Back in the saddle
Lady laxers look to regain winning edge after surprising end to 1994

By ROB AMEN
Collegian Sports Writer

Since its inception in 1965, the Penn State women's lacrosse program has been accustomed to winning. When the program joined the United States Women's Lacrosse Association 13 years later, it immediately made its presence felt by capturing three straight national championships.

After a two-year stint in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, the Lady Lions joined the NCAA in 1983 and have been successful ever since.

So when the Lady Lions dropped a 21-4 contest to Maryland in the final game last season to finish 9-6 -- without a postseason bid -- it was a bit surprising.

But the Lady Lions are back and, under Coach Julie Williams' close watch, will attempt to make amends and start anew when they their season begins March 5.

"Experience is important," senior midfielder Jill Pearsall said. "We've had a year to work together as a team."

And that team is ranked fifth nationally in the College Sports preseason poll, something that does not come as a surprise to Williams.

"I'd say so," she said of the ranking, "in that people are hesitant to put you any further up when you have six losses. They still see us as a national contender. No. 5 (is) about fair."

If Penn State hopes to keep that status or even improve on it, Pearsall is a key. The senior from Lansdowne played a considerable role on the team last year before succumbing to a season-ending knee injury.

"We were right smack in the middle of the season when it happened in a real tough game," Williams said of Pearsall's injury. "That was a real tough jolt for us."

Along with Pearsall, the return of senior attacker Suzanne Weinberg will also be a key factor in the team's success. With the loss of last year's leading scorer, Kara Stockett (33 goals), Weinberg will be looked to for leadership -- and to carry much of Penn State's scoring load.

"We've talked a lot about our goals individually and what we need to work on," Weinberg said. "We realize what it takes to get back."

But she won't be alone. Weinberg should receive help from Michele DeJuliis. The sophomore attacker led the Lady Lions in total points (42) last season by tallying 30 goals and 12 assists.