Feb. 18, 2010
WASHINGTON - While come-from-behind victories and overtime wins defined the 2009 Georgetown University women's lacrosse squad, it will be up to the talented group of returners to carve a new piece of history in 2010. Georgetown returns almost its entire starting midfield and attack from last season and despite heavy losses in the defensive corps the Blue & Gray is once again looking to stay at the top of the BIG EAST.
The Hoyas capped off last season with a BIG EAST Regular Season Championship, its third trip to the conference tournament championship game in as many years and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. With the success comes valuable experience for the veteran-laden squad that is poised to achieve even more in 2010.
Georgetown has a pair of All-Americans returning with senior captains Molly Ford on the attack and Ashby Kaestner in the midfield. Combined with All-BIG EAST selection Jordy Kirr and senior All-BIG EAST goalie Caitlin Formby, the Hoyas have a number of weapons at their disposal.
Where fans can expect to see new faces is on defense as the Blue & Gray lost its entire starting line including All-American and BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Bridget Noon as well as All-American Jordan Trautman.
With new opponents added to the BIG EAST and a schedule that includes some of the best in the nation, the 2010 Georgetown women's lacrosse season will be a challenge for Head Coach Ricky Fried and his staff. However, the Blue & Gray's skilled combined with a little bit of the magic from last season promises big things for the Hoyas in 2010.
ATTACK
The attack will stay consistent with the return of Ford and All-BIG EAST honoree Kirr. Ford was one of the top scorers in the conference last season and led the Hoyas with 72 points on a squad-high 55 goals and 17 assists. Her six game-winners were the most on the team and her ability to find the back of the cage makes her one of the most dangerous scorers in the conference.
Complementing Ford on the attack is the junior Kirr who was a full-time starter last season and led the Hoyas with a team-high 25 assists. In just her third season on the Hilltop, Kirr's numbers put here near the top of the career assist list but she is more than just a passer with 39 goals to her credit in 2009.
Returning to the attack after suffering a season-ending injury last year in the preseason is graduate student Bunny O'Reilly who will bring maturity to the squad after five seasons with the Hoyas. As a sophomore, O'Reilly had 24 goals and 13 points for 37 assists but her junior season was cut short due to injury. Now back to full strength, she will be an asset to the attack with her ability to dodge. She brings an in-depth knowledge of the offense and will lead on the attack.
Competing for a starting role is senior Sarah Seats who saw action in all 19 games last season with 12 goals and four assists to her credit. Seats is a quick player that can get to the cage and the staff will rely on her to take on a larger role this season. Also looking to move into the lineup is junior Jacqueline Giles who started all 19 games last year as the fourth-leading scorer on the squad with 23 goals. Joining them is junior Kathleen Dwyer who has improved on the Hilltop and is expected to take on a larger role with her game sense and skills on the attacking end.
Sophomore Mary Cannon rounds out the returning attackers after continuing to improve over her freshman year and the fall. Looking to break into the lineup is freshman Dina Jackson who comes to Georgetown as a highly-touted recruit who was on the 2009 All-Tewaaraton squad at The Bullis School in Potomac, Md. Teammate Evan O'Neill will also add depth as a pure scorer.
MIDFIELD
Kaestner returns to lead the midfield after an outstanding junior season. Despite suffering a season-ending injury in last year's NCAA Tournament game against Princeton, Kaestner is back for her final season on the Hilltop and already ranks as one of the best Hoyas in program history. She will be flanked by junior Mary Beth Brophy who appeared in 18 games last season and had 12 goals to her credit playing an integral role on the second line. Rounding out the first line will be last year's team rookie of the year Kelly Barnes who had nine goals and five assists last season for 14 points tying her seventh in scoring.
Sophomore Erin Lovett is expected to lead the second line after having a breakout season as a freshman appearing in all 19 games and notching 14 points. She will look to take on a larger role as a returner. Freshman Kelsi Bozel is expected to make an impact as a rookie after earning All-America honors as a senior at Notre Dame prep in Hunt Valley, Md. Bozel can shoot on the run and is incredibly quick which will enhance the midfield. Sophomore Danielle Van Fossan started all 19 games last year as the Hoyas' draw control specialist. She will continue to play that role but is looking to enhance it adding to her on-field repertoire. Freshman Sophia Thomas rounds out those expected to break into one of the first two lines coming to Georgetown as one of the top players in the Baltimore area. Thomas is a strong, athletic midfielder that can get to the goal.
Rounding out the midfield are juniors Mary Wittlesberger and Catie Caputo. Both saw limited action last year, but have improved over the offseason to push those ahead of them for minutes. Freshman Rosie Corcoran will add athleticism and depth to one of the most talented midfield corps in recent memory.
DEFENSE
The Georgetown defense will hold the most questions marks for the squad after losing almost the entire starting line to graduation. Senior Emily Bock returns with the most experience starting 11 of 16 games played in the defensive midfield last season. Bock brings tenacious athleticism and athletic defense to the field. She will be joined by junior Logan McCraw who has also moved to the defensive end of the field after spending two seasons in the midfield. Last year she appeared in all 19 games and scored five goals with three assists. McCraw is a strong 1v1 defender with good athletic instincts. Bock and McCraw will step up as leaders and will be joined by sophomore Carly Napora on the first line after appearing in 12 games starting in two last season.
Senior captain Jacqueline Proch is expected to make an impact after seeing time in 10 games last year. Her leadership will be vital to the success of the defensive corps. Classmate Blake Sheehan is a strong, vocal defender who will also look to move into the lineup.
Freshman Ashley Hunter should play a key role on the defensive end with her speed and agility making her an asset. Rounding out the defense is sophomore Katie O'Brien and freshman Lauren Gray both have an opportunity to move into a more meaningful role after the upheaval of the unit due to graduation.
GOALIES
Formby returns in the cage for the Hoyas after another outstanding season. Formby is an All-BIG EAST performer who started all 19 games last year. She posted 139 saves and ranks as one of the top keepers in program history.
Formby will once again be pushed by junior Lauren Thomas who saw action in eight games last year and has played some quality minutes. Joining the group is freshman Abby Bisbee who comes to the Hilltop from the Bryn Mawr School.
Georgetown has its work cut out for it in 2010 with a challenging schedule featuring eight squads that ended last season in the national polls and three of the four NCAA Tournament semifinalists including national champion Northwestern and runner-up North Carolina.
Despite the tough road ahead, this is one of the most talented and cohesive teams in years and the coaching staff feels the squad has the ability to rise to the challenge among the nation's elite.
