For Women’s Lacrosse In 2010, It’s All About Rising Above Expectations

CHICOPEE, Mass. - In 2010, the central focus for the Elms College women’s lacrosse team is clear: rise above the expectations.

“I am trying to have the players get out of their comfort zone,” eighth-year head coach Katie Grabiec said. “I want them to go above and beyond not only everyone else’s expectations, but their own expectations.”

The 2010 edition of the women’s lacrosse team features five seniors, two juniors, eight sophomores and three freshmen.

“We will be looking to our upperclassmen for leadership,” Grabiec noted. “Ashley Ziemba was a captain last year and is a four-year player. She is a strong presence on the field for us both vocally and the way she plays.” The Chicopee, Mass. native will share tri-captain honors with classmate Melissa Pava (Springfield, Mass.) and sophomore Emily McInerney (Glastonbury, Conn.).

“We have a good mix of experience on this team, and I think our mindset heading into the season is better because of it,” Grabiec explained. “Last year, we had one senior for the players to look up to, this year we have five, plus a more experienced group of returners. That should really help us as the season progresses.”

Here is a look at how the 2010 squad breaks down:

ATTACKERS

The attacking corps will be anchored by Pava, junior Jennifer Lough (Feeding Hills, Mass.) and Ziemba. Ziemba will be making the move from point on defense, to the attacking position where she can resume her leadership skills.

Lough, who was twice named to the weekly New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Honor Roll, led the Blazers with 22 goals in 2009. Lough and Pava will also see some action in the midfield this season.

“We don’t have that one ‘go-to’ player, we have several players that could fill that role,” Grabiec stated. “It will allow us to change things up and it will provide for some good competition within our own team as to who will fill that role on any given day.”

Sophomores Katylyn Harrington (East Longmeadow, Mass.), Chelsey Grabowski (South Hadley, Mass.), Kim Jodoin (Pittsfield, Mass.), Michelle Stewart (Glastonbury, Conn.) and freshman Catherine Duquette (Naples, Maine) round out the unit. Harrington netted 12 goals last season and led the team in draw-controls with 32.

MIDFIELDERS

Elms returns just two players to the midfield: sophomores Sarah Picard (West Springfield, Mass.) and Brittaney Picard (West Springfield, Mass.). The Picard twins will anchor the Blazers’ un-tested, yet skilled group.

They are joined by junior Ashley Tucker (Holyoke, Mass.), sophomore Marcia Norat (Brockton, Mass.) and freshman Jaclyn Medeiros (Brant Rock, Mass.).

DEFENDERS

The defensive group is an experienced unit featuring tri-captain McInerney, seniors Jessica Shea (South Hadley, Mass.) and Toni Martin (New Haven, Conn.), and freshman Catherine Leonard (Chicopee, Mass.). Norat will also see action at defense.

“Emily is in her second season as a starting defender and will be the leader of that group,” Grabiec explained. “She is a very positive and vocal leader.”

GOALKEEPER

Senior Krystyna Gagne (Methuen, Mass.) will mind the net for Elms this season, her first as a lacrosse player. Gagne, however, was a four-year member of the Blazers’ women’s soccer program and will provide leadership skills thanks to four years of collegiate athletic experience.

SCHEDULE

The Blazers’ 2010 schedule features 15 games, eight of which will be played at the friendly confines of Leary Field in Chicopee, Mass.

Elms opens its slate with four of its five games in March at home, including the season opener against Green Mountain College on March 14. The Blazers’ three other home games in March are against non-conference opponent Mount Ida (March 20), and NEWLA foes Castleton State College (March 27) and Fitchburg State College (March 30).

Three of Elms’ four home games in April will be against non-league opponents Thomas College (April 3), Pine Manor College (April 14) and St. Joseph (Conn.) on April 20. The Blazers’ lone NEWLA matchup at Leary Field will be against Bridgewater State College on April 17.

Elms travels to Becker College (April 24), Framingham State College (April 27) and Westfield State College (April 30) to complete the conference portion of its schedule.

WRAP UP

In order for the women’s lacrosse team to rise above the expectations that others have set, and that the players have set for themselves, the squad will need to perform as a team in the truest sense of the word.

“Each player is striving to be better than they were a year ago,” Grabiec said. “Players came into this season more fit than in previous years and with a more positive attitude. They clearly want to be more effective and efficient in what they do on and off the field, and that will help them meet and exceed the expectations for this season.”