The Triangle

Issue date: 2/13/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Triangle File Photo

If any coach in college lacrosse was told her team would be taking the field in 2009 with eight new starters, there would be a slight amount of panic in the locker room, and that is being modest.

Coach Anne Marie Vesco of the Drexel women's lacrosse team looks at it a bit differently.

"We have a good group of freshman that are very athletic and talented," Vesco said. "It should make for an exciting season."

The women's lacrosse team will be without its top three scorers from the 2008 season, including Jessica Bill, who was the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2008.

The team also lost CAA All-Rookie Defender Sam Berger to injury when she tore her ACL during training.

Overall, the Dragons had a winning season in 2008, turning in a record of 10-7. The team's record in conference play (2-5 Colonial Athletic Association) does not indicate how well the team played against its rivals, considering it lost three games by a single goal.

In addition to the many new faces that will be seen on the field, Vesco added a pair of new assistant coaches to help with the development of the young team.

Assistant oach Noel Powell plans on implementing a more varied attack for the offense this season.

Vesco feels that Sarah Carter, the defensive assistant coach, will help the players play a more high-pressure system that can force turnovers and lead to fast break opportunities.

"Our high-risk, high-reward system will allow the girls to be aggressive on the field," Vesco said.

This year the Dragons will be led by team captain, Josie Haller, and veterans like midfielders Katie Lawson and Kimberly Kabernacle. The upperclassmen are going to play a big role in how the younger players adapt to the game at the collegiate level.

Kabernacle says the team goes into every season wanting to win the national championship and the CAA, but she says the team also has some smaller goals for the upcoming season.

"The team needs to focus on being consistent throughout the season. It is important for [the team] to improve every game," Kabernacle said.

Kabernacle's fellow midfielder, Lawson, is looking forward to getting the season underway.

"This year we have a very new team. I am excited to see how the new girls fill in all the spots left open by the graduating seniors," Lawson said.

Continued...

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