Feb. 18, 2008

Saint Joseph's opens its season today against Lehigh: game-time is set for 4:00 p.m. The Hawks finished 7-9 last season overall, 2-6 in the Atlantic 10. The seven wins were the most since 2004 when the Hawks finished 8-6.

SJU women's lacrosse head coach Denise Roessler returns her seven top scorers and one of the best goalkeepers in school history to the 2008 squad.

The offense will be the least of Roessler's concerns with four players returning that had 33 or more points in 2007. Leading the way is sophomore Jenna Martino, who was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team last spring. She led the team in goals with 31 and added six assists for a team-high 37 points.

Joining Martino on the offensive front are seniors Christina Colangelo and Lindsey-Kate McCool as well as junior Jessica Westlake. Westlake and Colangelo tallied 27 and 26 goales apiece, while McCool's all-around scoring effort saw her put up 18 goals and 15 assists.

McCool currently ranks amongst the all-time best in SJU women's lacrosse history. She is third in assists (44), seventh in ground balls (117), eighth in goals (61), and ninth in points (105).

McCool has also played and started in every game for the Crimson and Gray (47). She isn't the only Hawk to achieve that feat as Colangelo has done the same. Provided they both play in every game this season, they will surpass Megan O'Donnell and Jen Fletcher, who graduated last spring, on the all-time games played list (61).

The Hawk offense is also aided by Ashley Brennan, Abby Renninger and Colleen Ingelsby, which combined for 23 goals and 16 assists.

Junior Suzy Herlihy, who in her first year on Hawk Hill, compiled an impressive stat line. The Delaware transfer's 152 saves in 2007 were sixth-best in a season, while her goals against average (GAA) was third-best at 8.69. Currently, her GAA ranks her atop the all-time list.

In front of Herlihy, a younger corps of defenders will step up to fill the shoes of the departed seniors. Juniors Jontell Lyons and Meghan Cullinan are the veterans in the back to shore up the Hawk defense. Helping Lyons and Cullinan from the midfield will be senior Courtney McManama.

Other veterans who look to provide valuable experience and leadership on the field will be juniors Kelly Heuther, Becca Collins, and Helene Tursi as well as sophomores Casey Lieb and Rae Wojnar. Sophomore Kaitlin LaBarbera will serve as the Hawks' backup goalkeeper this season, as well.

SJU will be bolstered by a new crop of freshmen, 10 altogether, which will help the back line and give depth to the offense. Jenna Ambrosini, Christine Readinger, Kelley Pendergast, and Maddie Lynch are the defensive stoppers, while Kristen Reynolds, Alison Reynolds and Gracia Barr will help the midfield. Alexis Arons, Ashley Scherer and Francesca Volpe will backup the veteran crew on the attack.

After Lehigh, the Hawks will travel to Easton, Pa. to take on the Lafayette College Leopards on February 23.