Tanner and the Herons have high expectations in 2006. (photo Kevin Colton)

March 13, 2006

GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College lacrosse team has high expectations for the 2006 campaign. Despite the loss of six starters to graduation, the Herons welcome back 10 seasoned veterans along with a batch of talented newcomers.

Under the guidance of Head Coach Pat Genovese, the William Smith lacrosse team has registered 23 winning seasons, including 16 appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament. The only coach the program has ever known, Genovese sits atop the Division III women’s lacrosse wins list, boasting a career record of 318-113-1.

In the attacking third of the field, the Herons feature four fresh faces. Senior Louise Greenwood (Springside School/Wyndmoor, Pa.), sophomore Jesse McKenna (Middlesex School/Wenham, Mass.), and first-year Nina Sperry (Daniel Hand/Madison, Conn.) are expected to start, while a trio of student-athletes are battling for the remaining starting position. In her first season as a starter, Greenwood is expected to spark the offense with her powerful, precise shot and superior stick skills. A consistent playmaker, McKenna is comfortable in the offensive scheme and has developed into a primary feeder. A prolific high school scorer, Sperry possesses the full compliment of shots and is dangerous with or without the ball.

Vying for the fourth and final starting spot on the attack are junior Hannah Wesley (Avon/Avon, Conn.) and first-years Michaela Parnell (Guilford/Guilford, Conn.) and Caitlin Leone (Auburn/Auburn, N.Y.). Wesley has explosive speed and a powerful shot; Parnell generates high caliber scoring opportunities by driving to the cage; while Leone is lethal inside the 6-meter circle.

The cornerstone of the 2006 William Smith squad will lay within its midfield as Genovese returns three out of four starters. Despite the graduation of Ali Herter, a 2005 All-Liberty League first-team selection, juniors Sarah Dillon (Blair Academy/Oldwick, N.J.) and Jessica Scott (Waynflete School/Portland, Maine), and sophomore Rachel Stahl (Charles W. Baker/Baldwinsville, N.Y) all started at least 13 games in 2005.

Dillon, who made an immediate impact in her debut as a starter, led the team in goals (38) and points (46), while ranking second in draws controlled (23) and caused turnovers (22). The 2005 second-team All-Liberty League selection will see the lion’s share of attention from the opposition, so her ability to read the defense and distribute accordingly are essential to the effectiveness of the Herons’ attack. A physically gifted athlete, Dillon will use her decisive reach advantage to control center draws and wreak havoc on defense.

A two-year starter and a tri-captain, Scott is a consistent offensive and defensive presence. She registered at least one point in 11of the 15 games she played in last season, including a season-high four assists in a 12-10 win against St. John Fisher. Scott is also an aggressive defender, causing a season-high four turnovers against Clarkson on March 25, 2005.

In her first season as a starter, Stahl demonstrated glimpses of becoming a serious offensive threat, registering a pair of hat tricks (Ithaca, Vassar). With a young front line, she is expected to shoulder more of the scoring load. Stahl’s ability to shoot off the dodge and move the goalie make her a viable scoring option.

Junior Jane Erickson (Douglas County/Castle Rock, Colo.) and first-year Lauren Peters (Dana Hall School/Dedham, Mass.) are expected to play significant minutes. Erickson has a quick first step and strong sticks skills, while Peters has keen vision and a nose for the goal.

In the defensive third of the field, William Smith will have to replace the veteran leadership of Liz Harris ’05 and Julie Stevenson ’05, but the Herons have assembled a vaunted defense, spearheaded by two-time IWLCA All-Region pick, senior Jessica Tanner (Guilderland/Schenectady, N.Y.) and classmate Jennifer Davidson (South Burlington/South Burlington, Vt.). Tanner, a 2005 second-team All-Liberty League pick, led the team in draws controlled (27) and was tied for first in ground balls (42) with Davidson. One of the tri-captains, Tanner is a shut down defender, regardless of the opposition’s strengths. A three-year mainstay on defense, Davidson will use her experience and leadership to direct the defense.

Sophomore Sarah Davidson (South Burlington/South Burlington, Vt.) and first-year Torie Allen (Governor Drummer Academy/Dedham, Mass.) are expected to fill the void left by graduation. Sarah Davidson is a mirror image of her sister, while Allen utilizes her size advantage and understanding of the defensive schemes to cut off passing angles.

First-years Karen LeBlanc (Conrad/West Hartford, Conn.) and Amber Drumm (Tully/Tully, N.Y.) will push the starters for quality minutes. LeBlanc, a speedster, uses her great positioning to make stops and jumpstart the transition, while Drumm has great footwork and is beginning to grasp the defensive schemes.

When they return from preseason injuries, sophomore Bridget Millard (Manhasset/Manhasset, N.Y.) and first-year Melissa Gaydos (U-32/West Berlin, Vt.) will bolster the lineup.

Between the pipes, sophomore Morgan Baird (Pingree School/Gloucester, Mass.) and first-year Rebecca Josefiak (West Seneca East/West Seneca, N.Y.) are battling for the starting nod. Baird, who saw action in nine games in 2005, has showcased cat-like reflexes and the ability to jumpstart the fast break with precise clears. A highly decorated high school goalkeeper, Josefiak garnered first-team All-ECIC honors as a senior. She is a solid backstop who cuts down the opposition’s shooting angles.

William Smith prides itself on playing a rugged schedule year in and year out. The 2006 slate is no exception, boasting four teams from last season’s NCAA Tournament field and four teams ranked in the IWLCA preseason coaches poll. The Herons open the 2006 campaign with their annual trip to Florida for contests against No. 10 Franklin & Marshall on March 14, and No. 7 Bowdoin, two days later. William Smith makes its home debut during the annual Heron Draw, when the Herons square off against No. 8 SUNY Cortland on April 1.

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