Feb. 17, 2006
Washington, D.C. - The Georgetown University women's lacrosse team will travel to Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania for a series of scrimmage games on Saturday, February. 18.
The Hoyas, ranked tenth by Lacrosse Magazine preseason poll and 12th by Inside Lacrosse, square off with George Mason at 11 a.m. before GU takes on BIG EAST Conference foe Notre Dame at 2 pm. Georgetown concludes their competition at 5 pm. against Pennsylvania. All three contests are made up of two 25-minute halves.
The Hoyas, under second-year Head Coach Ricky Fried, were selected to win the BIG EAST Conference as voted on by the league coaches at the end of January. It marked the fifth consecutive season GU has been selected as the pre-season favorites.
Leading the Hoyas this season will be juniors Coco Stanwick (Baltimore, Md./Notre Dame Prep) and Chole Asselin (Talloires, France/Edgemont). Stanwick has been selected as the BIG EAST Pre-season Offensive Player of the Year, while Asselin earned league Pre-season Defensive Player of the Year accolades. The duo is joined on the All-BIG EAST Pre-season Team by teammate senior defender Stephanie Zodtner (Wayne, Pa./Conestoga).
The strength of the team will be its defensive unit with four starters returning to a team that ranked seventh in the nation last year with 26.0 ground balls per contest.
Zodtner earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors after leading the league with 44 ground balls and ranking second on the team with 25 caused turnovers. The tenacious competitor will most likely draw one of the opponent's top offensive threats.
Senior Kristin Smith (Berwyn, Pa./Conestoga) ranked third on the team last season in minutes played. She ranked eighth on the team in ground balls and plays fantastic defense around the crease. Her improved confidence could lead to a dominating season.
Asselin, Laura Cipro (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Hebron), Megan Ellis (Essex Fells, N.J./West Essex) and Ali Rogers (Cortland Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas) make up the rest of the experienced group.
Asselin had a terrific sophomore campaign earning IWLCA/US Lacrosse Third Team All-American honors and was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year. The native of France, Asselin led the team in caused turnovers and ranked fourth on the team in ground balls. She has a tremendous work ethic and took home the team's Most Improved Player Award.
Cipro started and played in 11 games last season before missing seven games due to injury. The Ellicott City, Md. native totaled 19 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers and will be asked to be an integral part of the Hoyas' transition game. Cipro's quick feet, deceptive strength and outstanding checking will play a key role in the Hoyas' pressure defense
Ellis, who played in 15 games last season, possesses deceptive strength and can outwork opponents.
Rogers started on seven different occasions last year collecting eight ground balls and 13 caused turnovers. She can give the defense a spark with her aggressive style and ability to land a check.
Georgetown opens the season on Sunday, February 26 when they travel to Mt. St. Mary's in Emmittsburg, Md.
