2008 Hofstra University Women's Lacrosse Outlook

In 2007 the Hofstra Women's Lacrosse team posted a 12-7 record, ranked 16th in the final IWLCA poll, won their first Colonial Athletic Association championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history. The Pride reached their goals due, in large part, to the stellar play of a talented senior class led by three of the finest players to ever don the Pride's blue and gold - Kimberly Hillier, Becky Thorn and Casey McGrath. The trio combined to score 111 of Hofstra's 191 goals in 2007 and added 38 of the squad's 51 assists.

As the team prepares to enter the 2008 season, the graduation of those seniors provides an opportunity to revamp the Pride's strategies on both offense and defense. It would only be natural for one to assume that Hofstra would be in for a bit of a rebuilding season. Don't count Hofstra Head Coach Abby Morgan as one who feels that way. "I think it is easy to underestimate us after losing the seniors we did," said Morgan. "But we had a lot of young players who contributed last year and they form a good core. Plus we have a great incoming class with players that can contribute right away. We have excellent leadership from our captains and seniors class, and we had an outstanding fall season where the team really started to gel and understand their roles for 2008."

Here is a position-by-position look at the 2008 Pride:

Attack

The attack position is shaping up to be a position by committee with the rotation being determined in part by match-ups and who is playing well. Senior Kelly McGrath, who started all 19 games last season and recorded five goals and three assists, returns and will be looked at to provide leadership on the offensive end. Junior Lindyn Soviero, who sat out in 2007 after transferring from Delaware, will also be relied upon to contribute. Soviero, who scored 20 goals for the Blue Hens in 2006, has a good feel for the game and possesses excellent field vision. Junior Jen Bach, a team captain, is another "smart" player and will be asked to serve as the offense's "point guard." Bach played in all 19 games last season and recorded four goals and two assists.

Sophomore Ashley Jones, who had eight goals and two assists for 10 points during her freshman year, will be asked to provide more scoring punch this season. Senior Meghan Radonis, junior Cat Thoreson and sophomore Courtney O'Connor will provide depth at the position. All three players saw limited action last season.

Freshmen Kailey Ruszkowski and Sylvia Queener will be looking to crack the rotation as well. Ruszkowski, the younger sister of defender Alysse Ruszkowski, was an honorable mention All-Suffolk County selection as a senior at Sachem East High School. Queener, a big-time scorer in high school, joins the Pride after earning All-America accolades her final two seasons at Penn Yan Academy in upstate New York.

Midfield

The Hofstra midfield is loaded with talented players and the coaching staff will be challenged to find enough playing time for everyone, though that is a good problem to have. Leading the charge at middie is junior Lauren Whitcomb. A two-year starter, Whitcomb had 23 goals and one assist last season and is the second leading returning scorer behind sophomore Corrine Gandolfi. Although Whitcomb has been a scorer in each of her two seasons, she was able to fly under the radar due to the presence of Hillier, McGrath and Thorn. Now, Whitcomb will be the focus of opposing defenses and will need to rise to the occasion to lead the team offensively.

The position gets a boost from the return of red-shirt sophomore Sandy Wasserbach, who missed all of last season due to injury. Wasserbach had 11 goals and five assists in 2006 and is faster and in better shape than she was before the injury. Gandolfi returns and will be a big factor at midfield. A dynamic and explosive scorer who can impact the game on the defensive end as well, Gandolfi scored 24 goals and added three assists, 23 ground balls and 20 caused turnovers on the season en route to CAA All-Rookie team honors. Sophomore K'Leigh Vanaman also returns after starting 16 of 19 games as a freshman, scoring eight goals and adding 18 ground balls (fourth on the team). Coach Morgan called Vanaman a "smart player and a ground ball machine" and will be looking for more offense from the second-year player.

Junior Jacquelyn Hetzel, sophomore Kristy Bosley and freshman Jennalee Trombley will be key players for the Pride due to their versatility and will likely be utilized in a utility role. Hetzel played in 10 games a season ago and had one goal and two draw controls. Bosley appeared in four games as a freshman and also had one goal. Trombley was an honorable mention All-American as a senior at Penn Yan Academy.

Freshman Stephanie Rice will be an impact player for the Pride. Rice was a two time high school All-American and a 2007 Under Armour All-American at Skaneateles High School in Central, New York. A flat-out scorer, as well as a heady player, Rice led the team in goals during the fall campaign.

Defense

Senior Kerrin Fraser and junior Alysse Ruszkowski return to starting roles and form the core of the Pride defense. Both players started all 19 games in 2007 and are consistent performers that will provide veteran leadership. Fraser scored two goals last season and ranked third on the team with 21 ground balls. Ruszkowski recorded a team-best 27 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers on the way to earning second team All-CAA accolades.

Senior Debbie Stellke, a team captain, also returns after starting 10 of 19 games last season. A great communicator on the field, Stellke notched 14 ground balls. Junior Lauren Eberling and sophomore Bryanna Borrelli add depth to the unit. Eberling played in three games and had one ground ball, while Borrelli made 12 appearances and posted two ground balls and one caused turnover. Sophomores Jenn Olson and Jessica Liberto saw limited action in two games each, but are both hard working players and have shown great improvement.

Newcomer Katie Hertsch, a transfer from Ohio University, which dropped their program, will look to make an immediate impact on the Pride's defensive unit. Hertsch quickly fit into the Hofstra system in the fall and, with her talent and outstanding speed, has the potential for great things. Hertsch was an all-county and all-region performer at Winters Mill High School in Maryland and was also a state gold medalist in the 1600m as a senior.

Freshmen Alex Hannon and Maddie Hannon will also look to crack the defensive rotation. Both players were members of New York State championship teams at Garden City High School.

Goalkeeper

Senior captain Maisie Osteen returns with a great deal of confidence after an impressive 2007 season and a fall campaign where she saw all the action due to an injury to sophomore Mary Cuddihy. Osteen was 12-5 last year with a 10.01 goals against average and 154 saves. Cuddihy played in six games with an 11.18 goals against average and 14 saves. Both goalies will compete for playing time and the friendly competition benefits both players.

Schedule

The Pride's schedule will be competitive as always with five opponents that finished in the final IWLCA poll of 2007, and Morgan is excited about the addition of Notre Dame, at Shuart Stadium on March 25, and a trip to play NCAA quarterfinalist Syracuse at the Carrier Dome on March 9. Three-time defending National Champion Northwestern also highlights the non-conference schedule as the Wildcats visit Hempstead on February 26.

The CAA race should be wide open as graduation claimed a good deal of top talent from around the league.