WILKES-BARRE -- The 2008 King's College women's
lacrosse team will face a number of challenges this season due to the
loss of several veteran players as well as a coaching change.
Entering her first year as King's head coach is former Drew University
standout Laurie Anthony who possesses the knowledge and
organizational skills needed to steer the program in the proper
direction. Anthony, however, will face a
series of challenges in her own right as she attempts to piece together
a squad that lost seven players and includes 10 newcomers to the
program.
Perhaps the biggest challenge will be replacing the offensive output of
all-time leading scorer Lindsay Sabo who graduated with school records
of 305 points, 197 goals, 108 assists, and 286 ground balls.
Looking to soften the burden of Sabo's departure is senior midfielder
Grace King who makes a welcome return to the program after missing
the entire 2006 season studying abroad in Europe. As a sophomore, King
earned second-team All-Middle Atlantic Conference honors after scoring
58 points on 54 goals and four assists with 35 ground balls.
She will be joined in the midfield by steady senior Michelle O'Brien
who registered 27 points on 23 goals and four assists a year ago. Also
back in the midfield is senior standout Melissa Gates who tallied
22 goals last season. Rounding out a quality midfield group is sophomore
Reanna Lachner who enjoyed a fine rookie season in which she
scored 40 points on 31 goals and nine assists.
Also back in the defensive/midfield areas are senior Megan Farrell
and sophomores Shannon Ellis and Rachel Azar who will all
be counted on to take on greater roles this season. Junior Kari Leach
and sophomore Danielle Belfanti are both newcomers to the program
and will both look to contribute.
In goal, King's can bank on returning senior starter Heather Kelly
who made 138 saves in 839 minutes if action. Junior Chrissy
Keenan also returns after playing in four games.
A total of eight freshmen join the program and will be called upon to
make their presence felt immediately. Rookies manning the
attack/midfield positions will be Kira Shelley, Alicia Cox,
Candace Russ, Katelyn Schuman, and Danielle Terraciano.
Freshmen Allison Gourniak, Chelsea Spadt, and Teresa
Notaristefano will battle for defensive positions.
