Season Preview: Women's Lacrosse enters third season with high expectations
By Tim Glon
ADA — The Ohio Northern women's lacrosse team has high expectations entering the 2018 season.
Third-year head coach Beth Hemminger welcomes back nine starters and 12 letterwinners from last year's injury-plagued squad that went 3-13 overall and 2-6 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
The Polar Bears played games with as many as six starters sidelined by injury last year, but Hemminger believes the added experience for the younger players will pay off this season.
ONU will field an experienced and more talented team than in past years, providing a high level of optimism entering the 2018 campaign.
Here is a breakdown of the Ohio Northern women's lacrosse team, by position:
Attack
Three players with starting experience return up front, led by sophomore Betsy Naugle (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area), who scored 22 goals while starting all 16 games at attack in 2017.
Sophomore Maggie Fuller (Naples, Fla.) returns after a one-year absence when she scored 36 goals as a freshman in 2016.
Junior Alexis Cailor (Boardman) is a two-year regular on the attack and also returns in 2018.
Freshmen Sabra Woodruff (Beavercreek) and Sydney Skelding (Dublin, Calif.) could help up front this spring.
"We have matured offensively," Hemminger said. "I think we have become more comfortable playing with one another. The addition of Sabra and Sydney will allow our attack to be a more dynamic unit.
Midfield
Two starters return in the midfield as sophomores Jacqui Lohman (Liberty Township/Lakota East) and Elizabeth Carter (Lebanon) started 26 games between them as freshman last year and return as experienced sophomores this season.
Add sophomore Ann McArn (Bay Village/Western Reserve Academy), who's season got cut short last year, and Woodruff and Skelding to the mix and Hemminger has some talent and depth in the middle of the field to work with.
"We battled through injuries and youth last year," Hemminger said. "We were not confident enough in the midfield. But I think that experience has made this group mentally strong heading into this season. I think we will surprise people this year and I am excited about the potential of this group."
Defense
Hemminger thinks the defensive unit will be the strength of this year's team, led by junior All-Conference honoree Emily Hershberger (Jackson Township/Jackson) and senior Chelsea Cousins (Lewis Center/Olentangy).
Sophomore Hailey Green (South Lyon, Mich.) started all 16 games as a freshman a year ago and sophomore Rachel Shipman (Noblesville, Ind.) returns to the back line this season.
Shipman was forced up front last season due to injuries and led the team in scoring with 28 goals, which displayed her versatility and talent.
Incoming freshmen Hannah Cornelius (Worthington) and Megan O'Grodnik (Webster, N.Y./Schroeder) will also be factors on defense.
"Our defense will be solid again," Hemminger said. "We have four returners and we are strong and aggressive as a unit. Our defense got tired at times last year but that was more of us being thin up front. With more depth all around we expect our defense to be very solid."
Goalkeeper
All three goalies return for the Polar Bears in 2018, led by senior Shannen Larsen Van Alstine (Neenah, Wis.) and sophomore Kelli Hill (Worthington).
The pair split time in goal a year ago with Larsen Van Alstine starting all 16 games and Hill finishing 14 of them.
Sophomore Whitney Jones-Downs (Santee, Cal./Santana) also returns after seeing action in a pair of games as a freshman.
"We have good talent and depth in goal this season," Hemminger said. "Shannen and Kelli bring two extremely different playing styles to the table and are a good compliment to each other. Shannen has been a great leader this offseason and Kelli is a stable presence in goal."
Schedule
The Polar Bears open their 2018 season with a road game at Hiram and will open the home portion of their schedule on Feb. 24 when Trine (Ind.) comes to Dial-Roberson Stadium.
Northern will then play at Wooster on March 1 and will face Carthage (Wis.) and Sewanee (Tenn.) during spring break at Sewanee March 5 and 7.
ONU will return home for games with Cleary (Mich.) and Siena Heights (Mich.) on March 10 and 15 before wrapping up the non-conference schedule with a road game at Albion (Mich.) on March 21.
The Ohio Athletic Conference schedule will begin March 30 at Mount Union.
The Polar Bears will host Wilmington on April 4, Heidelberg on April 11, Baldwin Wallace on April 14 and Capital on April 28 in OAC play.
Other league road games are at Muskingum on April 7, John Carroll on April 21 and Otterbein on April 25.
The OAC Tournament will be May 2-5.