Varsity A East (Preseason #1: Mercer Island)
November 1st, 2007
WSL's 2008 Washington Preview Section is sponsored by Breakaway Lacrosse.Breakaway Lacrosse is located at 10830 N.E. 2nd Pl., Bellevue, WA. 98004.
Mercer Island
Coach: Megan Elston
2007 Record: 11-3-1
Final 2007 Washington Ranking: 3
Three Players To Watch: Caroline Gallup (Attack), Sara Stern (Defense), Erin Gibson (Middie)
The Skinny: Coming off a state semifinal appearance in 2007, Mercer Island returns 10 starters and will almost certainly be a state-title contender in 2008.
The Islanders graduated just four seniors, and of those only two started.
"I've been telling my girls that, at this point, they know they can do it," second-year Mercer Island head coach Megan Elston said. "It's just a matter of getting it done. In my opinion, it's kind of in their hands."
Mercer Island will be led by senior attack Caroline Gallup, senior defender Sara Stern and senior middie Erin Gibson.
Elston described Gallup as an NCAA Division III prospect with quick hands. Gallup knows how to score goals and is not afraid to lead her team, Elston said.
Gallup will be joined by Stern, a solid defender who is a great transition player. Gibson has good fitness and reliable stick skills, Elston said. Also expected to contribute will be senior defender Karrie McKee and junior middie Caroline Mahony.
"We know we have the ability to be in the top four," Elston said. "We just need the mental attitude to make the next step to the finals. With the senior class we have this year, we should be a strong contender."
Predicted League Finish: 1st
Forest Ridge
Coach: Colette Spencer
2007 Record: 9-6
Final 2007 Washington Ranking: 5
Three Players To Watch: Jillian Chong (Middie), Maddy Philips (Middie), Nisa Orozco-McCormick (Attack)
The Skinny: Forest Ridge didn't quite live up to some lofty expectations last season after sneaking up on the league in 2006. However, with 10 returning starters coming back, including some top players, Forest Ridge should certainly be a team to watch this season.
Forest Ridge graduated just two seniors off its 2007 team.
"We want to carry on from where we were last year, but have a stronger start and finish," said Forest Ridge head coach Colette Spencer, who is entering her third season. "We were a little slow starting out last year, so this year we really want to step it up in the beginning."
Forest Ridge will be led by junior middie Jillian Chong, senior middie Maddy Philips and senior attack Nisa Orozco-McCormick.
Spencer described Chong as a great all-around player who is strong in transition and knows when and where to shoot. Philips is another solid all-around talent, who plays well on offense, defense and the middle of the field. Spencer said she and Orozco-McCormick each, "have a hunger for the ball."
Spencer called Orozco-McCormick a go-getter, who has a a great stick check and drive to the cage.
"We have eight or nine starting seniors, so we've got experience," Spencer said.
Predicted League Finish: 2nd
Roosevelt
Coach: Lorrie McKay
2007 Record: 7-8
Final 2007 Washington Ranking: 6
Players To Watch: Madeline Grose (Middie), Frannie Hemmelgarn (Middie)
The Skinny: The 2006 Varsity B state champions represented themselves well in their first year of Varsity A play last season.
There will be some changes this year at Roosevelt, where Lorrie McKay will step in to replace outgoing head coach Kristin Gavin. McKay inherits a team that is young and has a lot of returning talent.
Also, Roosevelt has switched conferences, having been moved from the super competitive West into the not quite as competitive East. That should result in a few more wins.
Roosevelt will be led by junior middies Madeline Grose and Frannie Hemmelgarn.
Grose is a dedicated player who is strong with her right and left hand. Hemmelgarn can score, feed and play defense. As a freshman, she led Roosevelt in points and ground balls.
Predicted League Finish: 3rd
Lake Sammamish
2007 Record: 10-5-1
Final 2007 Washington Ranking: 4
Three Players To Watch: Lea Reuss (Middie), Meagan Wehe (Middie-Defense), Grace Reid (Middie-Attack)
The Skinny: This will be a transition year at Lake Sammamish, which has some big shoes to fill with the loss of Catherine Rodriguez to the NCAA Division I program at Syracuse University. Lake Sammamish also will be without its coach this year, because Lena Hanson must take the year off because she is pregnant.
Lake Sammamish still has a lot of good players though, so they should be at least a middle-of-the-pack team.
"I expect to see Lake Sammamish lacrosse move from a team that tended to be dependent on a few players toward becoming more inter-dependent and working together, making for a stronger team across the field," Hanson said. "This group of girls has super-positive attitudes, and their hard work will keep them competitive at the top of the league."
