2008 Women's Lacrosse Season Preview
Wins
and losses are not always the best indicator of
a team's success and the win-loss record for the
Pacific women's lacrosse program in 2007 far from
told the Boxers' story.
After going 1-12 in their first year as a varsity program, the barometer for success was in the team's pace and style of play, which became much more competitive as the season came to a close. So far in 2008, third year Head Coach Wynne Lobel sees that competitiveness and commitment increasing even more.
"They have progressed unbelievably well," said Lobel, who was named the Division III West Region Women's Lacrosse Coach of the Year. "I think we are exceeding expectations. Is it bold to say that before our first game? Yes, but when I look at who I get to work with, what their work ethic is and what their attitude is at practice, this is an unbelievable situation."
A total of 12 players return for the second season of Pacific lacrosse. Lobel said all of them have benefited from an off-season of reflection about what they want from the game and the direction they want the team to go in.
"There is more of a competitive spirit about this team," Lobel said. "You will see a difference this year in our level of play. Our returners have thought quite a bit about how they want to express themselves on the lacrosse field."
Lobel also added five newcomers to the core of returners, four of which come to the program with experience in lacrosse at the high school level. While the five will be making the adjustment to the rigors of the college game, she expects all five to make an immediate impact on the squad.
In addition, the Boxers will benefit from playing a schedule heavy with home matches. The Boxers will play nine of their 13 matches at the new Lincoln Park Stadium, which includes the Boxers' first true taste of the east coast style of the game.
The goal for the Boxers will be to continue to improve, build a sense of ownership in the team and spread the word about college lacrosse in the Portland area. But make no mistake about it; they also want to win more. Lobel is certain her charges are fully capable of it.
"There are some games in here that are going to be challenging and we need to show up for every game," Lobel said. If we do show up for every game and we do learn from our experiences and we operate from the right place, then I absolutely believe we can do some great things."
THE
PLAYERS
The return of 12 players means that Pacific will
have the benefit of experienced players at nearly
every position. Valerie Nelson (Jr., Coeur D'Alene,
Idaho) is the team's only returning goalkeeper.
Nelson played in 12 of the team's 15 matches last
year, finishing with a 14.86 goals against average
and 126 saves.
"Valerie is one of the people who has benefited from reflection time," Lobel said. "She is psyched to play and contribute and do her best. I have seen some good consistency from her this year."
Dana LaMonica (Jr., Silverdale, Wash.), Marissa Utterberg (Jr., Portland, Ore.) and Sarah Hourston (Jr., Hood River, Ore.) all return in the defense after having started the majority of games in 2007. Utterberg was among the top defensive statistical leaders last year, finishing with 21 ground balls and eight caused turnovers. Hourston will serve as a double threat for the Boxers as an attacking defender.
Christine
Nishida (So., Kailua, Hawaii) will convert fully
to defender after splitting time between defense
and goalkeeper in her freshman season. Alison
Wan (Jr., San Jose, Calif.) will see significant
time after missing most of the 2007 season with
injuries.
Molly Bailey (Fr., St. Helens, Ore.) joins the defense as the only one of the five newcomers without high school playing experience. That won't hurt Bailey, according to Lobel, who brings speed and athletic ability to the program. "She's probably our fastest player," Lobel said. "She's brand new, but she's unafraid and she makes it happen when she's on the field."
A pair of Hawaii products, Lilia Lee (So., Waimanalo, Hawaii) and Mimi Takamune (So., Mililani, Hawaii), will anchor the midfield and return the bulk of the Boxers' offense. A team captain, Lee made quite an impact in her first year playing the game, scoring 11 goals. She led the team with 33 ground balls and was second for the Boxers with 21 draw controls and 12 caused turnovers.
Lobel said Lee's aggressive play and attitude will make her a bigger impact player in 2008. "She's a great leader on and off the field," Lobel said. "She loves to compete and we are lucky to have her."
Takamune played a quieter style of game, but proved to be just a potent with a hard to defend shot. Takamune finished with 10 goals and will once again be an offensive threat. "Mimi has come back this year ready to go," Lobel said.
Erin Bayne (Jr., Everett, Wash.) proved to be one of the team's top defending midfielders, picking up 11 ground balls in 13 matches and will be a consistent presence on the field.
Stephanie Manning (Fr., Hillsboro, Ore.), Natalie Getchell (Fr., Beaverton, Ore.) and Lori Hanken (Fr., Oregon City, Ore.) all bring a great measure of high school experience to the midfield. Hanken was a key contributor in Oregon City's run to the 2007 state high school championship game. A low defender in high school, Hanken will transition to other positions for her first college season.
Getchell garnered honorable mention all-state distinction as a defensive wing and defender. Manning, meanwhile, spent four years as a midfielder and defender. US Lacrosse selected her in 2007 as a national all-academic performer.
At attack, the Boxers will rely on three players who put together solid first seasons in 2007. Shanlyn Souza (Jr., Koloa, Hawaii) started 11 matches up front, finishing the year with five goals and a team-leading four assists. One of two team captains, Souza will be a leader on and off the field. "She brings our attack together and we look forward to her contributions," Lobel said.
Abby Coleman (So., Beaverton, Ore.) also picked up five goals in her freshman season. She also made strong contributions defensively, picking up 10 ground balls and a pair of caused turnovers. Alana Kansaku-Sarimento (So., Hilo, Hawaii) will also see time at midfield after making appearances in nine matches.
Johannah Wong (Fr., Oregon City, Ore.) enters her first year in the program after a standout year at Oregon City High School while earning US Lacrosse national all-academic honors in 2007.
THE SCHEDULE
After playing only four matches at home in 2007,
the Boxers will play nine of their 13 matches
at Lincoln Park Stadium in 2008. In addition to
hosting regional rivals Linfield and Puget Sound,
the Boxers will host four foes that they met on
the road last year: Fontbonne, Dallas, Oberlin
and Redlands.
In addition, the Boxers will host a number of east coast teams that will give both the team and fans a look at the quality and style found in the hot bed of lacrosse. Pacific hosts Kenyon in their first home match on Mar. 11. Over spring break, the Boxers host a pair of New York based teams in Potsdam and Oswego State.
Lobel knows that she has stacked the Boxers with a schedule full of tough matches, but she believes the competition will help not only Pacific, but the general growth of college lacrosse on the west coast.
"We have a great schedule," Lobel said. "The competition is going to help us and it will help lacrosse in the Northwest. "The fact that we can host those teams here and work with the other Northwest teams can help us improve and evolve."