Bryant tabbed as top team in NEC Coaches Poll, looks to continue success in 2014

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After falling just short of a Northeast Conference Championship in its first season eligible, the Bryant University women's lacrosse team has been selected as the 2014 preseason favorite by the league's head coaches, as announced Tuesday afternoon.

The Bulldogs received six of a possible seven first-place votes, with Mount St. Mary's securing the final two. The Mount is slated to finish second in the preseason order. Sacred Heart is predicted to take  third, with Robert Morris and Central Connecticut rounding out the top five, respectively.

Saint Francis U, Wagner and LIU Brooklyn complete the preseason ladder in sixth through eighth, respectively. Bryant finished third last season with a 6-3 conference record (10-8 overall), advancing all the way to the NEC Tournament title matchup.

"I'm so proud for our program to receive its first-ever No. 1 preseason ranking," said head coach Jill DePetris-Batcheller. "The last two years, we have come so far to prove ourselves among such tough league competition. We know that it's going to be a fight to keep that top ranking this season, but we are excited to take on the challenge."

The Bulldogs return their top 10 points getters from a season ago, suffering only one major personnel loss. That loss comes on the backline with the graduation of four-year starter and all-conference defender Nicole Rettinger, the field general of the 2013 squad.

Her absence leaves a big hole for the Black and Gold not only in the skill and experience of the defense, but the overall leadership of the team on the field, which could stand as the Bulldogs' biggest challenge in this season's early goings.

But DePetris-Batcheller has a plethora of talent vying to fill both aspects of the role.

ATTACK
Six of the team's top 10 scorers from last season return on the attack, including top assist leader Haley Bloom (Hauppauge, N.Y.). The Second Team All-NEC selection was the team's top attack in 2013, finishing third in overall points (47), while leading the side with 20 assists and adding 27 goals.

"All of her experiences have put her in a place to help our team find the right options to score," said DePetris-Batcheller. "She leads with her communication and her play and has really been stepping up to continue be a threat this year."

She will be looked toward to call upon that experience and guide an offensive unit that is full of still young talent, most notably a trio of sophomores who are expected to make an even bigger impact in 2014 with a season of collegiate play now under their belts.

Those sophomores – Lauren Descalzo (Hauppauge, N.Y.), Morgan LaBarbera (New Fairfield, Conn.) and Nicole Britton (Monmouth Beach, N.J.) – combined for 58 points over 40 combined starts in 2013, with Descalzo earning NEC All-Rookie Team recognition after starting all 18 contests and finishing fourth on the team in scoring (36g, 1a).

"Lauren has so much athleticism and speed, and she is really stepping into her own and finding the holes in the defense this season," said DePetris-Batcheller. "She is really finding ways to shine in the preseason."

LaBarbera started 16 contests while appearing in all 18, finding the net 14 times with four helpers, while Britton earned six starting nods.

"With all three gaining major minutes last season, these sophomores come back this year with confidence in their game and a new maturity on the field," said DePetris-Batcheller.

Senior Olivia McCarthy (Sea Girt, N.J.) will also compete for major minutes after starting in six games and appearing in 11 in 2013.

"Liv has taken her role as a senior very seriously and has added a new look to our offense from the low attack standpoint," said DePetris-Batcheller. "As a whole, we bring back a lot of experience, which has led to chemistry and composure from our offensive unit."

MIDFIELD
The Bulldogs also return arguably the strongest midfield ranks in the NEC, with the team's starting three all back for their senior season donning the Black and Gold.

"This group is a powerhouse of middies," said DePetris-Batcheller. "We are bringing back so much experience with our top four midfielders, and each brings her own unique strength to both sides of the field."

At the top of the ladder sits 2013 all-conference first teamer and leading scorer Lisa Vendel (Sandy Hook, Conn.), who looks to cap off a tremendous career as a four-year starter after leading the league in goals scored (46) and setting the program's Division I record for goals and points (54) in a season as a junior.

"Last year was Lisa's first year in the attacking end, and she really made an impact," said DePetris-Batcheller. "It's hard to believe, but Lisa came back even stronger than she was last season."

Fellow senior starter Kimberley Sniffen (Redding, Conn.) finished second on the scoring charts last year with 44 goals and 51 points, gathering numbers in ground balls (32), draw controls (26) and caused turnovers (26) that were second only to Vendel (35gb, 34dc, 28ct).

