The Georgetown women’s lacrosse team, ranked fourth in the nation by Lacrosse Magazine’s preseason poll, will aim to return to the NCAA finals this year, despite losing six starters to graduation. Included in the Hoyas’ graduating class was attack Sheehan Stanwick, the most prolific scorer in the 25-year history of the program.
“I see us winning the national championship,” said junior guard Claire Foster. “People thought that if there was any time we would do something big it was last year, and they don’t think that will carry over. We need to recognize that even though we are a different team, we have the potential to do even better.”
Last year, the No. 2 ranked Hoyas went all the way to the NCAA Championship, ending their best season ever with a 17-3 record. Head Coach Kim Simians sees this success working to the advantage of the 2001-02 squad. “I definitely think that there’s pressure following a great season, but we handled being the team to beat very well last season,” she said.
This year, the team will look to co-captains Erin Elbe, Kristin Raneri and Melissa Biles for strong leadership, according to Simians. Elbe, a senior preseason All-American attack is “unbelievably talented and really respected by the whole team,” Simians said.
Biles, a junior, will most likely be the team’s mark-up defender this season. Senior goalie Chandler Vicchio will also play an integral role for the Hoyas.
“[Vicchio’s leadership] will be essential for us this season,” said Simians. “She hasn’t started for us before … and she will need to step it up in her new position.”
The Hoyas will face some major challenges on their way to the NCAA championship. “We have a challenging schedule and all the teams we’re playing will be gunning for us. We were the No. 2 team in the country last year; everyone wants their shot at us,” said Simians.
In addition, the young team will have to adjust to playing without its old leaders. “We have a lot of new faces on the field,” said Foster. “We need to get used to playing with each other … it’s going to be important for us to play team attack since everyone will be looking to Erin to carry the offense. That’s when some of our other players can really step up,” she said.
Simians agrees. “We still need to work on team chemistry and come together offensively and defensively. That intangible unity on the field that takes over when you start playing a game?that still needs some time,” she said.
