2006 season preview

March 9, 2006

NORTON, MA- Head coach Mary Jacobs is now in a position she had hoped to be since graduating from Trinity College as a four-year field hockey and women's lacrosse player in 2002, as Jacobs has taken over the reigns of the Wheaton College women's lacrosse program. Serving three years as the school's field hockey and women's lacrosse assistant, Jacobs brings a certain familiarity to the program and a desire to take the team to the next level.

Understanding there's no need to recreate the wheel, as Wheaton has enjoyed its fair share of success over the last six years, including five straight postseason appearances, three New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) regular season championships and a pair of league tournament titles. The Lyons reached the NCAA Tournament national quarterfinal round in 2004 and had won 17 straight conference games prior to their setback to Springfield College during last year's NEWMAC Tournament title game. Wheaton finished the season at 11-6 overall and 6-0 in conference play.

"My main objective coming into this season was to change the team's mentality," said Jacobs. "Coming off of last season's loss was the right place to start. The team came back in the fall more focused and determined than ever before in my time here. I want them to be positive, to want to be a part of this program and to win for all the right reasons." Jacobs cited putting an emphasis on concentrating on the team's strengths and praising positive play.

Jacobs, who is assisted by former Wheaton players Peri West and Andrea Davis, puts forward a 20-player roster comprised of six seniors, three juniors, five sophomores and six freshmen that she believes has gelled together with great team chemistry. Losing the program's top two leading scorers in consecutive seasons, the Lyons realize they don't need to have that one standout player in order to be successful. Everyone knows they have a role and a responsibility in 2006.

"Everyone needs to contribute and take personal responsibility on the field," added Jacobs. "Whether it's a team win or team loss, nobody should look to someone else to be held accountable. This is a well-rounded group that has worked extremely hard during the off-season and one that is very excited to get started this spring."

Wheaton's journey under the new regime begins with a five-game road swing from March 13-27, as the Lyons play their first three contests of the season, including against nationally-ranked Ursinus College, in Wellington, Florida, and then open their NEWMAC schedule on the road at Smith College on March 26. The home slate begins against eighth-ranked foe Bowdoin College on March 29 and its non-conference schedule culminates with a road game at sixth-ranked Amherst College on April 19. The Lyons also face 15th-ranked Wesleyan University at home on April 13.

Playing a solid non-conference schedule with an expanded NCAA Tournament field that has increased to 24 teams from the standard 19-team format may help the team's chances for an at-large bid, but Jacobs is placing all the importance on the NEWMAC. "Our ultimate goal is to focus on conference play," stated Jacobs. "Non-league wins are crucial as we saw last year but to control our destiny we need to win our conference."

Leading Wheaton this spring will be its six-member senior class, half of which will start on the defensive side of the field. Three-year starter Mary-Kate Boddy (Yarmouth, ME/Yarmouth) will captain the Lyon squad. Classmates Molly Cronin (Brownsville, VT/Woodstock Union) and Kate Weston (Bedford, MA/Bedford) and junior Kim Corbin (Branford, CT/Branford) complete the backfield core. Cronin, also a three-year starter who finished second on the team with 32 caused turnovers as a junior, and Corbin were selected to the NEWMAC All-Conference team last spring.

Competition for the starting spot in net is between juniors Mary Catherine Boll (Columbus, IN/Miss Porter's School) and Kristin Konig (Montecito, CA/Cate School). The tandem, which has combined to play just 36 minutes in two collegiate games, has already been given a vote of confidence by Jacobs. "We are counting on our goalies to be mentally prepared and to come up big in big games," said the first-year coach.

A pair of sophomores and freshmen make up the Wheaton midfield, led by returners Sara Dimick (Cumberland, ME/Greely) and Alexa Jurczak (Davidsonville, MD/Miss Porter's School). Dimick totaled 19 points in 16 starts, while Jurczak tallied 21 goals and 25 points. First-year players Abbie Sherwin (Rye, NH/Portsmouth) and Madeline Williams (Annapolis, MD/Key School) round out the group.

Jacobs' line of attack consists of senior captain Julia Coit (South Portland, ME/South Portland), senior Caitlin Tierney (Wellesley, MA/The Rivers School) and sophomore Meredith Hurd (Bath, ME/Hyde School). Hurd compiled the second-most goals and points on the team with 34 and 35, respectively, last year while Coit, who bounced back from an early-season injury, finished with 32 points in 13 games. Tierney added seven points in 16 games.

"We're going to be harder to defend this year," added Jacobs. "We have a slew of attackers and it's going to be difficult to mark just one player. The outcome is never going to be on one person's shoulders, as we are a diverse group that is expected to remain focused and be fast moving. Each of our players has to be comfortable as an individual if they're to be successful as a team."

Sophomore Simone Safyer (New Rochelle, NY/The Masters School) is expected to make an immediate impact on attack after returning from injury. Freshmen Caitlin Grant (Walpole, MA/Walpole) and Bridget Thornton (Southington, CT/Cheshire Academy) should see significant minutes in the midfield, while sophomore Kara Ganssle (Shelton, CT/Saint Joseph) should be a strong contributor defensively.

Senior midfielder Rose Jackson (Indianapolis, IN/North Central) and freshmen attackers Lindsey Stephenson (Portland, ME/Deering) and Amanda Wagner (Mill Valley, CA/Tamalpais) will look to contribute after coming off injuries.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 1/31/07.
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Caitlin Grant becomes fourth Academic All-American in Wheaton history (more)

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Seniors Grant and Thornton selected to NEWMAC All-Conference teams (more)

Upcoming Schedule

23-Mar Tue Bowdoin A 7:00pm
27-Mar Sat Mount Holyoke A 12:00pm
1-Apr Thu Bridgewater State A 4:00pm