PSU Women's Lacrosse Preview

The smell of spring is in the air with the past couple of days being warmer; ah, it must be lacrosse season (though for both the men's and women's lacrosse teams, they are unable to practice outside due to the snow that still exist).

Plymouth State's women's lacrosse team looks to improve on last season's record (which consisted of a 7-8 overall record 2-4 in Little East Conference play, and ultimately ended in a heart-breaking 13-12 loss to Western Connecticut State University), with the core of the team back, as well as numerous first year players.

While watching one of the team's practices earlier this year, it became instantly obvious to me that this team is greatly improved from last year's squad. "Of course our goal is to win the L.E.C," stated junior captain Caitlin Swanson (Holderness, N.H.). "We have a much deeper bench this year compared to last year," added Swanson.

This team has a deeper bench due in large part to having 11 first-year players that are just starting their lacrosse careers at Plymouth. "We are relying on all of the freshman this year," said junior captain Kristen Guest (Sandwich, Mass.). The midfielder said that players like Meghan McNabb (Lexington, Mass.), Molly Scaife (Easthampton, Mass.) and Molly Gleason (Haverhill, Mass.) were just a few of the key players that the Panthers picked up this year. Guest also said that, despite these players being younger, "They have a lot of talent, and they also have a lot of confidence for the upcoming year and adapted to our program extremely well." Having the energy that these players will provide for the Panthers will be big, and the fact that these players have collectively come together with the upperclassmen bodes well for the team this year.

One position on the field that the Panthers will have a great deal of confidence in is goalie Lorin Field (Hollis, N.H.). In her first year as the starting goalie for Plymouth, Field started all 15 games and had over 130 saves on the season (and a 52% save percentage). Field looks to improve on these numbers, as another year of starting between the pipes will hopefully translate in to more saves (and importantly wins) this year. The sophomore was also named a captain for this year's team, but the pressure doesn't appear to be rattling her confidence at all. "I have always enjoyed playing under pressure," Field said. In order for the Panthers to have a successful season this year, they need Field to play exceptional between the pipes.

The Panthers, whose season started this past Wednesday, do not have their first Little East Conference game until April 7, and will not have their first legitimate home game until April 17. Between then and now, Plymouth will have over half a dozen non-league games, including a trip down to Dallas during Spring Break to play Pacific (from Oregon) and Dallas. Captain Nora Regan is looking forward to the trip saying that she and the team "are excited, and are looking forward to see what coach (Kristin Blanchette) has in store for us throughout the week." The team traveled to Oregon last spring, and Coach Blanchette had many activities for the team that allowed the group to come together. The trip is something that the lacrosse team (players and coaches alike) looks forward to, and it should be yet another great experience for the team.

"Keep and eye on us" was what Caitlin Swanson echoed as a final comment. This team looks at the men's hockey team as being one of Plymouth's best sports team this year and wants to follow in their tracks. The Panthers are going to be a team that is going to surprise a lot of team both in and out of conference this year, and they look to win at least a Little East Conference title this year.