MU women's lax looking for conference threepeat
Hawks will be led by Brennan, Johnson
BY DOUG McKENZIE Correspondent
There is no question the Monmouth University women's lacrosse teamentered this season wearing a bulls-eye.

After winning the last two Northeast Conference championships, the Hawks were voted the preseason co-favorites, along with Mt. St. Mary's, by the NEC head coaches.

While the Hawks are excited about the idea of becoming the first lacrosse team in school history to win three straight NEC titles, head coachKelly Van Zile is being careful not to let her team get ahead of itself.

The Hawks lost six starters (including three starters) to graduation, led byAll-NEC attacker Carolyn Raveia and Second Team All-Region midfielder Katie Degen. However, the cupboards are far frombare, asMU still has one of the more talented rosters in the conference,with solid, experienced players scattered throughout the field.

"It's exciting for the team that even as the competition in the league is getting stronger every year,Monmouth is still recognized by the league coaches as one of top teams in our conference," Van Zile said.

Monmouth returns four senior starters, two junior starters, and a good sophomore class led by reigning NEC Rookie of the Year Megan Brennan (King of Prussia, Pa.).

"The team has great talent and will be guided with excellent leadership from our senior and junior classes," Van Zile said.

The defense is led by junior goalie Monica Johnson (Radnor, Pa.), a two-time all-NEC performer who has started every game over the last two years for Monmouth, and has compiled a 28-12 record during that time. With Johnson between the pipes, the Monmouth defense is among the conference's best once again.

Freshman KirbyMundorf (Catonsville, Md.) will spell Johnson at times, and has impressed her coach with her ability.

"The two make up a solid unit as one brings valuable playing experience and the other brings natural talent and is a positive addition to the team."

The defense is led by senior captain Jessica Piccuito (North Caldwell), an all-NEC performer as a sophomore, who has started every game over the last two years. She is joined by fellowsenior Jackie Trainer (Upper Holland, Pa.), who played in 16 games last year. Junior ErinMarley (Colombia,Md.) is another experienced player in the backfield, while sophomore Kelly Bosco (Gulph Mills, Pa.) started 20 games last year and played well for the Hawks.

Among the newcomers to the MU defense are freshmen Allison Geoghan (Highland, Md.) and Danielle Hawkins (Havre de Grace, Md.), both of whom were stars for their respective high school teams.

With a solidmix of experience and talent, Van Zile is confident that the defense will again be strength for theHawks this spring.

"A solid defensive force is created with the game knowledge and playing experience," she said. "As a cohesive group, their impact is in their ability to create turnovers and contain top players on opposing teams."

While Degen's loss will certainly affect the midfield, it remains the Hawks' deepest group of players.

"We are returning a core group of veteran midfielders who we will look to control the pace of the game," the coach said. "Our transition will shine with the speed, talent and experience our midfielders possess."

With senior captains Megan Nutter (Moorestown) and former Shore Regional star Ashley Waldman will lead the way once again, as they did a year ago when they both earned All-NEC honors. The speedy Waldman in particular has shown a penchant for scoring in big spots, as she led the team in game-winning goals a year ago (with four), including the clincher in the final minute of the NEC title game.

Monmouth also returns sophomores Perry DeWitt (Malvern, Pa.) andAli Pollock (Watervliet,N.Y.) to themidfield,where they both showed promise last season. Pollock is considered one of theNEC's rising stars after 23 goals last season for the Hawks.

Van Zile has also added four promising freshmen to the midfield, including Kaitlin Feeney (Baltimore, Md.), Rachel Fierstein (Smithtown, N.Y.), Carissa Franzi (Fairfield) and Molly O'Brien (Unionville, Pa.). The quartet of newcomers also come to Monmouth after enjoying stellar high school careers at their respective schools, adding further credence to the notion that MU is becoming a hotbed for some of the best women's lacrosse recruits in the area.

It is on the attack where Monmouth has some question marks. Raveia's departure leaves seniors Coleen Burg (Marlton) and Brittany Scott, a former Freehold Township star, as the go-to players, along with Brennan.

Back on the attack are sophomores Shawn Evans (Moorestown) and Brittany McLaughlin (Coram, N.Y.), while freshmen Renae Hill (Ellicot City, Md.) and Krystin Shand (Massapequa, N.Y.) should also bolster the line-up.

"Our advantage is the depth we have with many players competing or playing time to lead the offense," Van Zile said. "I'm looking forward to the talent to gel as they come together into a strong offensive unit."

Under Van Zile, the Hawks have consistently peaked at the end of the season, precisely when the games matter most. With some of the NEC's most talented players scattered throughout the line-up, it's easy to see why the Hawks are being held in such high regard once again.

If this team reaches its potential, it will be very tough to dethrone.

Notes… Monmouth knew it was in for a stiff test on Sunday when the Hawks welcomed a very good Stony Brook team to Kessler Field for a nonconference affair.

Unfortunately, the Hawks were not up to the challenge, falling behind 7-2 in the first half en route to an 18-9 loss to the Seawolves.With the loss,MU fell to 4-2 on the year, while the Seawolves of theAmerica East improved to 4-2 with the win.

Stony Brook was the better team throughout on Sunday, outshooting the Hawks 49-26 for the game, including 27-9 in the first half. Stony Brook also held 20- 9 advantage on draw controls, including a 12-6 lead in the first 30 minutes.

AfterMegan Brennan got the Hawks on the board just a half minute into the game, Stony Brook knotted the gamewith aDiana Caroleo goal just 20 seconds later. The Seawolves took their first lead at the 25:17mark when Hallion again hit the net, beforeMU's Megan Nutter scored off a free position opportunity just a minute later. The tie didn't last long though, as Hallion scored again to put the visitor's on top 3-2.

With Monmouth goalie Monice Johnson doing everything she could to keep the Seawolves from putting this one away early, something had to give.

Eventually, Stony Brook freshman Melissa Cook notched a pair of goals within a four-minute span, while Hallion, Kaitlin Leggio and freshman Victoria Cable also added scores before the break to give Stony Brook a comfortable lead.

Monmouth finally snapped the 7-0 Stony Brook scoring runwhenNutter fed Brennan from behind the cage to cut the lead to 9-3, but SBU's Cook answered less than a minute later after another Monmouth turnover to keep the advantage at seven.

After another Stony Brook tally, Monmouth's Ashley Waldman added a free position goal to trim the lead to 11-4. The Hawks got on the board again when Nutter slashed to the net and Ali Pollack found her for the goal with 22:23 left in the game. The Hawks pushed their run to 3-0 after Brennan scored a wrap around goal to cut the lead to 11-6 with 19:44 left, however, the Seawolves responded with a pair of goals to run their lead to 13-6.

Stony Brook then added five more goals to make their insurmountable advantage 16-6 with 10:14 left in the contest. Waldman stopped Stony Brook's 5-0 scoring run with an unassisted tally with 7:42 left in the game to cut the lead back into single digits, before Carissa got into the scoring act with a goal off an assist from Nutter to cut the lead to 16-8 with less than four minutes left.

For the game, Nutter, who also had two assists, and Brennan each led MU with three goals, while Waldman added a pair of scores. Leggio scored five goals for SBU, while Hallion and Cook each scored four.

Johnson logged a career-high 22 saves in the contest for Monmouth. Franzi added four ground balls and three draw controls for the Hawks as well.

Monmouth returns to action today when they visit Sacred Heart for their NEC season opener. Game time is set for 4 p.m.