FREDONIA, N.Y. — The Fredonia State women's lacrosse team enters the 2011 season with an offensive mindset after an explosive 2010 season.
The Blue Devils were 9-8 overall and 3-5 in the SUNYAC in 2010, yet they set a program record for most goals scored in a single season with 217. Individually, Amy Simon set a single-season record with 66 goals and 74 points. She was selected First Team All-SUNYAC, Second Team IWLA all-region and ECAC Second Team.
It was the second straight season Simon was named All SUNYAC. She was a Second Team choice as a freshman.
In addition to Simon, two other top scorers return: Maddison Frink with 52 last season, and Laura Culhane with 45.
“Laura will be a key person in running the offensive attack this year,” Case said. Culhane broke her own single-season assists record last season with 25.
Morgan McNamara also will contribute on the offensive end. Case praised McNamara's quick first step, which will be pivotal for her to be more of an attacker this year. Rachael Reinis will be a factor in the midfield after coming off an injury in 2010. “Rachel is eager to back on to the field for us,” Case said.
Entering his ninth season as head coach, Case is already pleased with the progress of his freshmen class. He said Marissa Cussins looks to bring an offensive dynamic to the team right away, while Taylor Wingerden will try to build on her success last fall, when she was named SUNYAC Rookie of the Year in women's soccer.
“The freshmen have done well so far in preseason,” Case said. “Taylor has great endurance. She will be an offensive threat for us this year.”
With both the freshman and returners contributing, Case sees a much deeper team in the midfield.
“Last season,” he said, “we had primarily three or four players do our scoring. We have six, seven, or maybe eight players in the midfield this season. We look to play a quicker game and be well-balanced.”
Casey Chiesa returns in the net for the Blue Devils after a very successful freshman season in 2010. She had 170 saves, a Fredonia State single-season record.
“Casey is a great Division III goalkeeper,” Case said. “She has all the tools. We want to try to limit the number of difficult shots she faces this season.”
The Blue Devils have made improvements on defense during the off-season. Junior captain Megan Mietelski will anchor the backfield. Lisa Hinterberger and Erin Edson will also play roles. Mietelski was First Team All-SUNYAC last season and Second Team as a freshman.
Case said sophomore Leah Palmer has made great strides from her freshman season. Palmer and a few freshmen will look for time as the fourth defender.
Key losses via graduation are All-SUNYAC Katie Monaghan, Valerie Snider, and Stacy Morgan. Monaghan is among the program's top all-time scorers, while Snider is on the all-time groundballs list.
As for the upcoming season, Case understands that his team plays in a difficult conference. Cortland, winners of 12 straight SUNYAC championships, enters this season ranked sixth in the 2011 Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Division III poll. In addition, the Blue Devils have added Adrian (Mich.) to an already strong non-league schedule, which includes St. Lawrence and RIT.
“We are capable of playing with them this season,” Case said. “This year, we are a better team on paper. We hope to get to that 12- or 13-win mark, but it will take some work.”
The Blue Devils open their season Saturday (March 5) at Allegheny, the first game by a spring team in 2011. They will then travel to West Palm Beach, Fla., for three games in the 2011 Spring Fling.