"Kim is one of our most dynamic two-way middies," said DePetris-Batcheller. "She has stepped up into a leadership position in terms of her communication, and has been and will continue to be a key playmaker for us in the middle."

The final returning starter, senior Kate Keckeisen (Danbury, Conn.), finished fifth in points a season ago, totaling 22 off 17 goals and five helpers.

"Kate is the glue that holds the midfield together," said DePetris-Batcheller. "Through her leadership in particular, she keeps the creativity in the attack."

Another upperclassman who is set to jump into the midfield mix is junior Shannon Burns (Mount Sinai, N.Y.). Burns appeared in all 18 contests in 2013, scoring 16 goals and adding a pair of helpers.

"I'm so proud of [Shannon] for finding her play among all the senior midfielders," said DePetris-Batcheller. "This season, she is ready to step out of that supporting role and be one of the most well-rounded players on our roster."

Even with the loads of upperclassmen experience DePetris-Batcheller has on her sideline, the second-year head coach expects some of her young, new faces to make their own mark as well, particularly the likes of Carly Cronin (Feeding Hills, Mass.), Ali Cardinal (Schenectady, N.Y.) and Shannon Sullivan (Farmingdale, N.Y.).

"Our freshman midfielders have been workhorses on the field throughout the fall and in preseason," she said. "Through their hard work, they will all compete for playing time."

DEFENSE
Despite the loss of Rettinger (29 ground balls, 18 caused turnovers), the 2014 defensive unit is more competitive than ever, according to DePetris-Batcheller.

"She was our playmaker at the defensive end last season, so that was a big hole for us to fill," she said. "But all of our defenders have done a great job stepping up their own game and taking risks through ground balls and checks."

And while multiple Bulldogs are vying to fill Rettinger's competitive shoes, only one is fitting to take over her role as the team's field general – two-time captain Lindsay Langella (Northport, N.Y.).

Langella started all 18 games on the backline a season ago, scooping up 17 ground balls with 11 caused turnovers. But it is her intangibles that perhaps stick out more than her statistics.

"Langella is continuing to do what she does best, and that's communicating to our defense and making sure that everyone is on the same page during the play," said DePetris-Batcheller. "She has continued to grow in other areas of her game, as well, especially in her confidence within our clears."

Junior Aileen Pearman (Fair Haven, N.J.) is also in the hunt to slide into the starting lineup after a strong finish to 2013, one that saw her named to the NEC All-Tournament Team. Pearman started nine games as a sophomore but appeared in all 18, scooping up 13 ground balls and forcing seven opponent turnovers.

"Aileen has hit the ground running again this season after stepping up and earning a starting spot midway through last year," said DePetris-Batcheller. "She had a huge impact on our success in the NEC Tournament last season, and her aggressiveness and physical play create turnovers and give her a strong presence on the defensive line."

Also in the battle are seniors Lindsay Gilfeather (Pleasantville, N.Y.) and Kelsey Greissing (Hudson, Ohio), junior Corey Mania (Wayne, N.J.) and rookie Molly Martin (Island Park, N.Y.), whose quickness has impressed the coaching staff through the preseason.

"She's one of the fastest players to ever come through Bryant," said DePetris-Batcheller, "and that speed will give us a huge advantage in our clearing game."

GOAL
As with their attack and midfield units, the Bulldogs have little to question between the pipes heading into the 2014 campaign with senior Brianna Watt (Babylon, N.Y.) returning to the cage.

Watt started all 18 games for the Black and Gold in 2013, posting a 10-8 record while setting new Division I program marks for goals against average (9.06) and total wins. She ranked third in the NEC in goals against and fifth in save percentage (.432), playing all but seven minutes in goal as a junior.

And she looks better than ever at the start of her final season donning the Black and Gold.

"She has a better understanding of our defensive set, so she can communication to the defense what the attack is showing," said goalie coach Mary Cuddihy. "She's gained so much composure and patience, which makes her a stronger all-around presence in the net. Her ability to come up with big plays sparks the defense, and that, in turn, sparks the entire team."

The Bulldogs kick off their 2014 season Wednesday afternoon in Worcester, Mass., taking on regional rival Holy Cross at 4:00 p.m.