Lady laxers ready for start of season

Although the women's lacrosse team's season wouldn't start for another 24 days, Lady Lion coach Julie Williams couldn't help but feel thrilled at spring sports media day on Feb. 12.

"We're pretty full force into practice, and we're great," Williams was saying. "We feel really good. We're excited for the season to start."

The Lady Lions' first action comes at the William and Mary Invitational on March 8. Until then, the Penn State players will practice, hoping to avoid a start similar to last year when they lost their first two games.

With nine returning starters, including five seniors, Williams can't wait to show the lacrosse world what she has. The Lady Lions, who finished No. 5 last year, will again be led by senior Michele DeJuliis, who scored 46 goals last season, twice as many as the next highest scorer, Tam Crowe.

"I can't stop smiling," Crowe said. "I feel good. We're really pulling it together. It's all so exciting."

Midfielder Amy Carnaggio, defender Allison McCall and defender Tara Rowlyk --all seniors -- also will be counted on to provide leadership. That experience makes it easier to coach, which helps soothe Williams' worries about the team.

That seasoning will be vital while integrating the younger players, like freshman midfielder Jen Webb, who Williams expects to start.

Another starter, junior goaltender Lauren Retzlaff, who played every minute for the Lady Lions last year has high expectations placed on her. Williams said it is the pivotal position in women's lacrosse.

"You've got to have someone back there who is confident and strong and ready to lead the team, not just the defense," Williams said. "She's so much more ready to be in a leadership role."

Penn State's attack will also be experienced and balanced.

"They're playing like this group has been together for three years," Williams said.

The Lady Lions will not be relying on just one player to score because everybody on the field will be able to put the ball in the net.

"I think our attack this year, it's great to know that every person who takes the ball can score," DeJuliis said. "I feel good about our defense, but I feel great about our attack."

The reason for the diversification is because DeJuliis doesn't feel as much pressure to be the goal scorer. Others have stepped up to relieve the burden.

"Now you're seeing more assists for Michele," Williams said. "She's always felt like she's had to score. Now she's got three or four girls she can throw to."

The excited feeling flowing through the team is spreading from player to player.

"The confidence is just so overwhelming," Crowe said. "You just know what everybody's going to do. That, to me, is from the confidence we have together."

"That's new," Williams added. "It's something we didn't have."

The Lady Lions will need that confidence when they open their regular season at Old Dominion two days after the William and Mary Invitational.

"It seems our schedule is so intense at the beginning and then it gets intense at the end," Williams said. "I know the kids would rather be playing games than practicing."

In only 11 days, they will be.