackmen will push for playing time on the offensive side. Taryn Crimi is a quick and feisty left-handed player with a good shot. McNamara calls sophomore Michelle Fucich an energetic player who is relentless on her opponents. A newcomer to lacrosse, Amanda Nann, also an All-American field hockey player for the Pioneers, will use her athleticism and eagerness to learn the game, and looks to add depth and be an athletic presence on the Pioneer attack. Attackers Janine Abramo and Lauren Spagnoletta and attack midfielder Ashley Olen will look to earn time and put points on the board. Abramo’s left hand and good shot and Spagnoletta’s speed and relentless attitude are sure to push the Pioneers past their opponents. Olen’s height, strength, and eye for the net are sure to make an impact for the offense. Midfield No mention of the Pioneer midfield could begin without mention of senior All-American and 2009 Inside Lacrosse Preseason Player of the Year, Katie Hogan. One of three captains chosen for the upcoming season, McNamara will rely on Hogan’s leadership as well as her athletic presence . She is a proven goal scorer and a successful feeder, finishing second on the team in both categories last season. Her offensive ability combined with her fierce defense makes her a top candidate for Player of the Year honors. The team will also look to Hogan to do all the little things involved in the game, as she tallied a team-high 54 draw controls, 32 caused turnovers, and was second on the team with 36 ground balls last season. Returning midfielder Brianne Jackolski will be joined on the circle by fellow junior Kian Lyons, who moves from defense to the midfield unit. Jackolski had a successful 2008 season, making 16 appearances in the starting lineup while grabbing 22 ground balls and scoring 14 goals. McNamara calls Jackolski a real hustler who can be found all over the field and provides an excellent athletic presence. Kian Lyons makes the move from low defense to the midfield, as McNamara hopes to utilize her speed, field vision, and speedy transition game, to provide depth on both ends of the field. Midfielders Chelsea Donaldson and Nan Mayott will be assets on both ends of the field. Coming from a solid high school program, Donaldson will use her transition skill to move the ball up the field. Mayott is a speedster whose fearless attitude will work to her advantage against Pioneer opponents. Defense The Pioneer defensive unit will be headed up by senior co-captain Jesse Wolff. As the only senior defender, Wolff will be responsible for protecting the net and the Pioneers’ two young goalkeepers. A focused and intense player, Wolff will be the leader for the Pioneers defense. The Pioneers’ third co-captain, Kim Williams, will be relied on to support the defensive end. McNamara describes Williams as a determined, solid and hardworking player who knows the game very well. With a career-high and team-high 53 ground balls last season, Williams was tabbed as IWLCA Defender of the Year as well as a First Team All-America selection, is looked upon to repeat that performance and more this season. Joining Williams on the defensive end will be juniors Kaurey Foley and newcomer Marlese Gerlach. Foley started all 19 games on the defensive end, scooping up 28 ground balls and causing 10 turnovers. She is one of the Pioneers most consistent players, according to McNamara, and one who has matured into her defensive role. Gerlach, a very athletic player and transfer from Nassau Community College, brings enthusiasm and excitement to the team, while continuing to develop her game. McNamara will look to sophomore Jackie Coyne to play an integral part of the defense, along with being an excellent motivator for her teammates. After spending the summer furthering her skills as a member of the Irish National Team, Coyne looks to have a solid season as a result of her excellent work ethic. Four freshmen will also push for playing time on defense. Ashley Janelli, a physical player according to McNamara, will be looked upon to fill the defensive midfielder position. Brie Claire Drost is a patient and calm defender with great knowledge of the game. Ashley Babst, a strong, solid defender, and Nicole Sileo, a feisty defender with good footwork will round out the Pioneer backfield. Goalkeepers Returning between the pipes are sophomores Sam Powers and Marcela Hernandez. The young goalkeepers will have large shoes to fill after the loss of All-American and ECC Goalkeeper of the Year, Lauren Scipione. Powers, a solid player with good size, is an excellent student of the game, and McNamara points out her good vision on clears out of the defensive end as a plus. A strength for Hernandez is her ability to be vocal in the net, and her quick feet will give her an edge in the net. The 2009 season brings many new challenges for the Pioneers. The first of which is a six team NCAA Championship tournament bracket, making it tougher, according to McNamara, to get to the final game. C.W. Post opens up its 2009 season with a visit to Division I Davidson College in North Carolina, a game McNamara cites as being a good opening challenge for her squad. The addition of perpetually ranked teams such as Lock Haven, Belmont Abbey, and Pfeiffer adds to an already competitive schedule that includes traditional C.W. Post opponents, Stonehill and New Haven. The Pioneers finish out their regular season when they host conference and cross-town foe Adelphi on May 2, in a game that will likely decide the East Coast Conference crown.