By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/28/09
Phillylacrosse.com presents its rundown of Philly women on teams in the current IWLCA Division III Top 20 poll.
1. Hamilton – Sophomore midfielder Becca Green (Lower Merion) had three goals and 10 groundballs in 10 games last year for the national champion Continentals and should be a key reserve this year.
2. Franklin & Marshall – The Diplomats, who fell to Hamilton in the title game last year after winning it in 2007, have a dominant grup of players from Philadelphia. They feature pre-season Tewaaraton Watch List pick Jen Pritchard (Penncrest). Pritchard tallied 71 goals last year and is joined by seniors Shannon Summers (Hill School) and Ashley Bevington (Hill School) and sophomore Meredith Lussier (Radnor) in a potent offense.
Summers, a third-team All-American at midfield, collected 35 goals and 49 assists. Bevington, also a third-team All-American at midfield, had 34 goals. Lussier, an attacker, notched 46 goals in a brilliant freshman campaign. Senior Sarah Nyman (Great Valley) anchors the defense. Freshmen include defender Casey Downie (Hill School) and midfielder Rebecca Foley (Penn Charter).
3. Salisbury – Sophomore goalie Julie Ann Caulfield (Upper Darby) is the backup and has played in all three games this year.
4. College of New Jersey – Senior defender Breanne Scullin (Council Rock South) is a returning starter for the Lions, who won the national crown in 2005 and 2006.
5. Middlebury – Junior defender Carrie Sparkes (Radnor) is a returning starter who scooped 24 groundballs last year. Her sister, senior Katie Sparkes (Radnor), had two goals and four assists in eight games.
6. Gettysburg – Sophomore goalie Laura McIntyre (Coatesville) had four starts in nine appearances last year. Freshman defender Lexi Kelly (Agnes Irwin) is vying for time.
7. Union – Junior defender Lizzy Moran (Unionville, Westminster School, CT) is a key reserve.
8. Washington & Lee – Senior attacker Kelsi Robinson (Westtown School) was a third-team All-American last year, amassing 25 goals and 29 assists. Sophomore attacker Kate Speare (Strath Haven) had a goal and three assists last year and freshman defender Emily Ackerman (Conestoga) is vying for time.
9. Colby College – none.
10. Amherst – Freshman midfielder Courtney Zitin (Conestoga) is a reserve.
11. Babson – none.
12. Cortland – none.
13. Catholic – The defending Landmark Conference champion Cardinals are loaded with Philly grads. Sophomore attacker Katie Buonpastore (Lansdale Catholic) had 15 goals and 24 assists in a standout freshman year while sophomore midfielder Becky Borrell (Mount St. Joseph) had 13 goals and junior midfielder Kate Narzikul (Merion Mercy) had 11 goals and 12 assists. Sophomore defender Meghan Paul (Gwynedd Mercy Academy) started half the games last year while sophomore midfielder Sara Cumming (Nazareth Academy) was a reserve. Also on the roster is sophomore defender Sarah Fitzgerald (Jenkintown).
14. Trinity (CT) – Freshman Avery Harries (Hill School) is competing for the starting job.
15. Dickinson – The Red Devils are also dominated by Philly products. Junior attacker Lexie Kob (Spring-Ford) had 35 goals and 20 assists last year while sophomore midfielder Kelsey Muir (Notre Dame) enjoyed a brilliant freshman year with 32 goals. Sophomore goalie Jessie Clark (Conestoga) was 9-4 as a freshman and returns as the starter while junior defender Amanda West (North Penn) is a key starter who led the team with 20 caused turnovers. Incoming freshmen include defenders Kristie McCabe (Downingtown East) and Julie Platt (Springside School).
16. William Smith – none.
17. Tufts – Freshman Maggie Casey (Radnor) is a reserve midfielder.
18. St, Mary’s (MD) – Sophomore midfielder Hannah Cooley (Abington) is starting and leads the team in draw controls (six) through two games.
19. Rowan – Senior attacker Lauren Crennan (Owen J. Roberts) led the team with 54 goals last year. Senior goalie Alicia Mannino (Conwell-Egan) played every minute last year, collecting 190 saves while posting a 13-5 record and 10.50 goals against average.
20. Bowdoin – Sophomore defender Megan McFarland (Episcopal Academy) is a reserve.
Leave a Reply