Season Preview
2008 PREVIEW
The 2008 edition of Buffalo State women’s lacrosse features a team that returns 15 players from last year’s squad and includes four newcomers that have adapted well into the Bengals’ style of play.
Despite a 7-0 run to start the 2007 season, as well as equaling a school record for most wins in a season, the team fell short of its playoff goal, finishing fifth in the SUNYAC standings with just a 2-5 conference mark. According to sixth-year head coach Meg Stevens, this year’s team is fueled by last year’s conference failures.
“The team was definitely frustrated by last year’s performance,” she said. “This year, we know what counts and that’s winning league games. Our new approach is ‘one game at a time, overlook no one’.”
Here is a positional look at the 2008 Buffalo State Bengals:
GOALIE: Buffalo State will feature two capable individuals at the goalie position this year in senior Katie Rivers (Watertown/Watertown) and freshman Ashley O’Brien (Lima/Honeoye Falls-Lima). Rivers possesses the senior leadership and experience expected of a fourth-year player. O’Brien is very coachable and should adjust well to the college level. Her numerous high school accolades attest to her ability to make an immediate impact with the team.
DEFENSE: The Bengals’ defensive unit returns three from last year’s squad, including captains Ashley Parker (Watertown/Watertown) and Kristen Reilly (Cicero/Cicero-N. Syracuse). Parker enters her final year at Buffalo State sporting a hard, aggressive style of play, having led the team in ground balls and caused turnovers in 2007. A two-time All-SUNYAC honoree, she is a true leader and fits well into the defensive scheme. Reilly is a tenacious defender and despite battling injuries, has started every game for the Bengals in her first two seasons. Junior Kember Greco (Southampton/Southampton) is a strong player, both mentally and physically. She is a good team player and sees the field well.
Sophomore’s looking to make an impact this year are Alyssa VanDurme (Oswego/Oswego) and Julia Gefell (Watertown/Watertown). VanDurme transferred to Buffalo State from Division II Philadelphia University where she was a member of the women’s lacrosse team. A tough, hard-working defender, she also sees the field well and is a great addition to the team. Gefell will drop down from the midfield to round out a core defensive unit.
MIDFIELD: Seniors Shantel Ackley (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) and Katie Lyons (Williamsville/Williamsville North) will lead a talented Bengals’ midfield in 2008. Ackley possesses phenomenal stick and footwork and will be the key to a fast-paced offense and tenacious defense. Already a school-record holder in several categories, she eclipsed the 100-point mark in 2007 and will be looking to set even more milestones during her senior campaign. Lyons brings speed to the midfield position and will be looked to not only in transition, but also as a scorer. A team captain, she is a great leader that always puts the team first.
A group of five sophomores make up the bulk of the midfield, led by Katie Henderson (Lakeview/Frontier), Joni Squire-Hill (Ohsweken, ON/Hagerville) and Jennifer Tierney (Massapequa/Massapequa). Henderson is quick and has worked hard to improve her stickwork in the off season. She understands the team concept and has demonstrated her ability to be a scorer, finishing third on the team last year with 24 goals. Squire-Hill, coming off World Cup play for Team Haudenosaunee, is in great shape and has good vision of the field. She also demonstrates great ball control and has a powerful shot. Tierney is a strong defender and great offensive asset that has added depth to her game.
Other sophomores poised to make an impact are Marilyn Kush (East Aurora/East Aurora) and Abby Breneman (Wooster, OH/Wooster). Kush, one of the most improved players from last year, has more confidence, better ball control and vision. Breneman has vastly improved her stickwork and field sense since last season and along with freshman Kelly Nelson (Hamburg/Frontier) will bring further depth to the midfield position.
ATTACK: A senior, two sophomores and a newcomer will serve up front for the Bengals this season, supported by a solid midfield group that will be important in the transition game. Erin Silky (Liverpool/Liverpool), with her phenomenal stickwork, has worked hard to make her senior year stand out. She will be looked to for her ability to score and hand out assists.
Sophomores Stephanie Georgopoulos (Port Jefferson Station/Comsewogue) and Molly Seifritz (Syracuse/Henninger) will make a great combination up high for the Bengals. Georgopoulos is coming off a successful freshman campaign in which she led the team in scoring with 37 goals and 11 assists. She is a naturally-talented attacker and displays dynamic stickwork coupled with great footwork. Seifritz has matured as a player and is intelligent on the field. A smart ball handler, the team will look to her to increase her output this season.
Newcomer Liz Eddy (Albany/Colonie) transfered to Buffalo State from Robert Morris where she also played on the women’s lacrosse team. A two-time Section XI honorable mention honoree at Colonie Central, she will look to find her niche in the offensive unit.
SCHEDULE: Buffalo State welcomes Allegheny College for its home opener on March 8 before traveling to Lycoming (March 15) for its first road contest. The Bengals will travel to Virginia for their spring trip, where they will compete against Christopher Newport (March 24) and Randolph-Macon (March 26). Buffalo State begins SUNYAC competition at Brockport on April 1. The Bengals will host Oneonta (April 5), Geneseo (April 8), Morrisville (April 22) and Oswego (April 26), while visiting Potsdam (April 12), Cortland (April 19) and Fredonia (April 29).
