The Wittenberg women's lacrosse program has undergone some changes at the start of the 2007 season, but the outlook remains upbeat. New head coach Kati Robbins (Wittenberg '02) takes over a Tiger team that returns 13 letterwinners after posting a 3-11 overall record a year ago.
On offense, the Tigers have a fine combination of talent and experience. It starts with senior attacker Melissa Jackson (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington), who is coming off a 52-point season in 2006, including a team-best 43 goals. Jackson also had nine assists and a solid .483 shooting percentage as she garnered an All-North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) honorable mention award in 2006. She was a second-team all-NCAC award winner in 2005.
The 2007 roster includes two other second-team all-conference honorees. Sophomore attacker Lizzie Amorello (Sutton, Mass./Worcester Academy)finished with 23 goals and five assists in the 2006 season, while junior Amber Cupples (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster) matched that with 23 goals and added a team-high 26 assists, one of the top season totals in school history. Cupples also led the Tigers in ground balls (36), draw controls (31) and caused turnovers (17). The offensive attack is complemented by the experienced play of senior Michelle Hanners (New Albany, Ohio/Columbus School for Girls), who started all 14 games in 2006, contributing eight goals and nine assists.
In the midfield, senior Lauren Bouton (Roswell, Ga./Roswell) is the most experienced returning player after starting 13 games a year ago. She ranked among the team leaders in draw controls and caused turnovers.
In addition, junior Molly Floyd (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Hathaway Brown), who transferred to Wittenberg in the last year, will be playing her first year for the Tigers and is expected to make an immediate impact in the midfeild. Sophomores Cait Mather (Mason, Ohio/Mason) and Megan Meige (Columbus, Ohio/DeSales), now with a season under their belts, also return after seeing action in every game last year and combining for 16 points and 30 ground balls.
The defensive unit is led by senior Kari Thomas (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman), a two-time all-conference honoree with 50 career goals heading into the 2007 season. Sophomore Beth Vonderbrink (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame), who was second on the team in ground balls and draw controls, will add to the strength of the defensive backfield. Freshman Andrea Berry (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville North) is among several first-year players who figure prominently in the team's plans for the 2007 season.
In goal, the Tigers are a bit green. Junior Sarah Zane (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson)and freshman Bonnie Kenney (Lutherville, Md./Park School) will split time to start the season. Zane, who did not play last year, appeared in six games during the 2005 season.
Written By: Pat Denbow '07