University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Lacrosse Opens 2007 Campaign
2/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
STORRS, Conn. (February 21, 2007) - The University of Connecticut women's lacrosse team opens the 2007 season against Central Connecticut Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex.
Here is a preview of the season ahead:
Welcome to a new era of UConn Women’s Lacrosse.
There are new dreams. New goals. New game plans.
And many new faces.
A trio of first-year coaches lead the Huskies into the 2007 season in pursuit of a winning season, a berth in the first-ever BIG EAST women’s lacrosse tournament and a place in the regional and national spotlight. In the process, this team of seasoned veterans and eager newcomers alike will try to erase the memory of last year’s 5-11 season, carrying with them the lessons learned and the desire to reach their full potential while taking advantage of this chance at a new beginning.
At the helm of this year’s Husky squad is a familiar face making her head-coaching debut. As a member of UConn’s first-ever recruiting class, she donned the blue and white for four years, finishing her career as the all-time leader in games started (59), ground balls (174) and draw controls (70). Following graduation in 2001, she joined the coaching staff as an assistant, a position she has held for the last five seasons.
Now, Megan Cersosimo, is the program’s second head coach, taking over for 10-year veteran Bonnie Rosen, who left last summer to take over the reigns at Temple. Cersosimo, the former Megan Campbell, brought on another friendly face to her staff in four-year letterwinner Abbey VanDeusen.
The two Husky greats are joined by former Penn State standout goalkeeper Elizabeth Tortorelli, who came on board to the UConn staff in December.
Though young, the three coaches have a wealth of experience. Their fresh approach to the game, coupled with the level of talent available on this UConn squad could be the combination needed to return to the upward swing started in 2005 with the program’s first ECAC Championship and to achieve the new set of goals in the new era of UConn Lacrosse.
Attack
The Huskies return four of five players to tally 20 or more points from a year ago, including leading scorer and First Team All-BIG EAST and All-Northeast honoree Shannon Burke (Camillus, N.Y.). Burke, whose goal-scoring streak stands at 38 games entering her senior season, led the team in goals (39), assists (15) and points (54) last season as a junior. She is a quick and tenacious attacker that can go one-on-one with nearly any defender.
Kristin Link (Slingerlands, N.Y.) and team tri-captain Janet Williams (Reisterstown, Md.) also return up front to lead the Husky attack. In her second year as a starter, Link finished the season with 28 goals in 2006, scoring in all but one game on the year. Her aggressive attacking style works in stunning contrast to Williams’ deliberate and finessed approach. After returning from injury in 2005, Williams finished fourth among returning players last season, tallying 17 goals and six assists.
Also expected to see significant time up front will be: Whitney Michele (East Rochester, N.Y.), Robyn Pastuch (Merrick, N.Y.) and Kim McGinty (Huntington, N.Y.), who could also potentially double as a midfielder. Michele was the only freshman to start all 16 games last season, tallying eight goals and nine assists as an extremely fast and hard-working attacker.
Pastuch netted four goals of her own using her ability to be effective in tight spaces and get off a strong shot. Her size and strength, along with experience will lead to an increased role in the coming season. McGinty, too, is expected to earn more playing time after getting in 14 games last season and will be looked at to make an immediate impact as a goal producer and attacking threat.
Kati Kasch (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Ashley Mitchelides (Hudson, Ohio) have both battled back from injuries to head into 2007 at full strength and confidence. They both have tremendous work ethic and add to their games every day in an effort to take the field in their sophomore season.
A trio of freshman will also look for time in the attacking unit during the upcoming season. Katie Devaney (Fayetteville, N.Y.), Laura Eichert (Laurel, Md.) and Molly O’Brien (Cary, N.C.) each bring different approaches to the game and Cersosimo will work to fit them each into the veteran-based unit in order to gain experience and cultivate their play.
Midfield
A number of players will transition from the attack and defensive units into the midfield, but three returning players will spend the bulk of their time playing the transition game. Senior tri-captains Laura Trzasko (Plainsboro, N.J.) and Tori Joel (Bel Air, Md.) will maintain control over the middle of the field, while sophomore Katy Ryan (Hamburg, N.Y.) will look to create a greater presence after a successful freshman campaign.
Trzasko is capable of contributing on both ends of the field, finishing last season with 22 goals and four assists and establishing herself as one of the best match-up defenders on the team. She will be relied on as a point-scorer, as well as the leader of the defensive section of the midfield.
The remaining captain, Joel, is a calm and confident player that is extremely committed and aggressive in the midfield. She runs the field well and serves as a vocal and motivational leader. Joining the two seniors, Ryan is expected to come up with key turnovers in the backfield, while adding to the scoring depth up front. She played in all 16 games as a rookie, earning incredible game experience.
Lauren Sparks (West Chester, Pa.) is one of UConn’s most highly-touted freshmen, coming into Storrs as a high school All-American with the ability to contribute from the get-go. She has shown throughout the preseason that she is ready and willing to do what it takes and is ready for all the challenges to come this season.
Defense
Like the attack and midfield positions, the Huskies’ defensive unit is comprised of a small group of talented and experienced upperclassmen, along with a number of experienced underclassmen and a select few newcomers that are capable of succeeding from the opening draw.
Clare Schwan (Albany, N.Y.) headlines the list of returning players, coming back for a fifth year after redshirting the 2003 season due to injury. She is the most experienced member of the backfield and will be looked to come up with key turnovers and serve as a strong and vocal leader.
Meghan Nanfeldt (Jacobstown, N.J.) and Leah Giffin (Manlius, N.Y.) are a pair of juniors that both worked their way into starting roles last season and will be looked towards to continue contributing on the defensive end.
Also looking to gain experience in the upcoming season are junior Emily Van Buitenen (Darien, Conn.) and sophomores Lauren Duffy (Madison, Conn.) and Jamie Antonious (Baltimore, Md.). Each add their own talents and level of depth to the defense that could translate into increased playing time after limited showings last season.
Newcomers Carly Curran (Newtown, Conn.) and Tricia Primomo (Delmar, N.Y.) will also vie for time in the field. Both are incredibly athletic and energetic, with Curran adding the ability break down defenders one-on-one and Primomo specializing in an aggressive and tenacious approach to the game.
Goalie
While all of the field positions are anchored by returning players with years of playing experience, the spot between the pipes will be held by a new and youthful face.
The competition for the starting goalie position has been a battle between two relative newcomers. Sophomore Amanda Wilson has a year of college experience under her belt, but did not log any game minutes during the 2006 season. The Ohio native is described by Cersosimo as a fundamentally sound keeper with great game sense, while her counterpart, Jenna Moulton, is aggressive, quick and athletic in and around the cage.
Moulton comes to UConn as an honorable mention All-American selection with a decorated club and scholastic background.
According to Cersosimo, the battle was too close to call at the start of preseason training camp and both goalkeepers are equally vying for the starting slot. Either way, she knows that, with a little experience, both goalies are capable of great things.
The pride behind UConn Lacrosse has never wavered over the course of its 10-year existence, but there comes a time for every program to change, to grow and to make anew.
This is the time. This is the year.
Welcome to a new era of UConn Women’s Lacrosse.
