NCAA Women's Lacrosse 2012 Preview

No. 12 GEORGETOWN

After Syracuse’s slip last season, the Hoyas are poised for a Big East run. Solid from top to bottom, Georgetown’s weakness comes at the goalie position. Last season, the Hoyas finished the season averaging just 4.76 saves per game, good for the worst in the conference. Despite this, the Hoyas posted a 6-1 record in Big East play in the regular season.
The Hoyas return three of their top four scorers and The Big East Midfielder of the Year from 2011, Sophia Thomas. Thomas stands alone in her abilities to score collect groundballs (42) and cause turnover (33). This one of a kind player is all over the field with her speed and can do it all.
Although five starters leave to graduation, the Hoyas offensive attack is balanced and does not rely on one player to carry all of the weight. Kelsi Bozel and Dina Jackson both contributed 20 plus goals last season and will continue to produce against tough opponents.

Best Bet

Sophia Thomas creates problems for the opposition on every level. If she’s not causing turnovers, she’s heading down the other way on a fast break. It’s scary to think that she is only halfway through her career and already this skilled. A dangerous weapon for the Hoyas, Thomas will become crucial for conference success.

Sleeper Pick

Erin Lovett may not be a traditional sleeper, however her absence from play after her season ending injury warrants the tag. After a fast start in the first two games of 2011, it will be interesting to see if Lovett is the explosive same player in 2012.

Game to Watch

April 14, 2012 Georgetown vs. Syracuse
Inquiring minds want to know if the Hoyas are conference top dog challengers. When Syracuse takes on the Hoyas, both could undefeated and vying for the title. This matchup will be circled on both team’s calendars and whichever comes out on top will likely make the tournament.

Women's Lacrosse Picked Eighth in BIG EAST Preseason Poll

The Villanova women's lacrosse team has been selected eighth in the 2012 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference office has announced.
Senior midfield Justine Donodeo is a preseason All-BIG EAST selection after being selected to the All-BIG EAST second team in 2011. Donodeo was the top scorer for the Wildcats last season with 39 goals and 12 assists.
Georgetown was picked as the favorite in the league with 60 points, while Syracuse finished in second by a slim margin with 59 points. Loyola was third with 51 points and Notre Dame was picked fourth with 44 points. Rutgers (34), Connecticut (27) and Louisiville (26) were picked fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively. Villanova received 12 points for eighth and Cincinnati was picked ninth with 11 points.
The new era of Villanova women's lacrosse under first year head coach Julie Young will begin on Feb. 18 as the Wildcats travel to Wagner for a 1:00 p.m. start.

NCAA Women's Lacrosse 2012 Preview

No. 11 LOYOLA

After a 17-3 season, running the table at the Big East Tournament and making its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2004, the Greyhounds were a surprise team last season. Entering her fourth season as head coach, Jen Adams looks to continue the progress.
Big East teams must prepare to face a tenacious trio. Primer senior defenders Ana Heneberry, Kellye Gallagher and goalkeeper Kerry Stoothoff all return for a swan song. Gallagher caused 43 while gobbling up 59 groundballs, leading the Grey Hounds in both categories. The backbone of the defense intact, wins against Loyola won’t come easily.
The Grey Hounds relentless defense forces opponents into bad decisions which, last season, catapulted Loyola to victories and always kept them in the game. All three of its losses were by three goals or less. The tight defense resulted in a squad ranked first nationally in caused turnovers per game with an average of 11.75.

Best Bet

Senior Ana Heneberry led a crushing defense that devastated offenses in the Big East and across the country. It comes as no surprise that Heneberry was named the 2012 Big East Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and will again be a key to Loyola’s success.

Sleeper Pick

After a quick start as a freshman, Ashley Moulton’s stats dropped off slightly in her second season. Flying under the radar, look for Moulton to join in on the causing turnover party with her teammates. A rebound in 2012 would only make the team’s already stellar defensive stats that much better.

Game to Watch

Friday, April 27, 2012 Loyola at Syracuse 7 p.m.
Last season, Syracuse knocked off Loyola on the road only to be bested by the hounds a week later in the Big East Tournament. Both matches were single goal affairs with the opposition making a late push. This year, the drama will go down in the Dome in a night game.

Preseason Top 20

Preseason Top 20
1. Northwestern Wildcats

2. Maryland Terrapins

3. Florida Gators
4. North Carolina Tar Heels

5. Duke Blue Devils

6. Penn Quakers
7. Princeton Tigers
8. Virginia Cavaliers
9. Dartmouth Big Green
10. Boston College Eagles
11. Loyola Greyhounds

12. Georgetown Hoyas

13. Harvard Crimson
14. Syracuse Orange
15. Albany Great Danes
16. Ohio State Buckeyes
17. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
18. James Madison Dukes
19. Stanford Cardinal
20. Johns Hopkins Blue Jays