BRISTOL, R.I. - The Roger Williams University Women's Lacrosse Team is anxious for the season to begin as they continue with their pre-season practices. The team lost three valuable players to graduation, but returns with many to continue their success. The Hawks begin their season with six seniors, and a strong mix of juniors, sophomores, and freshman.
The Hawks enter the season expected to finish second in The Commonwealth Coast Conference behind two-time defending conference champion Endicott College, who was chosen first in the TCCC in the pre-season polls. Despite falling to Endicott in the TCCC Championship Game for the second straight year, RWU finished its 2009 season with one of the best seasons in the program's short history, winning a school-record 15 games on the year. This season, the Hawks look to get their first TCCC title.
The Hawks boast a very skilled senior class, led by co-captains Jessie Alden (Cataumet, Mass.), Kasey Beckwith (Franklin, Conn.), and Amanda Magee (Columbus, N.J.). Alden appeared in 19 games last season playing a valuable role in the midfield and defensive positions. Beckwith earned All-TCCC Honorable Mention in 2009 and started in all 19 games, scoring 50 goals and creating many offensive chances with 24 assists. Magee, who was also co-captain for the 2009 season, was named to the All-TCCC first Team. She finished the season was a .594 save percentage, which placed her second in Division III among all goalkeepers. Classmate Natasha Billie (Pt. Pleasant, N.J.) appeared in 12 games during the season scoring ten goals, while fellow senior Lauren Cooper (Danbury, Conn.) played in 15 games and was a valuable part to the Hawks defense, picking up 11 ground balls and scoring two goals. Reserve goalie Annie Alvord (Yorktown, N.Y.) appeared in three games last year, providing depth in net.
Returning for their third year as Hawks are five members of the junior class. Claire Halliday (Trenton, N.J.) , a 2009 All-TCCC Honorable Mention player, saw action in 18 games, and led the Hawks in scoring with 51 goals. Classmate Kate Malenzcak (Sayville, N.Y.) played in 18 games and was a valuable member of the offense, scoring 33 goals in the 2009 season. Lauren Ferri (Northport, N.Y.) played in all 19 games on the season and led the team with 43 draw controls. She finished the season with 32 assists and 17 goals. Nicole Papasergiou (Sea Cliff, N.Y.) earned All-TCCC Second Team honors and was an important member of the defensive line, causing 12 turnovers and picking up 35 ground balls. Rounding out the junior class is Erica Palmer (Branford, Conn.), who started in all 19 games as a defender, causing 26 turnovers and picking up 26 ground balls.
Danica Delia (Norwalk, Conn.), Britany Sweet (Hamden, Conn.), and Sarah Tozier (Falmouth, Maine) make up the junior class for RWU. Delia played in all 19 games in the 2009 season, scoring 14 goals with nine assists. Classmate Sweet played in three games and scored one goal. Tozier also played in three games and scored two goals in the 2009 season.
There are four newcomers to the team ready to start their collegiate careers as freshman. The class consists of Jen Perry (Marblehead, Mass.), Justine Sullivan (Norwell, Mass.), Jolyn Wiggin (Newton, Mass.), and Dana Wilfahrt (Hamilton, Mass.).
Leading the Hawks in her first season as Head Coach is Abi Jackson, who comes to RWU by way of Plymouth State College. In her first season, she led Plymouth State to a 14-5 record, and captured the 2007 ECAC New England Championship. In addition to coaching the Hawks, Jackson also served as the head coach for the Prague Cup Women's Lacrosse team, which competed against European teams this past June.
Jackson looks to start a successful season for the Hawks. “I am most excited about the talented and experienced players, to go along with some first year players who have excellent potential. I am really looking forward to watching the players develop a more disciplined approach to midfield play, which we have already seen happening on the field. Additionally, we are looking to use a more team-oriented approach for a more settled defense and offense, and the players have taken to that very well so far.”
The Hawks look to get things started with their first TCCC game, March 3rd against Nichols College. Over spring break, the Hawks will be playing Eastern Connecticut State University on March 20th, and will host New England College March 24th for their first home game.
