Feb. 21, 2012
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The Boston University women's lacrosse team will open its 2012 regular-season schedule on Wednesday when the Terriers trek to Amherst to take on Massachusetts. Game time is slated for 3 p.m.
BU will look to improve on last season's 8-9 overall record and 4-2 mark in America East competition. The Terriers return 16 letter winners from last season and will rely on a youthful yet experienced squad in their quest for their seventh conference crown in eight years.
Junior Danielle Etrasco, who scored 57 goals last season, returns to lead an experienced BU attack. Etrasco was named America East Co-Player of the Year in 2011 and was named to the U.S. Women's Senior National Team on Feb. 2. She will serve as a co-captain along with senior Molly Swain, who was also a captain last season. Swain finished with 29 goals and six assists last season.
Also returning at attack for BU are seniors Hannah Frey and Catie Tilton. Frey scored 28 goals last season, while Tilton collected 23 assists along with nine goals. Sophomore Elizabeth Morse looks to build off a strong rookie season that saw her record 10 points (6g, 4a). Other underclassmen who will hope to have an impact are sophomores Nell Burdis and Becca Church, as well as freshman Kelsey Marafioti, who will also see time at midfield.
In the midfield, senior Annie Stookesberry will lead a young group that includes seven freshmen. Stookesbury finished 2011 with four goals and caused three turnovers. Junior Kirsten Mogavero played in just eight games last year but notched 11 goals. Sophomore Sydney Godett had a strong rookie campaign, as she appeared in all 17 games and was a unanimous selection to the AE All-Rookie Team. She potted six goals and recorded 12 draw controls, 10 ground balls and two caused turnovers.
On defense, junior Brittany Carlin returns after a sensational sophomore season. She caused 12 turnovers and collected 20 ground balls in 17 games as a starter. She is joined by classmate Monica Baumgartner, who also caused 12 turnovers and picked up 11 ground balls. Sophomore Christie Hart also returns after a solid rookie campaign in which she recorded 12 ground balls and caused nine turnovers. Three freshmen will also see time on defense, as well as redshirt freshman Shannon Gilroy.
Sophomore Christina Sheridan and junior Kim Elsworth return as the two goaltenders at head coach Liz Robertshaw's disposal. Sheridan started 14 of the 16 games she appeared in, posting a 9.74 goals-against average and a .420 save percentage (103 saves) en route to seven wins. Elsworth appeared in seven games, including three as a starter.
Robertshaw has once again challenged her team with a difficult schedule, both in and out of conference. BU will face five ranked teams as of Feb. 20, four of which are non-conference opponents. The Terriers will host seven games at Nickerson Field, including No. 15 Notre Dame (March 10) and No. 8 Boston College (April 11).
