Feb. 20, 2008

Erie, Pa. - With ten returning starters and 17 returning letter winners, Mercyhurst head coach Cecil Pilson has plenty of reason to be excited about the 2008 season. Following a 7-5 campaign in 2007, the second winning season in three years for the program, the Lakers could be on the verge of something big. Pilson also brought in 10 newcomers to fill any gaps that may have been left.

"We have a talented team this season," Pilson said. "After two years of rebuilding, I think this is the year that we can become one of the elite teams in Division II."

The Attack
A year ago, the Mercyhurst offense revolved around Breanna Haggerty (Skaneateles, N.Y./Skaneateles). In just two seasons, she already ranks among the career scoring leaders at Mercyhurst and was an Inside Lacrosse Second Team All-American as a sophomore. She posted 42 goals and 16 assists and had at least two goals in 11 of the team's 12 games. Haggerty enters the 2008 season with a 24-game goal scoring streak, but the Lakers may not need to rely on her to carry the bulk of the scoring load this year. Senior captain Courtney Olevnik (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster) directed the attack last season and tied for fifth on the team in offensive production. With another year of experience under her belt, she will become more of a weapon. Kate Smith (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Hebron) ranked third on the team in goals last year as a freshman and is expected to increase her offensive production as a distributor and goal-scorer in her sophomore season. Junior Katy Miller (Painted Post, N.Y./Corning Painted Post West) is another returner on the front-line and will be asked to provide offensive production.

The Laker offense will be bolstered by newcomers Ashley Dulaney (Finksburg, Md./Mercy) and Jackie McCarthy (Reading, Mass./Reading Memorial). Dulaney led Mercy High School in every offensive category last year, playing in the nationally-recognized IAAM Conference. McCarthy led Reading Memorial in goals and points and both freshmen are expected to see plenty of time on the field for the Lakers' line attack.

The Midfield
The Lakers will look to junior Jessie Horeth (Webster, N.Y./Webster Schroeder) to take the draws and lead a youthful midfield. Horeth was third on the team in offensive production last season should continue in her role as an offensive distributer, raising the bar for midfield offensive production. Junior Kristen Toomey (East Rochester, N.Y./East Rochester) led the midfield in goals and points last year as a sophomore and was second on the team in offensive production. She will also take draws and will engineer the Mercyhurst transition game. Junior Alicia Guzzo (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) is a returning defensive midfielder and junior Page Christensen (Hollywood, Md./Leonardtown) looks to get back on the field after missing the 2007 season. Sophomore Meghan Dwyer (Skaneateles, N.Y./Skaneateles) provides offensive production and defensive stamina as a fourth midfielder. Celeste Shefferly (Caledonia, Mich./Catholic Central) will also be looked at to provide additional offensive production and defensive talent from the midfield.

Pilson added three freshmen midfielders to provide much-needed depth at the position. Kim Masterton (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) was a two-time US Lacrosse High School All-American and team Most Valuable Player. Maria Rosettie (Corning, N.Y./Corning Painted Post East) was also named a US Lacrosse High School All-American at Corning Painted Post East. Liz Tice (East Rochester, N.Y./East Rochester) comes to Mercyhurst after leading her team in goals and points and being named team Most Valuable Player. All three promising midfielders will be looked at to step into the top two midfield lines and provide immediate offensive production and solid defense.

The Defense
Senior assistant captain Holly Brown (Carthage, N.Y./Carthage HS, Herkimer CC) will be the backbone to the defensive unit. She was fourth on the team in groundballs a season ago and will direct a new defensive strategy in 2008. Junior Beth O'Neil (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill Central) led the team in every defensive category and is critical around the crease. Junior Elizabeth Wagner (Rush, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta) has moved from midfield to play line defender for the Lakers this season. Junior transfer Kristen Lindner (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas, Buffalo State College), sophomore Kira Ceppaglia (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster), and freshman Allison Hapeman (Rochester, N.Y./Irondequoit) will give the team depth on defense.

Between the Pipes
Sophomores Maeve McGoff (Terrace Park, Ohio/Mariemont) and Jessica Raniero (Lake View, N.Y./Frontier) split time between the pipes a year ago and each will see time again this year. Raniero had a .438 save percentage and a 13.02 goals against average in 290 minutes, while McGoff compiled a .521 save percentage and 8.97 goals against averaged in 387 minutes.

Schedule
In their final season as an independent before joining the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) for 2009, Mercyhurst has just five home games. The Lakers open the season with its annual spring break trip. The team will open against Lees-McRae in Charlotte, N.C. before heading to Orlando, Fla. to play both Rollins and Notre Dame (Ohio). The middle of March will show exactly what this team is capable of as the Lakers will play at defending national champion C.W. Post on March 14 before playing preseason No. 4 Adelphi two days later. The team will finally get the chance to showcase their talents at Tullio Field March 22 when the Lakers host preseason No. 9 Queens (N.C.), followed by Indiana (Pa.) March 27. In mid-April, Mercyhurst will host three consecutive games, playing St. Andrews, Shippensburg, and Bloomsburg. The Lakers close out the regular season by playing at Slippery Rock and then finishing at crosstown rival, preseason No. 8 Gannon.

"We worked extremely hard in the fall to get every student-athlete on the team playing time to better prepare for the rigors of spring lacrosse," Pilson said. "For our team to be successful, it will require a team effort and strong leadership from our captains."