Where there's a will, there's a way, and for the inaugural
season of Rollins women's lacrosse their desire, determination and
strength of character will be their ultimate weapon. Goals,
statistics, and win/loss percentage will still be on the record,
but the ultimate objective for the Tars this year is improvement
with a focus on having fun.
Officially announced back in March of 2007, and slated for
official NCAA play less than a year later, the Rollins College
women's lacrosse program will be the start of a new era in the
state of Florida. The first NCAA institution to offer both women's
and men's lacrosse in the state, Rollins is sure to become a
Sunshine State leader in the years to come.
This season brings forth a handful of outstanding athletes who
have stepped forward and accepted the challenge of helping to build
a program from the ground up. With 12 players on the field at a
time, and only 15 on the squad, this season will see plenty of game
time and experience for each team member.
The ladies have proven that they are hungry enough to want a
successful season and have exerted the effort throughout the off
season and preseason to prove to the lacrosse community that they
will not be a team to be passed up.
Head Coach Dennis Short will look to all players and positions
to make an impact both on and off the game field. Offensive players
Liz Connelly, Morgan Harries, and Annie Harris will be utilized
around the arc to put pressure on the opposing defense. As the
season develops, Short will look to this group of ladies to develop
their attacking confidence, resiliency, and increase the ball
movement around the arc as they improve their cuts, feeds, and
shots.
Midfielders with plenty of stamina and speed will be the key to the
Tars' success, ensuring smooth transitions and slowing down the
ball as it moves into the Rollins defensive end. Courtney
Bianculli, Annie Decker, Lacy Goodwyn, Katie Hubbell, and Katy
Tyszko will be expected to use their speed, agility, and game sense
to keep the Tars out of risky situations, and will be looked at to
make smart offensive moves.
The defense will be a crucial component for the Tars as they are
the last stop before the ball reaches the goalie, and for Ariel
Krieger, Heather Law, Kate Pray, Sarah Rosenblit, Liz Scully, and
Colby Tappen, the name of the game will be communication. Short
will expect these ladies to be vocal and smart in the defensive
end, using patience, intensity, and dexterity to keep the attackers
out of the eight meter.
By far the most important position on the field will be covered
by Lisa Weber in goal. Weber has accepted the challenge of stepping
into the cage this year, and has worked extremely hard to prepare
herself for collegiate level game play. Coach Short is confident in
her capabilities not only as a player, but a leader as well.
Short has high expectations for his girls this season when it
comes to effort, desire, and fortitude. With plenty of grit and
hard work, the inaugural Rollins College women's lacrosse program
will make improvements in leaps and bounds. Though they are a small
squad, their persistence and athleticism will surely be a strong
factor throughout the season.
