Women's LAX optimistic

The Norwich women's lacrosse team has high hopes for the upcoming 2010 season, having only graduated three seniors after last season, according to www.norwichathletics.com

"I'm pretty optimistic about it," said Danielle DelDotto, 19, a sophomore athletic training major from North Andover, Mass. "I think we'll be pretty good."

 "I think we should do pretty well because we didn't lose that many people and our new coaches seem pretty knowledgeable," said Mollie Fitzpatrick, 19, a sophomore nursing major from Falmouth, Maine.

After four seasons as the women's soccer and lacrosse coach, Tyler Renaud resigned last spring. In to replace him this year is Coach Beth Van Parys.

The team is now playing fall ball, when they practice two hours a day two to four days a week.

"The coaches go over the basics [during fall ball]. We're changing our defense this year so we're working on that a lot and trying to get people used to it for the scrimmage and for the spring," said Jillian Balasco, 19, a sophomore criminal justice and Spanish major from Barrington, R.I.

"They're much different; they're more structured," Balasco said about the fall ball practices. "Last year the goal wasn't to get ready during fall ball, and these coaches want us to win that game."

The lacrosse team has a scrimmage each fall. This year they played Saint Michael's College on Oct. 18.

"Last year we only had about three or four practices in the fall, but this year we're actually doing plays and conditioning," said Meagan Kennedy, 19, a sophomore political science major from Lowell, Mass., "I think it's more similar to what the spring should be like."

"We worked well together on the field last year," said Suzanne Whitaker, 19, a sophomore communications major from Chelmsford, Mass., "but I feel like we'll be even better this year."

"We're planning a spring break trip. We're planning to go to Florida for a week and I think that will help bring us all together," Kennedy said. The team will have practices and participate in a tournament.

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)! It should all just add up and turn out pretty well as long as we work hard."