BLOOMSBURG—After a successful 2012 season where the Bloomsburg University women's lacrosse team won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship, the Huskies are poised to have another outstanding season in 2013.
The Huskies finished 2012 with an eight-game winning streak ending with a 15-9 victory over Mercyhurst University in the PSAC title game. It was the program's fourth PSAC title and first since 2003. BU completed the season with a 12-7, 7-4 PSAC, record.
In 2013, the Huskies welcome new head coach Mallory Poole, and return all but two players from the conference title team.
BU will have a tough schedule facing seven of the top 15 teams in the country, according to the International Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) pre-season Division II poll.
The Huskies will rely heavily on the seven seniors for 2013, who are consistent and are all hoping to end their lacrosse careers with a shot at the national tournament.
“This is a talented senior class who is carrying the team on their backs and setting the tone through their work ethic and vocal presence on the field” Poole commented.
The attack will be led by senior
Kelsey Metzler (Schwenksville/Perkiomen Valley) who suffered a knee injury last season, but returns for 2013. The rest of the attack will be made up of junior
Ashley Bossert (Ambler/Wissahickon), and sophomores
Grace Malizia (Collegeville/Perkiomen Valley),
Marisa Moley (Phoenixville/Spring-Ford), and
Patrice Coleman (Media/Penncrest ).
Metzler will be relied on to 'quarterback' the attack. Moley and Coleman, both young but experienced players, will also make an impact on the BU offense.
The midfield has great depth this season through the Huskies seniors.
Maggie Canavan (Erdenheim/Springfield),
Natalie Draham (Blue Bell/Wissahickon), and
Sam Mazzie (Barto/Boyertown) will be relied on in the midfield to push for consistency throughout the field.
Mazzie returns after suffering a knee injury in 2012 and looks to make a positive impact on the midfield with her fellow seniors.
Junior
Aubrey Bossert (Ambler/Wissahickon) and sophomores
Julie Falk (Millersville/Penn Manor) and
Shannon Neligan (West Hempstead, NY/Kellenberg Memorial) will also be in the midfield mix.
Falk was named the PSAC Freshman of the Year in 2012 and scored a team-high 97 points with 58 goals and a team-high 39 assists. Poole hopes to build off what Falk produced last season and push her to have an even more dynamic impact to the Huskies.
Aubrey Bossert (Ambler/Wissahickon) and Neligan will be seeing action on both the offensive and defensive sides of the field this season.
Aubrey Bossert (Ambler/Wissahickon) led the team with 59 groundballs and produced a team-high 29 caused turnovers.
On defense, seniors
Amber Shifflett (Pasadena, MD/Chesapeake) and
Shelby Iezzi (Pottstown/Owen J. Roberts) will be the vocal leaders. Iezzi is a strong player and sees the field well. After playing goalie for the last three seasons at Bloomsburg she will move to defense for her senior season.
Sophomores
Carly Ball (Lansdale/North Penn), Allie Campbell,
Amanda Jaynes (Quakertown/Pennridge) and
Morgan Sherriff (Downingtown/Coatesville) will be on defense again this season.
Ball, Campbell, and Shifflett will be leaned on to anchor the defense for the Huskies. The three started all 19 games last season, and have developed their skills and increased their confidence for the 2013 season.
Jaynes and Sherriff will be getting runs as midfielders, as well as getting reps on the defense.
Between the pipes senior Sara Bates (Wading River, NY/Shoreham-Wading River) returns after playing in 18 games last season, starting in 17 accumulating 973 minutes in goal. Her record was 11-7 and she made 154 saves for a .429 save percentage. Bates will be depended on for her overall vision of the field and huge voice to communicate to the team.
Lone freshman Kate Stricker (Burlington, NJ/Holy Cross) is also a goalkeeper and will receive playing time to build up her experience at the collegiate level.
“This is the healthiest team I have ever been around,” said Poole. “The camaraderie on and off the field is amazing. These young women genuinely care for each other and are fighting for the same goals. Their work ethic is unparalleled, and they have a winning attitude that is difficult to instill in players.”
Bloomsburg is ranked 12th in the IWLCA poll to start the season.
“We will kick off the season against Dowling who is ranked just above us in the poll,” Poole stated. “We lost to them last season, so it will be a great way to set the tone for this season.”
Bloomsburg will also be facing sixth ranked Limestone over spring break on March 20, and defending national champions LIU Post, who are the top pick in the IWLCA poll on March 24 at Sports Stadium.
“We have a series of benchmark games right at the beginning of our season,” said Poole. “How we perform will be a good indicator on where we sit, and where we will be headed going into the post-season. We are in position to do great things this season we just need to capitalize on these big opportunities.”
As usual games in the PSAC will be tough with five teams from the conference ranked in the pre-season poll.
“It is safe to say the PSAC is one of the strongest conference in the division,” Poole commented. “Our overall schedule is strong, but it is strengthened through our conference play.
The Huskies look not only to repeat their PSAC title, but to make it to the NCAA post season for the first time since 2003.
Bloomsburg begins its season at Dowling University on March 13 at 4 p.m.
