Quinnipiac women’s lacrosse head coach Danie Caro has announced that seniors Devon Gibney (Hopkinton, Mass.) and Marissa Caroleo (North Babylon, N.Y.) will serve as captains for the 2011-12 season. Caroleo, the reigning 2011 Northeast Conference Player of the Year, and Gibney, the 2011 NEC Tournament MVP, will lead the Bobcats following the team’s first-ever NEC Tournament Championship season in 2011.
"I am quite pleased to announce that Marissa Caroleo and Devon Gibney will serve as captains for the 2011-12 year," head coach Danie Caro said. "They are both excellent role models for their teammates, are committed to the betterment of the women's lacrosse program, and have embraced the high standards set by those that have served before them. I have no doubt they will do a great job this year."
Caroleo returns as one of the top-scoring threats in the NEC, as she led the league in goals (53), points (63) and points per game (2.94). Her goal total set a new program-high for single season goals, while she finished with the second-most single-season points in program history. On three separate occasions throughout the season, Caroleo scored a career-high six goals in a game, helping her to eclipse the 100 career-point mark. This feat was coincidentally accomplished during one of those six-goal performances, on April 17 against Long Island.
The North Babylon native had a fiery internal engine and a keen nose for the ball, finishing second on the team in draw controls (39), third in ground balls (37) and tied for third in caused turnovers (22).
"Marissa is more than just a successful lacrosse player," Caro said. "She is one of the most mentally tough players I have ever coached and she has innate understanding of the importance of 'the little things' that make a good team great. She is someone her teammates believe in, and I think she has the capacity to make her teammates better."
Gibney had another outstanding season for Quinnipiac, garnering All-NEC First-Team honors with Caroleo, compiling career-highs in points (53), assists (15), draw controls (47) and caused turnovers (23). Those same numbers had her ranked first on the team in draw controls, second on the team in goals and caused turnovers, third in points, and fourth in assists. Gibney was the first of the two captains to surpass the 100 career-point mark during the 2011 season, when she did so on April 1 against Sacred Heart during a two-assist performance.
"Devon is one of the best players we've had in the program, and she works extremely hard every day in practice, and her teammates respect that." Caro explained. "She is a fierce competitor who hates to lose, but more importantly, she has the ability to push everyone else to a higher level."
During the NEC Championship weekend, Gibney elevated her game to another level, scoring two goals and three assists during Quinnipiac’s 18-9 Semifinals victory over Sacred Heart, before pouring on six goals and one assist in the Championship game against Mount St. Mary’s. For her outstanding efforts, Gibney was honored as Quinnipiac’s first-ever NEC Tournament MVP.
"I think we are very fortunate to have a strong group of veteran players returning this year, including five seniors, and five juniors. Every single one of them is a great leader by example, and my staff trusts that they will set the tone for the program as we prepare to defend our conference title," Caro said. "Everyone is really excited about the possibilities for the upcoming season, and they are all ready to work to achieve their goals. We couldn't ask for anything more from them."
The Bobcats prepare for the 2012 season with several fall contests, including a visit to Fairfield on Sunday, Oct. 16 when they play Fairfield, Sacred Heart and Central Connecticut, with competition beginning at 11:30 a.m. Quinnipiac plays again on Saturday, Oct. 22 when they host Sacred Heart at 1:30 p.m. and Holy Cross at 4 p.m. Quinnipiac hosts Manhattan and CW Post in its final fall competition on Saturday, Oct. 29, with game-time set for 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
For more information about the women’s lacrosse team, please visit the Official Website of Quinnipiac Athletics, www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com.
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