Falcons Conditioned For NEWLA Playoff Berth
The Fitchburg State women's lacrosse team enters its 2009 campaign experienced and focused as it drives towards a New England Women's Lacrosse Association (NEWLA) Tournament berth in just its second season at the NCAA level. Under second year head coach, Rick Terrio, the Falcons will rely on its veteran leadership and team endurance as they look to crack the Top 4 in the NEWLA Conference.
With 12 returning letter-winners, seven freshmen and one transfer, Fitchburg State possesses the solid combination of veteran experience and talented youth to make the 2009 season successful. "Last season, we broke down towards the end of the year," said head coach Rick Terrio. "This year, we have the right leadership and determination to condition ourselves and get us to that next level."
ATTACK
Sophomore Kaitlyn Kelley (Pepperell, Mass./North Middlesex) and junior Emily Swan (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) return this season as Fitchburg State's top goal scorers from the 2008 campaign and look to continue their offensive momentum in the 2009 stretch. Last season, Swan ranked first on the team in points scored with 45 (22 goals, 23 assists), while Kelley posted a team-best 25 scores and ten helpers.
Newcomers Amanda Burns (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth), Kelly Finamore (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) and Jill Shaner (Arlington, Mass./Arlington) will look to make an immediate impact offensively in their rookie seasons, while veterans Danielle Pelletier (Merrimack, N.H./Merrimack, Tessa Leahy (Cohasset, Mass./Cohasset) and Carly Campbell (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield) will provide added depth up front.
MIDFIELD
In the midfield, junior Tori D'Amato (Hampden, Mass./Merrimack) and sophomore Connie Perry (Reading, Mass./Reading Memorial) will spark the Falcons on both sides of the field as the two have proven to be versatile players both offensively and defensively. Last season, D'Amato and Perry both ranked among the top five scorers for the Falcons, combining for 33 points on 19 goals and 14 assists. D'Amato saw action in 12 games, totaling eight goals and 12 helpers, while Perry registered 11 scores and two assists in 11 games played.
Freshman Carissa Kennedy (Somerset, Mass./Bishop Stang) has also proven to be a stellar athlete in her rookie campaign and will add depth to the Falcons midfield, while classmates Amanda Burns and Jill Shaner provide excellent speed and agility at the position.
DEFENSE
The Falcons inherit a solid defensive line as junior Julie Davenport (North Brookfield, Mass./North Brookfield), senior Gia Santaniello (Longmeadow, Mass./Longmeadow), and classmate Elise Gallagher (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford) return as the starting defensive unit. Davenport ranked second on the team last season with 34 groundballs, while Santaniello added 14 pickups and three caused turnovers.
Sophomore Torey Van Ahnen (Seekonk, Mass./Seekonk) will look to provide the Falcons with solid depth on the defensive line, after posting seven ground balls and one caused turnover in 13 games last season. Newcomer Kaylee Bergeron (Acushnet, Mass./New Bedford) is also expected to make an immediate impact as she brings speed and versatility to the Falcons defense.
GOALKEEPING
In net, Fitchburg State will turn to senior transfer Jen Astrella (Auburn, Mass./Auburn) to fill the vacant goalkeeper's role. Astrella, a transfer student from UMass Amherst, has had a very successful off-season, earning the starting job in just her very first season at the position. Classmate Katie Raymond (Malden, Mass./Malden) will serve as the primary back-up for Astrella has she has shown great improvement from last season. Raymond offers the Falcons some experience between the pipes as she saw action in two games last season, recording two saves in 22 minutes of work.
SCHEDULE
Fitchburg State kicks off its 15 game schedule with two competitive matches in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Falcons will open the 2009 campaign vs. Ohio Wesleyan (3/9) before closing out their southern trip with a battle vs. Emerson College (3/10). Back up north, Fitchburg State will host four straight home games (Southern Maine, St. Joseph's, Worcester State, and Castleton) before facing its first road contest vs. Nichols (4/2). The last three games of the season appears to be the toughest stretch for the Falcons, as it travels to Becker, Framingham State and Thomas within the final week.
