Women's lacrosse is ready

Tyler Renaud began the Norwich University women's lacrosse team in the spring of 2007 and resigned after last season, according to norwichathletics.com.

Stepping in to fill Renaud's shoes is Head Coach Beth Van Parys, along with Assistant Coach Ashley Hughes.

After a successful start to the program, the Norwich women's lacrosse team has even higher expectations with its fourth season underway.

"We just started the full team practice. The first week getting into it as a team we put in some new things, starting with some defensive principles," Van Parys said.

"I think we should do pretty well because we didn't lose many people, and our new coaches seem pretty knowledgeable," said Mollie Fitzpatrick, 19, a sophomore psychology major from Falmouth, Maine. "It should all just add up and turn out pretty well as long as we work hard."

"Being a new coaching staff, we're doing a lot of things that (the team is) adjusting to, a lot of things they haven't done in the past. But everyone's doing really well with it and starting to come together as a team," Van Parys said.

"We're hoping to continue with the success from the past," Hughes said. "Not only to continue to be successful within the conference, but also expand our success to outside our conference as well."

The coaches are implementing new defensive and offensive systems and strategies for the team to learn and use this season.

"I think the new coaches are going to have a really positive effect on our team," said Meghan Kennedy, 19, a sophomore political science major from Lowell, Mass.  "And I think we could walk into the season and win the championship again, maybe even qualify for NCAAs."

"We have more plays because of the new coaches, and more strategy," said Danielle DelDotto, 19, a sophomore athletic training major from North Andover, Mass. "Last year we just went with the flow, but this year you have to use your head a lot more and follow the plays."

"Last year, we didn't really have any defensive or offensive systems and this year they're teaching everyone," said Suzanne Whitaker, 20, a sophomore communications major from Chelmsford, Mass. "Everyone will be on the same page; it'll be more organized."

The team is still missing five players who are two-sport athletes. Winter athletics could last as late as mid-March.

"It's hard for us because we have a lot of two-sport athletes, particularly winter athletes. We're trying out without five winter athletes, one of which is basketball, four of which are ice hockey," Hughes said.

"It's always a double-edged sword with winter athletes in the spring break situation — we'll have playoffs, yet the spring team is leaving for Florida," DelDotto said. "You want to go with your spring team to Florida, but you also want to be the best you can be in the winter sport."

"Once we get all the two-sport athletes and we're one whole team towards March, we have pretty high expectations for everybody," Van Parys said.

"It's going to be great whenever the two-sport athletes come in; it will add a whole new dynamic and hopefully bring a new intensity to practice," Hughes said. "We can finally work together as a team."

Another improvement over past seasons will be the team's first ever spring break trip. The team will fly down to West Palm Beach, Fla., to participate in the Spring Fling Tournament.

"We're going to play three games (against) Smith College, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, and SUNY New Paltz," Van Parys said. "It'll be a good trip; we'll be down there for about a week, play three games, get a lot of practice in, as well as do some team events and some other things together."

The team's first game will take place during spring break against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, a team from California. The trip is being paid for by team fundraising, along with some out-of-pocket funds on the players' parts.

The following week, the team hosts Green Mountain College in its home opener.

"If there's snow on the ground, then we figure out what we need to do, whether we need to reschedule games or find other sites," Van Parys said. "Being in Vermont, you have to hope for the best with the weather."

Van Parys said that in order to prepare for their opponents, they're "going to do our best to really scout some teams and check out where they're at, hopefully before we meet them."

Fitzpatrick said she wants "to do as well as we did last year and a lot better. I want to have a good season; I want to win GNACs (Greater Northeast Athletic Conference)!"

"I think if we figure this new structure out, that should just make us better," said Jill Balasco, 19, a sophomore criminal justice major from Barrington, R.I. "So if everyone picks it up and we keep practicing it, we should be a pretty good team."

"I expect us to be very good this year. I'm looking forward to it a lot," DelDotto said. "We have a great coaching staff and I'm extremely confident in our abilities."

"As coaches, we're hopeful we'll have success, not only on the field, but off the field. That also includes having good team chemistry and good academics," Hughes said.

"We are pretty confident. Once we get our structure, our defense and our offense, we think it's going to suit the team pretty well. We're hoping to come out at the top of our conference and really compete to go on further," Van Parys said.