Mercy College 2011 Women's Lacrosse Preview

The Mercy College women’s lacrosse team will look to build upon their successful 2010 season as they enter into their second year of competition. Chosen to finish fifth overall in the East Coast Conference preseason poll, the young Mavericks will work to improve upon last year’s winning record (8-6 overall, 3-4 ECC).

The challenging 2011 schedule will require leadership from returning key players as well as the significant contributions from the freshmen class.

THE ATTACK

Up front, the attack will look a little different this season. Returning is sophomore Marissa Hurley (Shirley, N.Y./William Floyd), the team’s leading returning goal-scorer. Coming off last season with 43 goals and 9 assists, Hurley’s deceptiveness around the crease will be a key factor for Mercy’s attack. Mercy will also call upon freshmen Kelsey Bub (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas) and Kristen Znaniecki (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Comsewogue) to be key play-makers on the offensive side of the ball. “The natural ability of our attack has developed so well,” states second year head coach Francesca DeLorenzo. “The chemistry and confidence we have will help us get to where we want to be this season.”

THE MIDFIELD

The midfield has added both depth and experience for the 2011 season. Returning starters are sophomore captains Kelsey Sullivan (Mastic, N.Y./Eastport South Manor) and Julie Darnulc (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin), who are each coming off remarkable seasons. Sullivan, a second team All-Conference player from a year ago, led Mercy last year in assists with 15, ground balls with 45, and caused turnovers with 17. Once again, she will be called upon this year to fill many important roles. Darnulc, who is an aggressive player and one of the team’s best communicators, will work together with Sullivan to guide the midfield unit.

The midfield deepens with the addition of freshmen Tracey Wandle (Rocky Point, N.Y./Rocky Point), Elizabeth Rjedkin (Colts Neck, N.J./Colts Neck), and Meesha Robinson (Redondo Beach, Calif./Redondo Union). Of the unit, DeLorenzo commented, “Each of these players is unique in their style of play and in what they bring to the team. It is the combination of all of their strengths that we will rely upon in games, and ultimately, what will make us successful.”

THE DEFENSE

Junior tri-captain Dana Harjus (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) and sophomore Brittany Ott (Copiague, N.Y./Copaigue), will anchor the Mercy defense. Providing additional defensive support will be sophomore Callie Schwichtenberg (San Diego, Calif./Granite Hills) and junior transfer Gina Sepe (Deer Park, N.Y./Deer Park/Molloy). “Our defense has worked tirelessly to function as a single unit, emphasize communication, and exercise patience. There is a great deal of trust between all of them, and that is very important,” DeLorenzo says.

Rounding out the defensive effort in goal is sophomore Stephanie DiLegge (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore), who returns as a goalie after playing midfield last season. “DiLegge has a great sense of the field and the defense. She is tough and smart, two things that are essential in goal, and for her, it just comes natural,” DeLorenzo says of her goalie.

THE COACHES

Not only has Mercy added new players, but they have also added a new member to the coaching staff, Jacqueline Pierce (Sacred Heart University ’10). She will join second-year assistant coaches Megan Frey and Kimberly DeLorenzo. “Jackie has a keen eye for the game, especially from a defensive perspective. She will be a key factor in our success this season”, says second-year head coach Francesca DeLorenzo.

THE SCHEDULE

The Mavericks will face a 17 game schedule in 2011, competing against only NCAA Division II teams.

The season opener is at Chestnut Hill College on Saturday, March 5.

This year’s slate includes new non-conference competition, including Southern Connecticut State, Millersville, Kutztown, Assumption, and Shippensburg. In conference, Mercy will again face perennial powerhouse C.W. Post, as well as the University of Bridgeport, which will be playing its inaugural season.

DeLorenzo states that the schedule, “is much more challenging this year, but our team is certainly worthy of it. We just want to go out and play our very best in every single game. This team sets a true example of hard work, and hard work gets rewarded once you start playing games”.

The team and coaches look forward to an exciting 2011 season with their returning players as well as eleven new members. “Last year, we were a very young and inexperienced team. This year, our returning players, plus our new talent, will bring an entirely new dynamic to our game.” DeLorenzo added, “We can’t wait to see the differences out on the field.”