TicketsFeb. 8, 2011
By Dave Malaska
GoBEARCATS.com
Four years into their existence, the Bearcats lacrosse team seems poised to make the next step in 2011. With a corps of talented veterans, supplemented by a freshman class poised to make an immediate contribution, head coach Lellie Swords is confident that Cincinnati is about to enjoy its best season yet.
"We're finally four classes in, and have more depth than we've ever had," said Swords. "We're still young, but hopefully we have enough experience that we can make that turn, get those overtime wins that we lost last year, and take that next step towards challenging in the BIG EAST."
Coming off last season's 5-12 mark, and an 0-8 record in conference play, it may seem overly optimistic -- until you look at the talent that will take the field for UC this season.
The Bearcats nine of its top-10 top scorers, led by junior Laura Simanski, whose 51-point performance last season (46 goals, five assists), was tops on the team for the second consecutive season. An attacker both of those seasons, she makes the move to midfield this year on her request, opening scoring opportunities for younger teammates.
Sure to take advantage of that opportunity are sophomore attackers Katie Kiriazoglou and Katie Liberatore, who combined for a total of 77 points last season. Kiriazoglou was UC's second-leading scorer with 20 goals and 27 assists, while Liberatore chipped in 16 goals and 15 assists.
"They really work well together, and we'll be looking to them to lead our offense this year," Swords said.
UC's attack will also benefit from the return of a fully healthy Kylie Ramsland. The junior played in only three games last season, still returning from her injury-plagued freshman campaign. Now at 100 percent, Sword expects Ramsland to produce.
Simanski, on the other hand, will join an already talented midfield corps led by senior staples Natalie Starvaggi, coming off a 16-goal performance in 2010, and Lynsey Burton, who will be looking to score UC's first goal of the season for the third straight year.
"Lynsey and Natalie do such a great job leading the midfield and making a difference on both sides of the ball, I fully expect they'll continue to do that again," said Swords.
The Bearcats also expect midfield contributions from Rachel Mercier, who notched 11 goals and a pair of assists in limited playing time last season as a sophomore after switching from the defense.
On defense, much will rest on the young shoulders of freshman goalkeeper Jen Walsh. A member of UC's 10-member signing class for this season, she excelled during the fall. The New York native has already proven herself as a burgeoning talent, leading her prep team to the National Lacrosse Tournament division title in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Fortunately, the Bearcat defense will also have junior Gwen Branscome in the lineup. The Maryland native moved to defense from midfield last season, picking up 13 ground balls last season while forcing nine turnovers. UC's defense will also get a boost from the return of Paige Stratton, who like Ramsland, is finally back to full strength after suffering an injury as a freshman two seasons ago, and the move of MacKenzie Parsons from attack to defense.
Sword also expects the freshman class to contribute on both sides of the ball.
The schedule, which opens Sunday at Jacksonville University, is a tough one yet again. UC plays five NCAA qualifiers on their 16-game slate. Non-conference opponents include Oregon (7-11 in 2010), along with NCAA participants Vanderbilt (12-6) and Stanford (15-6) before facing another tough BIG EAST schedule that features Georgetown (13-5) and Syracuse (13-6) -- both NCAA qualifiers last year -- on the road. UC will close out the season on May 1 against Notre Dame (11-6), another NCAA team.
"We schedule tough," said Swords. "The BIG EAST is so tough, you have to prepare to play in-conference. It's a balancing act. You have to play the Oregons and Stanfords to be ready for Georgetown, Syracuse and the Notre Dames."