Recapping the Successful Sophomore Season of the Women's Lax Team
Patchogue, N. Y. - The St. Joseph's women's lacrosse finished year two of their existence back in the playoffs for the second season in a row, losing to eventual Skyline Conference champion and NCAA Tournament participant-Montclair State. The difference this year was that the Golden Eagles also won their first-ever playoff game, beating Ramapo by an 18-5 score. The team improved to an 12-6 record this year, after adding in a few more highly ranked teams to their schedule.
The respected Lax Power website ranked the Eagles as the #13 team out of 241 schools as far as improvement from 2012.
Improvements were made both on both ends of the field. Playing the backer defense for the second year in a row, the Lady Eagles tightened up their defense even more this season. Defensively they were ranked #31 out of 241 teams in the nation in Division III, compared to a 2012 ranking of 49.
Team captain Nicole Lyman spearheaded the defense with her stellar play and was recognized with her second All-Skyline Conference first team selection. Lyman was #11 in the country for caused turnovers by an individual, and the St. Joseph's team defense ranked #16.
In goal, Erin O'Connor improved from #71 to #31 in goals against average this year, giving up a stingy an 8.72 goals per game. The stellar play of defensive starters Gabby Bourguignon, Amanda D'Onofrio and Megan Lapham provided a consistently strong effort in every game for the Lady Eagles. Newcomers Kristin Minogue and Nicole Danisi added a spark with their incredible quickness and veterans Amanda Baron, Jenna Pearsall and Kayla Saraniero provided athleticism and depth.
On the offensive end, the Lady Eagles also showed significant improvement, expanding their arsenal, with seven different players scoring 17 or more goals. Grad student Jackie Myers ranked #31 in the country with 38 assists. Last year, St. Joseph's did not have a player ranked in the top 300. Freshman Heather Ferchland was the #5 ranked freshman in the country for goals scored with 62. Currently, the Golden Eagles return six of their top seven scorers in 2014. As a team, SJC ranked 44th (up from 129th in 2012) in total points with 359.
The team scored 240 goals this year in 18 games, compared to 184 last year - an increase of 56 goals. They added 119 assists this year, compared to just 58 in 2012. More people scoring goals and more people assisting on goals shows not only an improvement in talent, but also the unselfish nature of the team and their ability and desire to share the ball. SJC's top upperclassmen contributors were Caitlynn Webber (27 G, 18 A), Jackie Myers (25 G, 38 A), Karalyn Tetelman (17 G, 12 A), Grace Ann Fallon (9 G, 2 A), Cait Halloran (8 G, 5 A), and Erin Sullivan (6 G, 2 A). Freshmen Heather Ferchland (62 G, 7 A), Danielle Dittmeier (24 G, 2 A), Jessica Cordano (21 G, 7 A), and Lisa Olen (19 G, 10 A), and first-year player Gina Guardino (8 G, 7 A) all added firepower to the returning veterans.
Laura Graziose on attack (3 G) and Tiffany Willms on both attack and defense got their feet wet and come back with valuable experience. Ali Paves played just one game after getting injured and is rehabbing to help strengthen the defense. Backup goalie Colleen Fitzsimmons played in six games, and may be converted to crease defense to take full advantage of her quick footwork gained as a basketball player.
Freshman Heather Ferchland also garnered All-Skyline first team honors as she became the second player in the program's short history to earn such recognition. Joining her was junior midfielder Karalyn Tetelman, earning second team honors.
In addition Coach Bob Vlahakis was the Co-Coach of the Year, and the team also walked off with the Skyline Conference Sportsmanship Award. This award had been given to the last place teams for five years in a row, not a playoff contender.
At the spring athletic awards ceremony, Coach Vlahakis announced this year's award winners. The 2013 Offensive MVP was Jackie Myers, the Defensive MVP was Kristine Minogue and the Golden Eagle Award winner was Cait Webber. Their names will now be etched in St. Joseph's lacrosse history. Erin O'Connor and Nicole Lyman both received recognition in 2012, so they were ineligible to be selected again.
Montclair State, Kean and Ramapo - three playoff teams - will be leaving the Skyline Conference to participate in the NJAC. Men's and women's lacrosse have been the only sports in which that trio participated in the conference.
All but two players are slated to return for the Golden Eagles, and they will be joined by another stellar recruiting class in 2014.