By Shane Ostroski
Sports Editor

The Marywood University Women’s Lacrosse Team, under the direction of head coach Rob Brooks,  is working hard in preparation for the start of the 2010 season. The Pacers, who finished last season with a 7-9 record, were picked to finish fourth in the CSAC Women’s Pre-Season Lacrosse Poll, but the team hopes to finish better than predicted. Sophomore Defenseman Stephanie Naro defined the team’s goal in an interview with The Wood Word. “We want to make the CSAC playoffs again this season. We made it to the playoffs last year and it was a great experience, we obviously weren’t too happy with the outcome, but we are using it as motivation this year.” The Pacers, who earned the number four seed in the CSAC playoffs, lost to top seed Gwynedd- Mercy in a hard fought battle. The Pacers will have to overcome a big obstacle throughout the season. The team only has 14 players on the roster, which is just two more than is required on the field to play. With the lack of depth, it is pivotal for the Pacers to remain injury free and be in tip top physical shape. “ Our coaches have made conditioning a major point of emphasis in our training because we are short on players. We know we will be limited on substitutions throughout the season, so being in shape is very important,” said Naro.

Senior Defenseman Carrie Glenn, Junior Goalie Katie Sullivan and Junior Attacker Alexis Willey will be called on to lead the Pacers, as the trio was named team captains. Glenn was named to the Second Team All CSAC last season, netting 3 goals while assisting on 3 others. Glenn also caused 43 turnovers on defense, ranking her 7^th nationally. Sullivan started all 14 games for the Pacers in goal, averaging 14.79 saves per game ranking her second in the nation. Sullivan finished the 2009 campaign with 207 saves on her way to being named Second Team All CSAC. Willey scored 11 goals while accumulating a team best 9 assists. Sophomore Attacker Taylor McKeown, who was named CSAC Rookie of the Year and First Team All CSAC, scored 73 goals ranking her 13^th in the nation, while adding 2 assists for the Pacers. Junior Midfielder Allie Sodl finished second on the team with 37 goals, assisting on 4 others while gathering 47 groundballs. Junior Midfielder Jennifer Silvestri added 14 goals and 4 assists while picking up 32 groundballs. Senior Attacker Kelly Kuzicki finished the season with 6 points, scoring 5 goals while earning an assist. Junior Attacker Meg Barbarino started 11 games, scoring 3 goals and adding 2 assists while scooping 22 groundballs. Junior Defenseman Alexis Boyle started 9 games for the Pacers, registering 10 groundballs. Naro started 6 games, adding 22 groundballs and causing 5 turnovers. Sophomore Defenseman Mary-Christine Vignola started 15 games, scoring a goal and adding an assist while picking up 28 groundballs. Junior Attacker Sarah Collins started a game and added a groundball for the Pacers.

The team will also feature two talented freshman, who will see valuable playing time. Defenseman Ilze Spilde attended Governor Mifflin High School (PA), where she was named to the all county team her junior and senior year. Attacker Kelly Kryspin was named Rookie of the Year at Morris Catholic High School (NJ).

The Pacers are also excited about their new home, the state of the art turf field. “The turf field is great, we no longer have to deal with practicing in the mud and turf is definitely better than grass,” said Naro. The team will have to wait until their eighth game of the season  for their home opener. The Pacers will travel to Virginia during spring break to start off their season. The Pacers will play Randolph College in Lynchburg, Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar and cap off the trip in Bridgewater, where they will play Bridgewater College. The team then travels to Elmira College (NY) and then its off to Neumann University for their first conference game. The Pacers then travel to King‘s College before visiting conference foe Cedar Crest College. The Pacers finally return home to play Keuka College in their home opener on March 21.