Feb. 28, 2011
WASHINGTON - Balanced is the only way to describe the 2011 Georgetown University women's lacrosse team. Coming off of a BIG EAST Regular Season Championship, the program's first BIG EAST Tournament Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament, the Hoyas will look to achieve balance in every aspect of the game in order to go even further in 2011.
"We're taking a balanced approach to the season," said Georgetown Head Coach Ricky Fried. "We believe we can match our opponents strengths and take advantage of weaknesses because we are strong at so many positions."
Georgetown returns an experienced group of seniors and a talented junior class. A number of sophomores saw minutes last season and the freshmen arrive on the Hilltop as the top-ranked recruiting class in the nation.
The attack will feature three senior starters that know the system and the coaching staff's expectations.
"We have an intelligent group on attack, they know how we want to play and value possession," said Fried.
Leading the way is senior captain Jordy Kirr who starts her final year on the Hilltop as a member of the Tewaaraton Trophy Watch List. Kirr is a three-time All-BIG EAST honoree and has been named a Regional All-American twice in her career. The attacker was GU's third-leading scorer last season with 30 goals and 17 assists for 47 points. She is among the program's top assist leaders of all time.
Joining Kirr in the starting lineup will be classmates Jacqueline Giles and Kathleen Dwyer along with sophomore Dina Jackson. Giles is a two-year starter who was Georgetown's fourth-leading scorer a season ago with 26 goals and five assists for 31 points. Dwyer has worked her way into a starting role after appearing in all 19 games last season tallying eight goals and two assists. Jackson is the lone underclassmen who had an outstanding rookie campaign with 12 goals and two assists in 15 appearances.
A number of players will compete to fill reserve positions on attack. Senior Mary Wittelsberger will see time as well as sophomore Evan O'Neill who improved over the summer to push for minutes. Junior transfer Molly Early, coming to the Hilltop from the University of Richmond, is a tall, strong attacker that should add depth to the group.
A pair of freshmen will also vie for time in the lineup. Jody Cumberpatch and Reilly Woodman come in as a part of a talented group that may sneak into the rotation.
The coaching staff has a wealth of talent and speed in the midfield with two interchangeable lines. The staff anticipates alternating the starting line to show teams a different look and because each brings something different to the field.
"Our lines our basically interchangeable and we want to play fast," said Fried. "One difference this season is that we'll be scoring out of the midfield much more than in past years."
One line will pair an experienced senior with two explosive freshmen. Senior captain Mary Beth Brophy returns after starting every game last year and posting 12 goals with two assists. She will be joined by freshmen Hannah Franklin and Kelyn Freedman. Both attackers were highly-touted recruits coming out of high school. Freedman was the No. 1 recruit in the nation and Franklin ranked No. 19 overall in her class.
The second line boasts experience with junior Erin Lovett joining sophomore Kelsi Bozel and Sophia Thomas. Lovett was GU's fifth-leading scorer a year ago with 13 goals and nine assists. Bozel and Thomas both saw action as freshmen. Bozel had 13 goals and four assists, while Thomas managed 18 goals and two assists as well as winning the Hoyas' Rookie of the Year award.
Filling in to either of the first two lines will be junior Danielle Van Fossan and sophomore Rosie Corcoran. Van Fossan went from a draw control specialist to more of an all-around player last year. Corcoran saw action in eight games gaining experience and learning the Georgetown system. The freshmen trio of Maggie Brown, Courtney Caputo and Meghan Farrell will make up the incredibly deep and solid midfield. The defense is experienced and will look to defend as well as get the ball out in transition. The starting line lost just one player from last season and will be tough to score on.
"This group is the best combination of experience and athleticism that we've had," said Fried. "Three of the defenders started as midfielders so that brings a more dynamic element to the line."
Senior captain Logan McCraw will lead the way after a breakout season in 2010. McCraw was an All-America honoree and a First Team All-BIG EAST selection. She had 40 ground balls and 32 caused turnovers. Fellow captain and junior Kelly Barnes was an All-BIG EAST honoree and a Regional All-American after moving from the midfield last year. She had five goals and one assist as well as 28 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers. Both McCraw and Barnes begin the season on the Tewaaraton Trophy Watch List.
Rounding out the starting line are junior Carly Napora and sophomore Ashley Hunter. Both saw significant time last year. Napora was a one-on-one specialist and Hunter appeared in all 19 games as a sophomore.
Four players will fill in on this first line all bringing different aspects of the game. Juniors Katie O'Brien and Mary Cannon know the Georgetown system and will push for minutes. Additionally, sophomore Lauren Gray and freshman MJ Coyle have the ability to make an impact on defense.
With the departure of Caitlin Formby, the goalie position is up for grabs. Leading the way is senior Lauren Thomas who learned from Formby. Thomas brings an understanding of the defense and vocal leadership.
Pushing Thomas will be sophomore Abby Bisbee and freshman Barb Black. Bisbee is an emotional leader that responds well to situations. Black has a field presence that teammates and opponents react to as well as remarkable confidence for a first-year player.
The schedule will once again be one of the toughest in the nation with strong out-of-conference opponents lined up early on.
"We schedule these games to prepare ourselves for conference play and for the NCAA Tournament," said Fried.
Georgetown opens with national runner up Northwestern and a trip to Florida. The Hoyas will host perennial-power Duke before going on the road at John's Hopkins and North Carolina before starting conference play.
With BIG EAST matchups against the likes of Syracuse, Notre Dame, Loyola (Md.), Rutgers and Louisville, the conference looks to be as strong as ever.
The Hoyas will host the reigning national champion Maryland Terrapins before closing out the regular season and preparing for the conference tournament. For the second time in three year, the BIG EAST Tournament will be held on the Hilltop May 5 and 7.
With a difficult schedule, balance will be important to match and go beyond the legacy of Georgetown women's lacrosse.
