Head Coach Christine Paradis seems unfazed by the enormous change in her lineup. "We are a young, extremely talented team with depth in each position," said Paradis. Such is the common sentiment going around preseason training as the Jeffs gear up for this year's campaign. The class of 2008 will face the daunting task of replacing perhaps the most talented class in school history. Liz Martin '04 was the fifth-leading scorer in NCAA history, Allison Aldrich '04 was a Second-Team All-America pick, and Jackie Sargent '04 and Christine Ryan '04 both earned Second-Team All-NESCAC honors. Together, the five members of the class of 2004 helped lead the Jeffs to four consecutive NCAA Final Fours, two NCAA Championship games and a National Championship in 2003.
Despite the expectations of success placed upon the team's younger players, the overall atmosphere among players and coaches alike is one of excitement rather than anxiety. Paradis understands the acute differences between high school and collegiate lacrosse, but with time she believes that the large first-year class will become accustomed to playing at a faster, more complex level. "This preseason, many first-years and sophomores have been learning our systems of play and have gained valuable experience during our scrimmages," she said. Senior co-captain, and NESCAC-standout goaltender Liv D'Ambrosio echoed her coach's sentiments. "I have been hugely impressed with the skill level of the incoming freshmen, as well as with the development of this year's sophomores," she said.
Seniors Cate Smith and Kelly Leisman, along with junior Scotty Hanley, will lead a furious Amherst attack that racked up 274 goals last year. Smith and Hanley are the team's leading returning scorers with 13 goals apiece in 2004 and 12 and 11 assists, respectively. Leisman hopes to contribute after spending last year abroad. D'Ambrosio and fellow senior co-captain Jenna Swan-Gross will return to anchor the defense; D'Ambrosio posted an exceptional 8.55 goals-against average last year, while Swan-Gross grabbed 35 ground balls and caused 15 turnovers. Junior Laura Brown is the leading returning defender with 44 ground balls and 29 forced turnovers last season. Catie Parker '06 will head the midfield after notching nine goals, three assists, 22 ground balls and 16 draw controls during her sophomore campaign.
This season's sophomore class looks to make a huge impact in the form of attackers Dana Kuper, Alyssa Briody and Catherine Goold, midfielders Liz Wise, Lauren Dudley, Rachel Lewis and Caroline Shannon, and defenders Maggie Roth and Emery Sweeney, all of whom saw some on-field time last year.
The team posted an outstanding 16-3 record in 2004, going 8-1 in the NESCAC, and winning the Little Three Championship outright after defeating perennial rival Williams College in a thrilling match, 11-10. Despite losing to a strong Middlebury College team in the NESCAC final, the team earned an at-large bid to its sixth NCAA Tournament. For the fourth consecutive year, the Jeffs advanced to the NCAA Final Four, where they lost again to the Panthers, the eventual National Champions.
With such an impressive record of success there is little doubt that many conference rivals will be gunning for this year's team. "Much of the league anticipates that the losses from last year will be too much for us to overcome," said Paradis. No doubt the loss of many outstanding seniors will go to the heads of many NESCAC rivals. However, what may be mistaken as youthful immaturity is actually just inexperience, something that will be remedied quickly as the Jeffs gear up to take on conference rival Hamilton College in a week.
Despite their optimism and talent at the outset, the fate of the team will ultimately depend upon how well the players can come together before they start league play. "Many of the mistakes that are being made seem to be a matter of youthfulness-a few more weeks of practice, and I think everything will really come together," said D'Ambrosio.
The team's success will also depend the leadership the captains demonstrate, and the ability of the team's more veteran players to step up. "We are looking to our juniors and seniors to provide consistency and sound leadership at both ends of the field," said Paradis.
Paradis and D'Ambrosio are confident that the team will have enough time to gel as a unit before league play starts up in April. "We expect to maintain our top ranking in Div. III lacrosse," said Paradis. "I have no doubts in my team," added D'Ambrosio. "We are young, talented and ready to play."
The Jeffs will take on Hamilton in West Palm Beach, Fla., next Monday. Their first home tilt takes place on April 6 against NESCAC rival Trinity College.