Women’s Lacrosse Season Preview: Experience, continuity and depth return to the cage and backline

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's lacrosse team will contend with just three losses to graduation from last year's team and welcomes back its entire defensive unit in 2017.

The resistance squad that led the Northeast Conference in scoring defense (9.11 goals allowed) a season ago is fueled by the most veteran presence that head coach Jill Batcheller has had at her disposal in her time at Bryant.

Reigning NEC Defensive Player of the Year Molly Martin (Island Park, N.Y.) highlights arguably the top backline in the league. Martin paced the Bulldogs with 32 caused turnovers and 41 ground balls in 2016, sitting third and eighth in the league, respectively. With nearly unmatched speed and quickness, Molly is a dominant presence on defense and in the clearing game, adding a career-high 13 draw controls while scoring her first two career goals as a junior.

Martin is accompanied by classmate and fellow All-NEC First Team selection Carly Cronin (Feeding Hills, Mass.), who finished second on the team with 20 caused turnovers, 33 ground balls and 29 draw controls in 2016.

"Molly is just a competitor," said Batcheller. "Every time she steps on the field, she is there to make aggressive plays for the ball and get the ball back. And Carly, who plays solid defense and who we can rely on for matchups, is her counterpart on the backline. We will count on Carly's one-on-one skills to guard against our opponents' top attackers."

Senior Dori Hellar (Duxbury, Mass.) rounds out the seasoned backline after starting 15 games last year and causing 10 turnovers with 10 draw controls and 16 ground balls. The trio make up three of the team's four captains – joined by junior Meaghan Brennan (Glen Head, N.Y.) – and will be the leaders for the Black and Gold in 2017.

Another pair of defenders that saw heavy minutes in 2016 were juniors Madison McNally (East Northport, N.Y.) and Amanda Moss (Lebanon, N.J.), both proving they are up to the task when it comes to shutting down the opposition.

McNally appeared in all 18 games and earned 17 starts as a sophomore. She caused 11 turnovers, won six draw controls and picked up 21 ground balls to finish fourth on the team. Moss appeared in 10 games for the Black and Gold and caused one turnover to go along with three ground balls.

"Our defense is led by three of our captains, and with the addition of these two juniors, that makes for a lot of experience, a lot of communication and a lot of cohesiveness in the unit," said Batcheller.

Laura Fullam (Massapequa, N.Y.) will also challenge for minutes after appearing in all 18 games last season, earning four starts. The junior caused seven turnovers, picked up seven ground balls and corralled four draw controls to go along with four points (3 goals, 1 assist).

For a third-straight season, Batcheller also has the luxury of two strong options between the pipes. And now, they both come with experience.

Juniors Samantha Santeramo (Wantagh, N.Y.) and Daja Andrews (Lumberton, N.Y.) will battle for time in the cage once again after benefiting from a second-consecutive offseason to continue to push each other to improve.

Santeramo became the go-to option for Batcheller last season, making 15 starts in her 17 appearances. She allowed just 97 goals in her second season, posting a 12-2 record and leading the league in save percentage (.497) and goals against average (7.67), numbers that ranked 13th and 16th in the nation, respectively.

"Sam is doing a really great job with her consistency so far this season in terms of making good saves, communicating with the defense and quickly getting the ball out to jumpstart our clears," said Batcheller. "These are things that she was good at last year, but she has excelled at them with the addition of goalie coach Kelsea Donnelly."

Andrews appeared in 11 games and made three starts, turning away 37 shots and sporting a 12.26 goals against average.

"Daja adds her own spark to the defense in making those out-of-nowhere saves," said Batcheller. "We are pumped to have both this season, especially since they come back with so much experience."

PREVIEWING NO. 5/4 STONY BROOK
The Bulldogs will have their toughest test of the season right out of the gates, taking on No. 5/4 Stony Brook on the road in their 2017 season opener Saturday at 12 p.m.

"We have to play a solid game on defense," said Batcheller. "They have some really great drivers who we will need to body on all of their drives. We are looking to win and maintain possession, beginning on the draw, and we will have to be able to finish on our shots."

The Seawolves (1-0) began their season two weeks ago, defeating No. 19/19 Towson, 10-9, on the road. Down one with two minutes to play, Samantha Disalvo and Kylie Ohlmiller each netted goals to seal the Seawolves' season-opening victory. Ohlmiller finished the game with one goal and three assists, leading the team with four points to start the year.

The Bulldogs got their first look at the Seawolves last season, opening 2016 with a battle in Smithfield. Stony Brook topped Bryant, 18-4, en route to its impressive 17-4 campaign and fourth-straight America East Championship.

"We are going to have to play with composure and take smart risks in order for us to be competitive," said Batcheller. "We need to play Bryant: stay composed and confident. We want to fight for every 50-50 ball. Outwork, out-run, out-tough, out-team. We want to be the best team on the field."

Saturday's 2017 season opener kicks off at noon. Fans can watch the game at AmericaEast.TV.