Women’s lax seeks revenge against BSU
After falling in the New England Women’s Lacrosse Alliance final last year to Bridgewater State University, the women’s lacrosse team is ready for vengeance with the help from some new blood and more experience from the returners.The Spartans were picked second in the pre-season poll receiving one first place vote and 53 points placing them right behind the Bridgewater State, who was picked number one. The Spartans return seven starters including 2009 Offensive Player of the Year Marie VanDerKar.
VanDerKar is a senior this season and says this year’s squad is the most solid team across the board that they’ve had.
“We have a lot of talent left from last year and we’ve gotten a few really talented freshmen as well that fit right into the team nicely,” she said. “This definitely feels like the strongest overall team we’ve had.”
VanDerKar said that this season the team is at a whole other level and is already light years away from where they were at this point in the season last year.
“We are covering things in practice now, before games have even started, that we didn’t get around to until halfway through the season last year,” she said.
VanDerKar said the team has been working hard in the offseason and in preseason workouts in order to be in the best possible shape they can be in to start the season.
“We’re just excited to finally really get outside on our turf and get our season started,” she said. “We are more than ready to do everything we have to do to come out with the championship this year.”
The Spartans open their season this Saturday, March 12 with a home game against Western Connecticut State University at 1 P.M.
Castleton will travel to Bridewater State on Saturday, April 9 to play the Bears in a conference matchup at 2 pm.
This contest may serve as a barometer against the Bears for when they will most likely meet up against each other in the NEWLA Finals. Last season, the Spartans defeated Bridgewater State, 17-14, in the regular season before falling to the Bears, 21-9, in the NEWLA championship game.