Women’s Lacrosse Excited for New Experiences in 2008

HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 27, 2008) – Coming off of a season in which it notched an overall record of 12-8 and earned the program’s first-ever postseason victory in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Metro-South Championship, the Stevens Institute of Technology women’s lacrosse team is prepared for its first season in the Empire 8 conference with a roster that features 27 players – the largest in program history. The Ducks also return the Top-7 scorers from last year.

Attack
At the attack position, Stevens brings back the 2007 Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year in sophomore Alyssa Pigott (Jobstown, N.J.). In her freshman year, Pigott led the Ducks in scoring with 75 points off of 53 goals and 22 assists. She also had a team-high 70 draw controls. Consequently, Pigott set a school record for draw controls per game (3.50), which ranked her 29th in the nation in that category.

Additionally, she was selected as a member of the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association All-Boardwalk Region first-team as well as the All-ECAC first-team. Furthermore, Pigott garnered WomensLacrosse.com Division III All-Rookie Team honors.

Senior Liz Mather (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) will look to build on the success that she had in the 2007 season. In addition to being tabbed as a first-team All-Skyline selection, Mather set a Stevens single-season record for assists with 39. She was also ranked No. 21 amongst all Division III players in assists per game with 2.05. As a result, Mather earned All-ECAC first-team accolades.

Sophomore Katie Lalli (Princeton Junction, N.J.), who received All-Skyline second-team merit last year, looks to piece together a repeat performance from her freshman campaign, where she was slotted second on the team in goals (43) and third in points (54). She also led the team in free-position attempts with six.

Junior Dana Perriello (Pittsburgh, Pa.) intends to be a significant contributor in 2008 after serving as the Ducks’ third-leading scorer in 2007 with 45 points on 31 goals and 14 assists. She also tallied three goals on five shots in the ECAC semifinal game against Cabrini College.

In the mix for a starting job as well are junior Katie Sanders (Vernon, N.Y.) and sophomore Laura Farrell (Huntingtown, Md.). As for the newcomers, freshmen Pamela Loria (New Providence, N.J.) and Maggie O’Hara (Camillus, N.Y.) will both play at attack and midfield. Michelle Buonacuore (Medford, N.J.) and Leah Wasserman (Monmouth Beach, N.J.), who both hail from Top-10 New Jersey lacrosse powerhouses, will also be competing for playing time.

Midfield
Heading into her second year as a team captain, senior Kaitlyn Roes (Stillwater, N.J.) will anchor the Ducks’ midfield this season. Referred to as an “unsung hero” by Head Coach Celine Cunningham (Cherry Hill, N.J.), Roes is a reliable player who will play a lot of minutes and is hard to take off the field. In 2007, she tallied 10 goals and dished out 14 assists in 20 games.

Sophomores Kara Borzillo (Mount Laurel, N.J.) and Fionuala Quinn (Succasunna, N.J.) should see plenty of playing time after strong freshman campaigns. Freshmen Ana Trujillo (Marietta, Ga.), Christine Smith (East Northport, N.Y.), Kate Cox (Aston, Pa.) and Kristi Flanagan (Flemington, N.J.) will add much needed depth to an explosive midfield. Cox and Flanagan may also see action on defense.

Defense
On defense, Stevens will have a collection of veteran experience and young talent to lead a potent defense. With many options, Cunningham will be challenged to fit these women into four spots.

Junior co-captain Cassidy Callahan (Skaneateles, N.Y.) is the mainstay in the unit. Last season, she registered 21 goals and five assists for 26 points. For her hard work, Callahan received IWLCA Regional All-American accolades as well as a first-team All-Skyline award. Senior co-captain Rebecca DiLiberto (Maui, Hawaii) started every game in 2007 and “is a reliable defender who constantly improves,” stated Cunningham.

Senior Beth Rychcik (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) is expected to be another key player in transition, while sophomore Sam Zucker (Westfield, N.J.) will look to make an immediate impact on defense after missing her first season with an injury. Rounding out the returnees are junior Ali Palen (Walden, N.Y.) and sophomore Shannon McFadden (Baltimore, Md.), who will both contribute to an already stellar defensive unit.

Goal
In goal, the tandem of senior Stephanie Linder (Eatontown, N.J.) and Grace Sack (Cazenovia, N.Y.) should create some healthy competition.

Linder, who has been a three-year starter, came on strong towards the end of last season. She is currently the Stevens’ all-time women’s lacrosse leader in saves (443) and saves per game (8.20). Linder also set a season record in 2007 for total saves (164). As for Sack, she has been the most improved player in her two years with the Ducks. Seeing action in nine games last year, Sack accumulated an overall mark of 2-0. According to Cunningham, “Grace is a player with great composure that can excel as a starter or coming off the bench. She will be a great contributor for us.”

Overview
This season, the Ducks have one of their toughest schedules to date. They will open up with Empire 8 foe Utica College on March 1 at the De Baun Athletic Complex at 11 a.m. After a pair of non-conference match-ups, Stevens will travel to California to do battle with Redlands University and Virginia Wesleyan University. The Ducks will also take on St. John Fisher College, Nazareth College, Montclair State University, Drew University and The College of New Jersey – all NCAA Tournament teams in 2007.

“This is our largest senior class and we would like them to end their career the way it started and that is with a trip to the NCAA Tournament,” said Cunningham. “During their time here, they showed outstanding leadership and bought into our program as well as our philosophy.”