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Molly Sennett, a three-time all-Great Lakes Region selection, |
With key players returning at several positions and solid depth at others, The College of Wooster's women's lacrosse team will look to carry over momentum from last season's strong finish and make yet another run to the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.
The Fighting Scots, which have won nearly 70 percent (97-46-1, .677) of their games under 10th-year coach Elizabeth Ford, experienced an uncharacteristic 0-5 start a year ago. The team rebounded, though, winning five of its last seven games, including three in a row down the stretch, to keep its streak of 16-straight NCAC Tournament appearances alive.
"Our team is really optimistic about this season," said Ford. "We have a nice mix of returners and young talent, and a lot of our players can help us in a variety of ways. There's going to be at least six teams vying for those four tournament spots this year, and we're going to be right there in the mix."
The offense should remain potent with its top three goal scorers all set to return, including two-time all-region (first-team) midfielder Ellie Hudson-Heck. With 85 goals over the past two seasons, Hudson-Heck is one of the league's most dangerous scoring options, and in addition, she is among Wooster's best at groundballs, caused turnovers, and draw controls, making her a key component in everything the team wants to do.
"I think the best is still to come with Ellie," declared Ford. "She was purely an attacker in high school. We thought we could get more out of her athleticism by playing her in the midfield. She has not only embraced the change, but she has shown a real tenacity as a defender. And she continues to improve."
Joining Hudson-Heck will be fellow junior Abby Szlachta and senior Shelby Stone, who provide the Scots additional firepower on the offensive end. Szlachta broke out for 30 goals last season, with a team-high 10 coming on free-position shots, while Stone was named all-conference (honorable mention) with a 44-point campaign (26 goals, 18 assists).
Yet another returning starter is senior Ashley Parry, who is a candidate to take over the "X" position behind the goal this year, while returners Heather Honn, Heather Szymanski, and Jamie Wren-Jarvis, as well as newcomers Helena Enders, Mariel Ward, and Kate Witt, should all factor into what has the makings of a dangerous attack.
While there isn't as much depth on the defensive side of the ball, having three-time all-region pick Molly Sennett roaming the backfield should make it hard on opposing goal scorers. Sennett has been one of the most impressive defenders in the Great Lakes Region over the last three years, with 88 caused turnovers to her credit, and she'll once again look to help Wooster by taking away the opponent's top offensive threat.
Along with Sennett is senior Emily Turnbull, a steady presence as a regular starter the last two seasons, as well as junior Haylie Honn, who earned a starting position last year and ranked among the team leaders with 25 groundballs and 10 caused turnovers. Several other players will compete for more significant roles, either at midfield or defender, including returners Wynn Boehmcke, Averi Lassiter, and Shannan Pullara, and first-years Michaela Lawrence and Mara Sheban.
The Scots' goalkeeper will be junior Isabel Perman, who should continue to improve after playing her first full season at the position last year.
"Isabel had never played goalkeeper at any level before coming here," said Ford. "She was a field player who made the switch to help our team. She has done really well considering everything, but she has higher expectations for herself. This is her position now, and she is going into this season with a different mentality. She is improving her technique, she's been in the weight room … she continues to get better every day."