Most-Improved lacrosse team of 2005 returns

Maryrose Myrtetus Maryrose Myrtetus

The Vassar women’s lacrosse team was honored as the Most-Improved in any division in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) last year. Now, they’re pumping up for another impressive season.

As defending champions of the Seven Sisters Tournament and New York State Division III Champions, the women’s lacrosse team is ready to take on more teams this season. Last year, they turned their 2004 record of 3-13 into a proud 8-9 record for the 2005 season.

The women’s team surprised the nation and their opponents by making Brewer lacrosse a dominating force on the field. All of their games were hard-fought and their wins displayed a true dominance of the sport, while their losses in the Liberty League averaged at 1.1 goals per game.

Co-captain Kristin Hogan ’06 hopes that the team will build on the gains and growth of last year. To be successful, the players need to “give it all for the entire game without letting up,” said Hogan.

Being a 60-minute team is not too lofty of an ambition, considering all of their returning and incoming talent.

Some key returning players include co-captains Hogan and Ali Fantl ’07, as well as Laura Burnett ’07, Jessie Johnson ’06, Ariel Nelson ’08, Tina Castellan ’08 and Catherine Twardy ’08.

Coach Judy Finerghty, returning for her thirteenth season with the Brewers, said that they all “have great presence on the field and with the team.”

Finerghty was named Liberty League Coach of the Year for the 2005 season. Former team member Kate Morris ’04 is returning for her second season as assistant coach.

Although the team has retained much of its talent, eight players from last year’s team are not returning due to personal reasons and graduation. Since all eight girls were defensive players, this leaves a gap on the team.

“We are looking for leaders to step up on defense,” said Fantl. The team is bringing in ten new freshmen, all of whom performed well during the first few days of practice. The freshmen and the return of Lindsey Guest ’07 and Diana Schaffner ’07, gave the team a fresh batch of talent.

This year, the team is looking forward to rematches against tough rivals Renssallaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), William-Smith, Hamilton and Swarthmore. RPI and Hamilton were close league losses last year. Hogan said that she’ll “leave it all on the field” if they get an opportunity to face Swarthmore in the Seven Sisters Tournament this March.

To win again this year, the players are pushing themselves hard in the pre-season, and “working on footwork and defense everyday,” according to Finerghty.

Along with working to get in top shape, the players will have to adjust to new boundary rules which give the lacrosse field sidelines and end lines, similar to those on a basketball court. The players will have to learn to stay inside the lines and to maneuver mid-field traps.

Since the benefits of living in upstate New York do not include mildweather or dry, durable fields, the team will be spending six days of Spring Break in Florida. They will train outside and play in a round robin scrimmage tournament. From Florida, they will fly directly to Philadelphia to defend their title in
the Seven Sisters Tournament at Swarthmore College.

After break, the Brewers will return to Vassar to start the Liberty League games. Four of the ten games after break will be at home, and the home opener against Hamilton will be March 31.