Feb. 16, 2009

EASTON, Pa. - With a young team taking the field for Lafayette this season, senior co-captains Emily Archibald and Kristin Ruminski will be major contributors both on and off the field. Archibald and Ruminski, the only two seniors on the roster, will lead the team through a challenging schedule and provide consistency in the starting lineup. Their leadership will also play a key role in the development of the younger members of the squad.

First-year head coach Ali Fisher, a 2001 Lafayette graduate and four-year member of the lacrosse program, guides a team with 10 freshmen, the largest class on the roster. The freshmen are expected to make an immediate and significant impact on the season.

The squad also returns four of its top five goal-scorers from 2008, as well as several key defenders, giving the team many players with game experience. Combined with the younger members, the Leopards have a team with significant depth that will give Fisher options and flexibility with her lineup throughout the season.

Attack
Junior Maria Drehwing and Archibald combined for 48 goals last season and are expected to once again be the primary leaders on offense. Juniors Courtney Bryan, Sydney Peyser and Andrea Corpora are also all critical returning players. Sophomore Kelsey Harkness made 10 appearances as a freshman and is in the mix for added playing time this spring.

A key newcomer to the offense includes Lindsay Sullivan. Sullivan is expected to see significant game action after seeing playing time during the fall season. Fellow rookies Erin Steel and Haley Huffines add depth to the attack and Huffines may also see time in the midfield.

Midfield
Midfield is one of the strongest areas on the team as well as one of the deepest. Ruminski will anchor the midfield and has started all 49 games of her career. She finished last spring tied for third in the Patiot League in game-winning goals (2) and fourth in draw controls per game (3.12). Archibald will also rotate in the midfield.

Sophomores Lauren Brown and Michaela Corn both took the field their rookie seasons. Brown started 11 games and finished with 23 goals. Junior Julia Bateman returns for her third season after making 12 appearances her sophomore season, including four starts.

Freshmen Lisa O'Donnell, Meg Ohlmacher and Margaux LeBuffe should all see playing time, as well.

Defense
Junior Tara Mayo and sophomores Bree Belmonte and Tara Winter are the most experienced players returning on defense. Mayo made 13 starts last season while Belmonte started 15 of the 17 games in which she played. Winter saw playing time in 13 of Lafayette's 17 games, including five starts. Also back for her junior season is Lauren Harkins who saw time in the starting lineup in eight games as a sophomore.

The team will also see the return of Lauren Ingersoll who was injured all last spring and the entire fall season, as well.

Joining the mix this season is a group of two freshmen: Lauren Curley and Kim Harkins. The staff expects a big contribution from Curley who will also have an impact the transition game as she takes turns in the midfield. Harkins is expected to contribute playing time, as well.

The Leopards have three goalkeepers on the roster. Junior Emily Bjork started 16 games in the cage last season and averaged just under seven saves per game. Classmate Sofie Grossman made four appearances. Freshman Alexa Biale, who also plays field hockey for Lafayette, rounds out the trio and possesses the skills to push for significant playing time.

Schedule
As is routine for the program, Lafayette has a schedule that consists of challenging opponents that will test the young team. There are many quality non-conference opponents on the slate, including the season opener at Penn State on Feb. 18. Other key non-conference road games include Louisville on March 18 and Temple on Apr. 29.

The Leopards open their home season on Feb. 25 against Marist and continue the brief two-game homestand on March 1 against Columbia. The team begins Patriot League play on March 7 at Navy and hosts archrival Lehigh one week later. Other conference road games include Bucknell (March 21) and defending Patriot League champion Colgate (April 4). In addition to Lehigh, Lafayette hosts American (March 28) and Holy Cross (April 11).

The Patriot League Tournament takes place on April 24 and 26 after which the Leopards conclude the regular season on April 29 at Temple.