Lady Cavs get off to good start in title defense ·

by Nicholas Burch assistant news editor

Three years ago the women's lacrosse team never imagined they would become playoff hopefuls.

With a dominating win over American University on Saturday, March 13, head coach Jackie Neary moved her team one step closer to a National Collegiate Athletic Association spot come playoff time.

"I was very pleased with the win and their effort," Neary said of the 19-7 drumming of Ameri~an.

According to Neary, depending on how the season goes they are very hopeful to receive a possible NCAA bid, but they have one goal to focus on right now.

"Our initial goal is to prove ourselves and win the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference title," Neary said.

The chances of winning the PAC are very good, due to the number of experienced players on Neary's team.

Only one player is not reMning to the team this year and expectations for success are quite high.

According to Neary, the senior players have something to prove.

''They are just itching to be noticed," Neary said.

The recognition may come through a tougher schedule this year that includes Ursinus, Rowan and Trinity of Connecticut.

"In order to have postseason play, it is time to step up," Neary said.

The addition of the aforementioned teams were scheduled on purpose, according to Neary, to allow the lacrosse team to achieve some recognition for the postseason.

The fact that last season the team was undefeated means nothing, because they did not receive a bid for postseason play.

The reason was that they did not have a strong schedule.

This year they are playing nationally ranked teams and are ready to face stronger opposition from the likes of Villa Julie, a powerful team located in Maryland.

Neary credits her returning players for sticking· with the program and states that they now may have an opportunity for the postseason.

Key players returning are Amanda Seeds, Jessi Valerio, Lesley Kerrigan and Katie Walker.

''They were the first group to start, and as graduating seniors I hope to have them get some post season play," Neary said.

In the PAC, as always, Eastern is a rival along with Cedar Crest, Neumann and Wesley College.

The good news is that the PAC is growing and the stronger the league the better, according to Neary.

In order to ensure success, Neary needs big seasons from junior Merrie Lewis, sophomore Christy Malone and first-year student Adrienne Maiocco.

"Lewis is a tremendous defender and Malone is a very strong goalie," Neary said A major improvement for the team is the fact that this is the first year that they will have a junior varsity that will get playing time.

According to Neary, this will allow for full-field practice and added experience for theN.

Last year, there was only one game for the N. This year they have five games on their