Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/27/10
From Press Releases
Senior midfielder Lauren Sparks (West Chester East) is one of three women named as co-captains for the University of Connecticut women’s lacrosse team for 2010.
The others are seniors Katie Devaney (Black River, N.Y.) and Ashley Mitchelides (Hudson, Ohio).
Sparks returns for her second stint as a team captain, serving from the sidelines last season while taking a medical redshirt. The team will depend upon Devaney and Mitchelides not only provide leadership off the field as captains this season, but also on attack. Sparks, who started in 11 games as a sophomore, has seemingly reinserted herself in the midfield and will continue to provide invaluable leadership throughout the season.
“We are thrilled to announce Ashley Mitchelides, Katie Devaney and Lauren Sparks as our team captains for the 2010 season,” said UConn coach Angela McMahon. “All three women bring passion, hard work and leadership everyday both on and off the field,” McMahon said. “I have complete faith that these three will do a phenomenal job representing the University, the local community and our lacrosse program.”
UConn concluded the 2009 season with a 3-13 record and looks to improve upon its experiences a year ago. In addition, the Huskies will work to increase their presence in the BIG EAST after a pair of conference victories over Cincinnati and Louisville at Sherman last season.
“During the 2010 preseason, our goal is to compete and get better every minute we are together on the field,” McMahon said. “The girls have been working extremely hard in strength and conditioning and in practice to achieve that goal. We will have a great test against our alumni, as our current players are eager to avenge the one goal loss from last year. We still have a ways to go until we are ready for our first game, but we are certainly optimistic with what we’ve been able to accomplish in the past week.”
