Women's Lacrosse

Women's Lax Opens Season Wednesday at Home Versus Wells

ONEONTA, NY - Hartwick's women's lacrosse team opens up its 2010 campaign on Wednesday when the Hawks host Wells College at Wright Stadium at 4 p.m. Third-year head coach Rachel Dell's group is young with no seniors, 11 underclassmen, and eight newcomers on the roster. The Hawks finished 2-13 last season but are a more talented and deeper squad that is hungry to improve upon last season's mark.

The Hawks will be led this season by junior tri-captains Jen Kaye (Altamont, NY/Guilderland), Bianca Gianfrate (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott), and Jess Kenna (Mastic Beach, NY/William Floyd).

Kaye, the Hawks' starting goalkeeper, will be the backbone of the 'Wick defense with her aggressiveness, experience and leadership. Last season, she grabbed season highs of 58 ground balls and 20 caused turnovers. She also netted a pair of goals before taking over full time in the Hartwick cage two games into the season.

Gianfrate is Hartwick's top defender. She has played every minute of every game over the last two seasons. She is an aggressive player who is solid on one versus one drives and can cause a lot of turnovers. Dell will look for Gianfrate to ignite the Hawks' transition game. In 2009, she registered 18 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers.

Kenna brings experience to the defensive unit after making 10 starts in the back last season. She is a patient player who scored two goals, grabbed 14 ground balls, and 10 draw controls. Kenna will also serve as the Hawks' reserve goalkeeper.

Offensively, Dell brings back her top four scorers, including junior Tiffanie Bishop (Shoreham, VT/Middlebury), and sophomores Emily Walsh (Cortland, NY/Cortland), Brittany LaVaute (Skaneateles, NY/Skaneateles), and Hannah Kennedy (Avon, CT/Avon).

Bishop, an intelligent midfielder with great dodging ability and good stick skills, will be a key to Hartwick on both ends of the field this season. Last year, Bishop ranked 2nd on the team with 22 goals and 27 points. She led the team in draws with 40, was tied for 2nd in caused turnovers with 13, and added 23 ground balls.

Walsh will lead the Hartwick attack as the team's top returning scorer. She is the Hawks' most aggressive, offensive-minded player who demands the ball and has a knack for finding the goal. Last season, she tallied 24 times with five assists in her first season with the program.

LaVaute will join Bishop to help bolster a solid midfield corps. Despite moving from a defender to a midfielder last season, LaVaute still managed to score 20 goals. She grabbed 25 ground balls, 21 draws, and caused 10 turnovers.

Kennedy is a scrappy attacker and good feeder behind the cage. She is an excellent cutter and can get to goal effectively. In 2009, she finished the year with 14 goals, including 12 goals in the final three games of the season.

Returning in the midfield will be sophomore Emily Piedigrossi (Cortland, NY/Cortland). She has great size and will run the middle of the field this season. She is a solid, cautious defender and Dell will look for her to increase her offensive production after registering six goals and two assists last year.

Dell welcomes eight new additions to the roster that should make immediate impacts with the Blue and White.

Lyndsey Zweigenhaft (Islip, NY/Islip), Jalicia Connell (Westbury, NY/Hicksville), and Alex Willey (Pittsburgh, PA/Oakland Catholic) arrive on the defensive end. Zweigenhaft is a very fast player who has moved from the midfield to defense. She has good stick skills for a defensive player and can effectively shut down opposing teams' transition game. Connell, who had a very successfully first season for the women's basketball team at Hartwick, is a natural athlete with good speed and instincts. She will be one of the most aggressive players on the team. Willey, a hard-working defender, will add depth to the Hawks' back line with her aggressive style of play.

In the midfield, Dell looks for big things from freshmen Erica Scicchitano (Centerport, NY/Harbor Fields), Kate O'Shea (Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood), and Ryan McGovern (Miller Place, NY/Rocky Point). Scicchitano is a strong offensive player with an excellent shot. She has good speed, great stick skills, and will look to find the cage in her first season with the Hawks. O'Shea is a versatile player who will chip in on both sides of the ball. She should see time at every position throughout the year and will be looked upon to provide offense as she possesses a strong shot. McGovern is a smart player and natural attacker. She will be relied upon for her feeding ability and can be a goal scorer for the Hawks.

On attack, Erin Doyle (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran) and Jen Lin (Albany, NY/Albany) are new to the team but will both be factors in Hartwick's success this season. Doyle is a good shooter and feeder who has the ability to get by defenders. She can drive with both hands, is a good dodger, and should excel on the offensive end. Lin, a standout on the Hartwick tennis team, is a calm, composed player who has great speed and will look to put points on the board for the Hawks.