Mountain Hawks wrap up successful fall season
11/4/2015 5:42:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women's lacrosse team recently wrapped up a successful fall season, which featured four different tournaments against tough competition. The Mountain Hawks lost significant pieces from the 2015 squad, especially on the defensive end, but return plenty of experienced players who are looking to fill those gaps.
"We had a productive fall," said head coach Jill Redfern. "The team worked hard and we had good competition against a variety of opponents. Our transition attack is looking strong and should be an exciting part of our game."
The Mountain Hawks return seven of their top eight scorers from last season, which includes junior co-captain Allison LaBeau who led the team with 48 points behind 34 goals and 14 assists. Senior co-captain Kendall Garden was third on the Mountain Hawks with 34 points (24 goals, 10 assists) while junior Lauren Beausoleil tallied 28 points (18 goals, 10 assists).
"It's been nice to return players with experience on the offensive end," said assistant coach Sammy Cermack. "Our upperclassmen came back from the summer prepared and ready to step into leadership roles. They've been doing an awesome job of playing fast and bringing along our younger players."
Key pieces are in place on the offensive end of the field, but the biggest question will be at defense. Lehigh looks to replace senior defenders Kelly Scott, Lauren Willcox and Michelle Abramczyk, who started alongside each other since their freshmen years.
"It's been difficult, but also exciting, to see younger players step into those roles," said Cermack. "We've had to move some midfielders back to defense to fill those gaps, but they're doing a good job of embracing it, especially junior Julianne (D'Orazio). She will be a key piece to our defensive unit this spring."
A challenge every fall is acclimating the freshmen, but the Mountain Hawks' class of nine has adjusted nicely.
"Our freshmen came in prepared for the transition from high school to college. They come to practice every day eager to compete, which has been challenging and motivating for our upperclassmen," said associate head coach Shannon McHugh.
The Mountain Hawks have made two straight Patriot League Tournaments and are looking to continue the success, and push the bar even higher in 2016. Last season, Lehigh played some of its best lacrosse against the best teams in the region, and nation, which includes defeating Rutgers of the Big Ten, topping eventual NCAA Tournament team Bryant and hanging tough against National Quarterfinalist Loyola with a 10-6 loss. The success of the 2015 season carried over into this fall.
"We learned that we play our best against our best competition," said Redfern. "It's nice to know that we have the talent and the toughness to compete at a top level."
The Mountain Hawks open the 2016 season on Saturday, Feb. 13 when they host defending National Quarterfinalist Penn State. Lehigh then hosts Yale, Mount St. Mary's and Iona before hitting the road for the first time on Mar. 12.
Like Lehigh Women's Lacrosse on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
"We had a productive fall," said head coach Jill Redfern. "The team worked hard and we had good competition against a variety of opponents. Our transition attack is looking strong and should be an exciting part of our game."
The Mountain Hawks return seven of their top eight scorers from last season, which includes junior co-captain Allison LaBeau who led the team with 48 points behind 34 goals and 14 assists. Senior co-captain Kendall Garden was third on the Mountain Hawks with 34 points (24 goals, 10 assists) while junior Lauren Beausoleil tallied 28 points (18 goals, 10 assists).
"It's been nice to return players with experience on the offensive end," said assistant coach Sammy Cermack. "Our upperclassmen came back from the summer prepared and ready to step into leadership roles. They've been doing an awesome job of playing fast and bringing along our younger players."
Key pieces are in place on the offensive end of the field, but the biggest question will be at defense. Lehigh looks to replace senior defenders Kelly Scott, Lauren Willcox and Michelle Abramczyk, who started alongside each other since their freshmen years.
"It's been difficult, but also exciting, to see younger players step into those roles," said Cermack. "We've had to move some midfielders back to defense to fill those gaps, but they're doing a good job of embracing it, especially junior Julianne (D'Orazio). She will be a key piece to our defensive unit this spring."
A challenge every fall is acclimating the freshmen, but the Mountain Hawks' class of nine has adjusted nicely.
"Our freshmen came in prepared for the transition from high school to college. They come to practice every day eager to compete, which has been challenging and motivating for our upperclassmen," said associate head coach Shannon McHugh.
The Mountain Hawks have made two straight Patriot League Tournaments and are looking to continue the success, and push the bar even higher in 2016. Last season, Lehigh played some of its best lacrosse against the best teams in the region, and nation, which includes defeating Rutgers of the Big Ten, topping eventual NCAA Tournament team Bryant and hanging tough against National Quarterfinalist Loyola with a 10-6 loss. The success of the 2015 season carried over into this fall.
"We learned that we play our best against our best competition," said Redfern. "It's nice to know that we have the talent and the toughness to compete at a top level."
The Mountain Hawks open the 2016 season on Saturday, Feb. 13 when they host defending National Quarterfinalist Penn State. Lehigh then hosts Yale, Mount St. Mary's and Iona before hitting the road for the first time on Mar. 12.
Like Lehigh Women's Lacrosse on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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