Boston College Athletics
Lacrosse Set For 2005 Season
March 01, 2005 | Lacrosse
March 1, 2005
Chestnut Hill, Mass. - Head coach Shari Krasnoo and the 2005 Boston College women's lacrosse team are looking to improve off last season's 6-11 record. With 16 players returning from last year's squad and the addition of six newcomers, the Eagles will add depth to a young, but experienced team.
Over winter break, the team traveled to Australia and New Zealand. The Eagles had a chance to face international competition and prepare for the regular season. "The trip to Australia had many facets to it in terms of group bonding and chemistry of the team," Krasnoo said. "We are a really close team but I think it helped for the players to get to know each other for a longer period of time. In terms of our play, I think we definitely brought our game to a different level. It was exciting for the team to see that they can play at a high level and gain lots of confidence in their individual and team play."
The 2005 BC squad is led by four seniors. Co-captain Susie Breaznell and Courtney Legath are coming off strong offensive seasons and will charge the attack. Breaznell, a Preseason All-Big East selection, returns as last year's leading scorer with 35 goals. "She has really elevated her game," Krasnoo said. "She is going to be a valuable asset for us and we will look to her to be a big scorer."
Legath had a strong year with 21 goals and a team-high 16 assists last season. "Courtney is an extra coach on the field and demonstrates great leadership," Krasnoo said. "She has a tremendous amount of experience and will help lead the offense."
Allie Lloyd is back for her sophomore season. After missing last season due to a torn ACL, Lloyd is expected to make an impact up top for BC. Freshman Caitrin Ryan will also be an addition to the attack. Ryan, a First Team All-American as a senior at Wilton High School, tallied 354 career points on 248 goals and 106 assists.
In the midfield the Eagles welcome back seniors Carley St. Lucia and Jackie Yovankin. As a junior, St. Lucia was named to the All-Big East First Team. She scored 26 goals and dished out 12 assists. She also picked up a team-leading 42 groundballs. This year St. Lucia has been voted co-captain by her teammates and unanimously selected to the Preseason All-Big East team. "Carley really has developed as a player since her freshman year," Krasnoo said. "She sees the field very well and has a great work. Her stick work has improved since the first day she arrived on campus and she is really committed to having a successful year."
Yovankin played in BC's first 10 games last year, but missed the second half of the season with an injury. She won 18 draw controls and caused 16 turnovers in 10 games. "Jackie is one of those players who finds a way to come up with the loose ball and win a draw control," Krasnoo said. "She is a magnet to the ball and always makes big plays at crucial times."
Juniors Lizette Blohm, Elizabeth Kadison, and Brooke Wilson will also be assets in the midfield. Last season Blohm played in 12 games and won 15 draw controls. In her first season with the Eagles, Kadison played in all 17 games and notched 12 points on nine goals and three assists. Wilson saw action in seven contests last year and picked up eight groundballs. "Brooke is going the extra mile and knows what she needs to do to get the ball," Krasnoo said. "She is a hard worker with good speed and stick skills."
Katherine Wagoner, Libby Schuville, Claire Bowersox, and Brennan Joyce return for their sophomore campaigns. "As freshmen last year they needed to adjust to the college game and learn defensively what they needed to do," Krasnoo said. "Now they are able to run their game in the midfield and give us scoring. They also give us more options in the midfield."
Freshmen Caitlin Swift and Shauna Culhane will bring speed and a scoring punch to the midfield. In three years at Archbishop Spaulding, Swift tallied 252 points on 117 goals and 135 assists. Culhane, an Honorable Mention All-American at Winchester High School, scored 158 goals and 67 assists in three years.
Defensively, Krasnoo will look to junior Alana Vivolo to lead a young back line. Last season Vivolo picked up 35 groundballs and caused a team-high 20 turnovers. "Alana is a really tough one-on-one defender," Krasnoo said. "She is a great communicator and excellent athlete and will definitely be one of the team leaders in the back."
Sophomore Meghan Davis was a large part of the defense last year after playing in 11 contests. "She has improved so much, especially in her stick work," Krasnoo said. "She is very committed to the program and continues to work hard on the field." Brittany Barry will also see action in the back. Last season she appeared in five games for the Eagles.
Freshmen Catharine Saylor and Molly Kane will also integral parts of the defensive unit for the Eagles. Both played at strong high school programs and will add depth defensively.
In goal Tara McKennett has gained experience over the past two seasons. She saw action in 15 games last year and posted a save percentage of .420. Freshman Courtney Zwirko will compete will McKennet for the starting job. Zwirko compiled a 63-6-2 record as a four-year starter at Longmeadow High School. "Both of them have really challenged each other and as a result their play has elevated," Krasnoo said.
In the 2005 season, Krasnoo and the Eagles will look to take advantage of their strong leadership and young talent. BC opens play on Wednesday, March 2 at Fairfield. The game starts at 4 p.m.
