Nina Dine leads what should be a potent Wooster offense in 2011.

With seven returning starters, including first-team all-region attacker Nina Dine, and several others ready to step up into larger roles, The College of Wooster women's lacrosse team appears poised to compete for its third-consecutive North Coast Athletic Conference title, and seventh in the last 10 years, during the upcoming 2011 season.

The Scots likely surprised some people last season, when they went 12-4 and won the NCAC Tournament despite introducing seven new starters, most notably, a first-year goalkeeper. But the team's mix of youth and experience jelled together, turning what was thought to be a rebuilding year into an appearance at the NCAA Div. III Championships.

"There is no question that we exceeded expectations last season," said Ford. "We had lost a considerable amount of talent, but our new players took that opportunity and came around a lot quicker than anyone expected. I think with the loss of some key players this year, we may be in a similar situation where we have to surprise some people again."

With the graduation of Becca Worthington, Amy Denny, and Britta Harman, all-conference selections of the attack, midfield, and defense, respectively, the Scots will once again have significant holes to fill despite having a solid class of returners. However, the attack line appears to be dangerous once again, as Dine and Madison Carey return to form one of the NCAC's best scoring duos.

Dine was second in the league a season ago with 4.25 points per game (51 goals, 17 assists), and could be leaned on even more in 2011 with the loss of Worthington's 45 goals.  She scored at least once in every game last year, with 11 hat tricks, and will likely stand among the top scorers in program history by season's end. Carey, a junior, had a breakout season, increasing her goal total of 11 from her freshman year to 39, while adding 13 assists.

Also rejoining the team is senior Eileen Barrer, who Ford believes will add a solid boost to the offense. Barrer was beginning to come into her own near the end of her sophomore season, when she scored a hat trick in the team's NCAA Tournament game against St. John Fisher College, but hasn't played with the team since because she studied abroad last spring. As a four-year standout with Wooster's field hockey team, Barrer will add a scorer's mentality and leadership to this year's squad.

The midfield is the Scots' deepest position, highlighted by sophomore Clare Nelson-Johnson, who chipped in 33 goals and five assists as a freshman, and is expected to see an uptick in those numbers this year. With the loss of draw control specialist Denny, junior Jaqueline Wallat is the favorite to take over that role, while improving on her seven-goal effort from a season ago.

Also likely to see major minutes along the midfield will be seniors Katie Smart and Emily Meyer, who ranked seventh (9 goals, 12 assists) and eight (10 goals 2 assists), respectively, among the team's points leaders last season. Freshman Cassie Greenbaum has also shown promise, according to Ford, and could help out with draw controls and add some goals right from the get-go, while sophomore Molly Scherer and Megan Piemonte will look to get more involved in their second years with the team.

The defense will experience the most significant changes, with four-year starter, and first-team all-region selection Harman and classmate Eileen Hagen gone from the mix. Junior Isabel Baylor returns with the most experience, and along with sophomore Kari Martyniak, the duo's quick and aggressive style has prompted the coaches to switch up the team's defensive philosophy in 2011.

"We are going to try and put a lot of pressure on our opponents to create turnovers," said Ford. "Isabel and Kari are going to be key with this because they are both strong and quick, and are able to stay in front of the ball."

Several others are candidates to be part of the defensive rotation, with junior Emily Johnson being the most likely to see a boost in playing time from a season ago. Adding more depth to the line will be junior Jacqueline Weixel and sophomore Lauren Vargo.

Back in goal is sophomore Shawna Ferris, who started every game during her freshman campaign, and was one of just three 'keepers in the conference with 100 or more saves (106). Her solid season earned her second-team all-conference accolades, and she is poised for an even better year with college experience now under her belt.

Along with previously mentioned Greenbaum, women's soccer player Alison Schlothauer, Eliza Perry, and goalkeeper Sarah Ragosta make up this year's freshman class, who all will vie to log minutes.