Women's Lacrosse

Women's Lacrosse 2011 Season Outlook

With twelve returning players and a talented group of new players, the Wilmington University women’s lacrosse team will look to build on their third place Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) finish in 2010. Combining speed and skill, the Wildcats look to make a run at their first conference championship this season. Head Coach Dave Bugda, back for his sixth season, hopes to get the best out of the 2011 team.

According to Coach Bugda, “I really do believe that if we combine our talent and speed, and if we mesh as quickly as I think we will, keeping the ‘team first’ concept, we could make a run this year. We have good skills, good speed and good size. It will be a case of putting it all together to make it work”.

The Wildcats bring back three All-Conference selections and will be led offensively by defending CACC Player of the Year Danielle Niccoli. Niccoli, a senior midfielder led the ‘Cats with 43 goals and 27 assists. In addition, senior midfielder Amber Harmon, junior midfielder Jess Graybeal (2nd team All-CACC; 27 goals and 16 assists), junior midfielder Rebecca Guethler (26 goals, 7 assists) and sophomore midfielder Liz Case (21 goals, 15 assists) will once again be called upon to lead the way. Sophomore midfielder/attacker, Molly Taylor will be back full time in 2011 after a few injuries limited her time in 2010.

Juniors Kory Webster (1st Team All-CACC; 18 goals and 10 assists) and Eliza Burk (22 goals, 11 assists) will be called upon for their talents & experience in leading the Wildcat defense. Other defenders the coaching staff will depend upon are senior Amanda Davis, junior Carly DeVirgilio, and sophomores Brooke Eveler and Brittany Rhodes.

Key additions for the 2011 Wildcats are sophomore center/midfielder, Meggan Apgar (Wesley University/St. Thomas More HS/Smyrna, DE) and freshmen midfield/defenders, Jessica Stratton (Delmarva Christian HS/Magnolia, DE) and Chelsie Maher (Elkton HS/Elkton, MD). All three will all be called upon to make an immediate impact on this year’s squad.

Freshmen goalies, Corinne Dries (Smyrna HS/Bear, DE) and Leigh Anne Satcher (Mt. Pleasant HS/Wilmington, DE), will compete for the starting job to see who replaces second-team All-CACC Goalie Amber Smith.

Additional new players to the Wildcats will be junior midfielder Angelica Appold (C. Milton Wright HS/Bel Air, MD), and freshmen, Monica Weil (Bangor HS/Bangor, PA), Rachel Burley (Perry Hall HS/Kingsville, MD) and Sarah Lindler (Mercy HS/Towson, MD).

“There are many capable scorers in our attack and midfield. Add in our defenders who are very comfortable in the offensive third, and it could be a pretty exciting season. It will be fun to see what we put together.”

The Wildcats open their 2011 campaign at home against Shepherd University on Saturday, March 5.