Lauren Bouton
Setting the Scene:
The Wittenberg University women's lacrosse team had a rocky 2007 with a youthful squad under new head coach Kati Robbins, finishing the season 3-11 and 0-6 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC).
The season got off to a promising start as the team won its season opener, defeating Salve Regina in a Spring Break game in West Palm Beach, Florida. Unfortunately, the next three opponents proved to be too difficult for Tigers as they fell to each opponent while on the road. The Red and White bounced back with a big homeopening win against Fontbonne University. However, league play once again was too strong for the tigers, and they lost their next eight games before ending out the season with a win against non-league opponent Alfred University while on the road.
Defensively, the Tigers improved in 2007, causing 133 turnovers this season, increased from 117 in 2006. The Tigers also showed improvement offensively, taking 63 more shots on goals in 2007 than in 2006.
Postseason Honors:
Junior midfielder Amber Cupples (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster) and junior defender Beth Voderbrink (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) both received second-team All-NCAC. Vonderbrink led the squad with 44 groundballs and 28 caused turnovers. Cupples led the team in goals in the 2007 season by knocking in 23 goals along with leading the team in assists with 11, while earning a spot in the record books at second for single season draw controls with 42. Junior attacker Megan Meige (Columbus, Ohio/DeSales) received Honorable Mention All-NCAC following her 12 goal, nine assist season.
Super Seniors:
The guidance and support of seniors Lauren Bouton (Roswell, Ga./Roswell), Melissa Jackson (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington), Michelle Hanners (New Albany, Ohio/Columbus School for Girls), and Kari Thomas (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) proved to be key in the Tigers' season, as they prepared the young team for the challenges it will face in 2008.
Jackson was a potent offensive threat during her tenure at Wittenberg. She earned eight varsity letters between field hockey and lacrosse throughout her four years in Springfield. She leaves the lacrosse team with 105 career goals, elevating her to a position in the record books as the seventh highest scorer in Wittenberg history.
Bouton finished her career at Wittenberg as a midfielder compiling 78 groundballs and causing 38 turnovers, while Hanners, a product of Columbus, Ohio finished as a four year letterwinner. Hanners finished with a career total of 38 goals and 21 assists.
Melissa Jackson
Youth Movement:
The Tigers were a young team in 2007, but the players left the season with confidence and experience for a promising 2008 season. The experience gained from a challenging 2007 season will help lead Wittenberg into contention for the NCAC championship.
On the offensive side the Tigers are expected to return three of the five leading scorers on the team, including all-conference players Amber Cupples and Megan Meige. Also returning are senior Molly Floyd (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Hathaway Brown), junior Lizzie Amorello (Sutton, Mass./Worcester Academy), and junior Hannah Cupples (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster), all of whom are expected to contribute highly on the offensive end of the field.
Defensively, the Tigers will be anchored by returning starter and second team all-conference player Beth Vonderbrink. The Tigers will also look for defensive help from sophomore Andrea Berry (East Amherst, NY/ Williamsville North) and goalkeeper Bonnie Kenney (Lutherville, Md./Park School).
The Coach:
Four years after graduating from Wittenberg University, Kati Robbins, class of 2002, returned home as the university's women's lacrosse head coach. The 2001 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Women's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Year took over for Diana Kuser, the team's interim head coach for the majority of the 2006 season after Katherine Haney resigned in March.
In her first season as head coach, Robbins compiled a 3-11 overall record and 0-6 mark in conference play. Ending the season with a big win over Alfred University, the Tigers have a promising outlook on the 2008 season with a more experienced and confident team.