2004 Women's Lacrosse Preview
2/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 18, 2004
Complete 2004 Women's Lacrosse Prospectus in PDF Format
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2004 Season Preview
With the start of the 2004 women's lacrosse season just over a week away, the Sacred Heart Pioneers are hard at work meshing youth with experience, building solid team chemistry and setting the building blocks they will need to contend for the Northeast Conference title. "The key to success this year is team unity. Having one goal in mind on and off the field," stated head coach Laura Korutz. "We need to be mentally prepared and focused in order to pull out the tough games as well as closing out games with a lead."
The Pioneers bring back a wealth of talent offensively this year led by seniors Christina Macchia (Carle Place, NY) and Jackie Reichert (Nesconset, NY). Macchia was third on the team in scoring a year ago, recording 18 goals and 15 assists for 33 points. Reichert notched 17 goals, five assists and 22 points to go with 11 caused turnovers and 26 ground balls. Also back on the attack is junior Natalie Smith (Wantagh, NY) who was fourth on the team with 29 points on 12 goals and a team-leading 17 assists.
"We return a lot offensively this year with players who have been in the system now for four years," stated the head coach. "Having players like Christina and Jackie back on attack gives us leadership as we look to come together as a unit as the year progresses."
In the midfield, SHU will need to replace All-NEC selection Michelle Bruckner and her 39 goals and 44 points. The return of the Pioneers' second-leading scorer, junior JoAnn Montesarchio (Cortlandt Manor, NY), should go a long way to accomplishing that feat. Montesarchio finished 2003 with 31 goals, nine assists, 40 points and 52 ground balls, earning All-NEC second team honors.
A talented group of freshman join Montesarchio in the midfield as the Pioneers will look to develop more of a transition game this year. Newcomers Maureen Hohn (Lutherville, MD), Heather McKillop (Nahsua, NH) and Heather Gureckis (Nashua, NH) will be counted on to step in and contribute right from the start.
"We definitely have more team speed through the midfield and will be looking to push the ball up field developing a strong transition game," said Korutz. "We are more athletic and more skilled heading into this season than in the past."
"We have a lot of youth and inexperience, especially in the midfield," commented Kourtz. "Players like Maureen Hohn, Heather McKillup and Heather Gureckis will have to come in and learn the college game but they bring a different style of play that we haven't seen here in the past."
On defense, the Pioneers welcome back seniors Ashley Cotter (Sandwich, MA) and Meghan Tucker (Carle Place, NY) and junior Lindsay Travis (Mahopac, NY). Cotter had 18 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers in 15 games last season. Travis played in all 16 games, starting 14 while recording 42 ground balls and 19 caused turnovers. Tucker picked-up 27 ground balls a year ago while scoring 10 goals with seven assists on the offensive end.
"Defensively we lost to key players to graduation in Tara Antonetti and Terri Blum," said Korutz. "The big question is who will step up and fill the void. We need to find combinations that work well together. It's going to take some time. We have some huge gaps to fill."
Returing to the cage for this season will be senior Amy Lavoie (Nashua, NH). Lavoie played all but 30 minutes last year, posting a 8.56 goals against average with 147 saves and a 10-6 overall record. "Amy has been solid for us for the past two seasons and played very well in the fall," stated Korutz. "We will look to her to be a team leader this season."
Sacred Heart get the season underway on Sunday, February 29th as they host the University of Vermont to open a six-game homestand. SHU will play nine games on Campus Field this year with non-conference battles with the Catamounts, Davidson, Siena, Niagara, Holy Cross and New Hampshire on the slate. The Pioneers open the Northeast Conference portion of their schedule on March 26th with a trip to St. Francis (PA). SHU will also travel to Quinnipiac, Wagner and Monmouth while hosting Mount St. Mary's, Long Island and Central Connecticut in league play.
"The NEC will have five teams fighting for the conference title this year," said the head coach. "Monmouth, Quinnipiac, Wagner, the Mount and us should all be in the thick of it come playoff time."
