2009 Women's Lacrosse Outlook

Entering the 2009 season the Guilford College women's lacrosse team is coming off its most sucessful two-year run in program history. The Quakers set nearly every scoring record during the span and had 12 All-ODAC selections. Guilford’s up-tempo offense led the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) in 2008 with 14.00 goals per game, which helped the Quakers to a 5-3 conference record and their highest seed (4th) for the ODAC Tournament. Guilford lost six seniors to graduation, including three-time All-ODAC and two-time all-region Mary Hutchins ’08, who leaves as the Quakers all-time leader in points, assists and draw controls. Head coach Matthew Grosso and fourth-year assistant Susanna Young look to build upon last year’s success with nine returning letter winners. The Quakers are joined by 10 newcomers who give the team a strong blend of talent and depth. Here’s a preview of the 2009 Quakers by position:

Here’s a preview of the 2009 Quakers by position:

ATTACK: Guilford returns just one of four starting attackers from 2008. Junior Ellie Merritt had a strong second year with 13 goals and five assists.  She is joined by sophomore Hannah Merrell, who appeared in every game and contributed 13 points last season. Freshmen Julia Fraser and Summer Frazier both had strong fall seasons and may make an immediate contribution to the attack lines.

MIDFIELD: Guilford’s strength in 2009 lies in its midfield lines, which features scoring, athleticism, and experience. Junior captains Carrie Ernst and Shelly Nogueira, both 2008 honorable mention All-ODAC selections, return as the Quakers’ top midfielders. Ernst and Nogueira ranked among Guilford’s top five for goals, assists, ground balls, caused turnovers and draw controls in 2008. Freshman Reegan Carbone joins two Guilford soccer players, junior transfer Bree Vohs and Sarah Bradburd, to add to the Quakers’ midfield speed and depth.

DEFENSE: The Quakers defensive unit will be anchored by two-time all-league defender Jenn Abelin, who led the 2008 team in ground balls and caused turnovers, and is poised to break the career records in both categories.  Sophomores Kaitlin Feeney and Meaghan Dill, who appeared in 15 and 11 games, respectively, last season add experience to the defensive unit. Freshmen Kathryn Carella, Annie Motta, Camille Schardt and Jordan Sherman will contribute to the defense and play valuable minutes throughout the season.

GOALIE: Junior Alyzza-May Callahan returns as the Quakers’ starting goalie. She amassed a 9-4 record and posted a .509 save percentage in 2008. She is joined by sophomore Erin Hoerner, who gained valuable experience in nine games for Guilford in 2008. She started three times, and recorded 26 saves.

Guilford begins its spring competitions Feb. 7 in the Quakers' Lacrosse Challenge. Seven teams will participate in round-robin scrimmages, including Anne Arundel Community College, Greensboro College, Hartwick College and NCAA Division II members Belmont Abbey College, Pfeiffer University and Queens University of Charlotte. The Quakers open their season by hosting perennial power University of Mary Washington. Guilford once again plays a difficult non-conference schedule that includes matches against 2008 NCAA Tournament participants Catholic University and three-time defending USA-South Athletic Conference champion Christopher Newport, plus games with Denison University, Frostburg State University, Marymount University, the University of the South, and cross-town rival Greensboro.