With three of the top four scorers from the 1994 season returning to the field this year and a solid goaltender guarding the net, the women's lacrosse team can only expect good things and an improvement over last year's impressive 11-4 overall record.
The team has jumped out to a 2-0 record, starting the season with a 10-6 win over ninth-ranked Old Dominion and a 17-8 thrashing of Richmond.
Dartmouth is currently ranked fourth in the Brine Division I Women's Lacrosse Poll.
"We definitely have a lot of talenton a team that's very comparable to the last two seasons when we've been in the top six in the country," Head Coach Amy Patton said.
Led by senior co-Captains Lauren Holleran and Mya Mangawang, the team is characterized by "an experienced attack and a younger defense," according to Assistant Coach Marianne Bocock. Both Holleran and Mangawang, along with several others, should be key contributors to this season's team.
Holleran is off to a quick start already this season, earning Ivy League Offensive Co-Player of the Week honors for her 10 goals and three assists in Dartmouth's first two games.
Confidence in the team comes from all sides. In the preseason Brine Coaches Poll, Dartmouth ranked number four. This compares well to Dartmouth's usual eighth or ninth preseason ranking in the poll. "It's the first year we've been seen as a strength," Holleran said.
And with good reason. With the lineup Dartmouth has, the team is sure to find success this season.
Holleran heads up the Big Green roster. Holleran, who plays attack, already holds the school record for the most points in a career, racking up 170. With another entire season to go, Holleran's career point total should far outdistance her nearest challengers.
With Holleran on attack is Sarah Devens '96. Last season, as a sophomore, Devens was second only to Holleran in scoring, although she led the team in assists, establishing a single-season school record with 17. "The other teams have to worry about her," Bocock said.
Other returning forces on attack are Wallis Cook '95 and Kim Mendelson '97 who should both add to the combination of Holleran and Devens. Newcomer Julia Morrill '98 should also help to keep things running smoothly. "We're hoping she will add some speed to our midline," Bocock said.
"We have a couple of superstars. Both Lauren [Holleran] and Sarah [Devens] are very recognized," Bocock said. "Our focus will be on a team attack, though. Everyone will be a part of it."
As for defense, the three are relatively new to lacrosse. Mangawang, Jenny Edwards '95 and Lauren Demski '96 all picked up the sport only two years ago.
Mangawang proved her dedication and talent for lacrosse quickly, earning her position as team captain. Not only does Mangawang have skill on defense, but she also accumlated 10 points last season.
Rounding out the defense are Demski, Edwards and Andrea Krumholz '97.
"Our defense will be a strong cohesive unit instead of individual defenders," Holleran said.
Starting in goal behind the defenders will be Kirsten Prettyman '95. Prettyman, who has earned herself a .559 save percentage, should see a lot of time between the posts. "She is an excellent communicator," Bocock said.
The team graduated five players last year including two All-Americans -- defenseman Ellen Bruce '94 and goalie Kim Cohen '94.
Patton said, "We've suffered some hard losses but we also got some good freshmen, and we are looking to the younger players from last year to step into those spots."
As for strategy, "we're looking to be more consistent," Patton said. "We tend to get up for the big games, but don't for the middle of the road games, so we lose them."
On the weekend of March 4 and 5, the team travelled to Virginia where it participated in the William and Mary Tournament.
"It gave us a chance to play a lot of really top teams," Patton said. "We were able to see where we were as a team."
And where was that? "To be honest, we started out pretty poor, but each game got better and better. That's all you can ask, is that they consistently get better. I was very happy with them," Patton said.
"This is the first year we have been a strength," Holleran said. "People are saying, 'Wow, they're good.' Hopefully we'll live up to it."
