The Wittenberg women's lacrosse program has undergone some changes at the start of the 2006 season, but the outlook remains upbeat. The Tigers return nine letterwinners in 2006 after posting a 6-8 overall record a year ago.
On offense, the Tigers have a fine combination of talent and experience. It starts with junior attacker Melissa Jackson, who is coming off a 39-point season in 2005 and tied for the team lead in goals with 15 as a freshman in 2004. Jackson led the Tigers with 31 goals a year ago, and she was chosen second-team All-North Coast Athletic Conference as a result.
The 2006 roster includes three other attackers - junior Michelle Hanners, who had 26 total points a year ago, and freshmen Lizzie Amorello and Ronnie Appenbrink.
In the midfield, three returning letterwinners form a strong nucleus in juniors Kari Thomas and Lauren Bouton and sophomore Amber Cupples. Thomas has been an all-conference honoree in each of her first two seasons in the Red & White, and she has 42 career goals heading into the 2006 season. Cupples led the Tigers in ground balls with 51 a year ago, and she added eight goals and 11 assists to the offensive attack. Her 11 assists tied for second on the team. Bouton was among the team leaders in caused turnovers with seven.
Two freshmen will have their opportunities in the midfield, Cait Mather and Katie Radeackar.
Rounding things out, the defensive unit is led by senior co-captain Emily Hiscar, who will earn her eighth and final varsity letter between soccer and lacrosse in 2006. She will cap her career as a rare four-year starter in two sports.
Two other letterwinners return to the defensive backfield - sophomore Abby Freeman and senior co-captain Ann Lutz. Freshmen Hannah Fox and Beth Vonderbrink are in the mix on defense as well.
In goal, the Tigers are a bit green. Sophomore Megan Scott and freshman Melissa Sedziol will split time. Neither has played goal in college prior to the 2006 season.