Lake Sammamish will be led by senior middie Lea Reuss, senior middie-defender Meagan Wehe, senior middie-attack Grace Reid, senior middie Kaitlin Fithian, junior middie Kylie Neale and junior middie Kaitlin Carleton.
Hanson described Reuss as a dependable and solid all-around player who is creative and sees the field well. Wehe can play anywhere on the field; Reid is good in transition and has an accurate shot; Fithian is a team player; Neale has a hard shot, and Carleton is a strong one-on-one defender.
"These girls have known and been playing lacrosse with each other, for the most part, for many years," Hanson said. "They have a good sense of where they are as individuals and as a team. Additionally, although we lost some top players in our midfield, we have some very strong players to fill their spots. I believe our midfield is going to play a fast transition game and work very well together to get the ball up the field. We have a lot of speed moving up from our JV team, and a player returning from out of state, which will help our overall game."
Predicted League Finish: 4th
2007 Record: 10-5-1
Final 2007 Washington Ranking: 4
Three Players To Watch: Lea Reuss (Middie), Meagan Wehe (Middie-Defense), Grace Reid (Middie-Attack)
The Skinny: This will be a transition year at Lake Sammamish, which has some big shoes to fill with the loss of Catherine Rodriguez to the NCAA Division I program at Syracuse University. Lake Sammamish also will be without its coach this year, because Lena Hanson must take the year off because she is pregnant.
Lake Sammamish still has a lot of good players though, so they should be at least a middle-of-the-pack team.
"I expect to see Lake Sammamish lacrosse move from a team that tended to be dependent on a few players toward becoming more inter-dependent and working together, making for a stronger team across the field," Hanson said. "This group of girls has super-positive attitudes, and their hard work will keep them competitive at the top of the league."
Lake Sammamish will be led by senior middie Lea Reuss, senior middie-defender Meagan Wehe, senior middie-attack Grace Reid, senior middie Kaitlin Fithian, junior middie Kylie Neale and junior middie Kaitlin Carleton.
Hanson described Reuss as a dependable and solid all-around player who is creative and sees the field well. Wehe can play anywhere on the field; Reid is good in transition and has an accurate shot; Fithian is a team player; Neale has a hard shot, and Carleton is a strong one-on-one defender.
"These girls have known and been playing lacrosse with each other, for the most part, for many years," Hanson said. "They have a good sense of where they are as individuals and as a team. Additionally, although we lost some top players in our midfield, we have some very strong players to fill their spots. I believe our midfield is going to play a fast transition game and work very well together to get the ball up the field. We have a lot of speed moving up from our JV team, and a player returning from out of state, which will help our overall game."
Predicted League Finish: 4th
Seattle Prep
Coach: Gail Loveland
2007 Record: 5-9
Final 2007 Washington Ranking: 8
Three Players To Watch: Lauren Murray (Attack-Middie), Cassidy O'Neill (Attack), Sarah Babich (Defense)
The Skinny: Seattle Prep graduated five seniors and anticipates eight starters will be back for the 2008 season. And with so many players coming back, expectations for this team's success are growing rapidly.
"We plan to make the playoffs," Seattle Prep Coach Gail Loveland said. "We've got some really strong girls coming back."
Seattle Prep will be led by senior attack-middie Lauren Murray, senior attack Cassidy O'Neill and senior defender Sarah Babich.
Loveland described Murray as a versatile player with fast feet, a strong shot and good drive to the cage. O'Neill has an accurate shot, is a good leader and led the team in goals last season, Loveland said. Babich led the team in caused turnovers and ground balls.
"I think that we have the individual talent," Loveland said. "The key to our success will be us coming together as a team."
Predicted League Finish: 5th
Coach: Gail Loveland
2007 Record: 5-9
Final 2007 Washington Ranking: 8
Three Players To Watch: Lauren Murray (Attack-Middie), Cassidy O'Neill (Attack), Sarah Babich (Defense)
The Skinny: Seattle Prep graduated five seniors and anticipates eight starters will be back for the 2008 season. And with so many players coming back, expectations for this team's success are growing rapidly.
"We plan to make the playoffs," Seattle Prep Coach Gail Loveland said. "We've got some really strong girls coming back."
Seattle Prep will be led by senior attack-middie Lauren Murray, senior attack Cassidy O'Neill and senior defender Sarah Babich.
Loveland described Murray as a versatile player with fast feet, a strong shot and good drive to the cage. O'Neill has an accurate shot, is a good leader and led the team in goals last season, Loveland said. Babich led the team in caused turnovers and ground balls.
"I think that we have the individual talent," Loveland said. "The key to our success will be us coming together as a team."
Predicted League Finish: 5th
Lacrosse Season:
2008