This spring, Mary Washington College's women's lacrosse team is looking forward to improving on last year's 4-5 record, and with a large number of veteran players returning from 1983's squad, that improvement is a realistic goal for 1984.

First year Coach Beth Reichel is relying on a prominent statistic for success. The top five scorers are back from last year, and four of those five are seniors. Trish Long (McLean, VA), with18goals last season, leads the senior squad, followed closely by Dede McGuiness (Longmeadow, MA), 16, Cathy Collier (Setauket, NY), 14, and Melanie Taylor (Arlington, VA), 8. Mary Buckley (Hampton Bays, NY), with 13 goals, is the one junior rounding out the attacking set. Freshman and high school AlI- American Pam Heller (Richmond, VA) is also expected to figure in the Blue Tide's scoring punch.

. "I am very pleased with the fact that the scoring duties were so balanced. This will keep us from having to depend upon one person to do the job this spring," Reichel said.

The defense is led by junior goalkeeper Allison Cornell (Midlothian, VA). Allison, who also plays goalkeeper for the MWC field hockey team, has a 12.8 saves/game average and 97 goals allowed season record, both the best in MWC record books. She is teamed with defensive field players Gayle Schmith (Cockeysville, MD), Lisa Lee- per (Bruington, VA), and Linda Lemanski (Bethel Park, PAl for a solid backfield unit. New freshmen Ellen Hen- derson (Arlington, VA), Peggy O'Neill (Stony Brook, NY), Mary Rooney (Bedford, NY), and Audrey Harvey (Newport News, VA) all look ready to help with the defense this spring.

Early in preseason practice, "The players are excited to begin already," Reichel explained. "We have many first-year players learning the game from the start, who are going to be counted on for depth. Their enthusiasm combined with a strong conditioning program starting during the winter should be the key to accomplishing the goals we have set for the upcoming season. Hard work and time will tell the outcome."

The Mary Washington College lacrosse schedule begins with preseason practice as the spring semester opens in late January and extends through the national tournaments in May. The Blue Tide team meets approximately 15 opponents annually, hosting contests on their home field and traveling throughout Virginia, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C. area. The home field has seating for 400 and is located in the midst of the Battleground Complex, MWC's outdoor athletic facility.

In addition to regular season matches, the 1984 schedule includes two tournament dates. Mary Washington travels to the Sanford School in Seaford, DE for a 32-team tourney in late March and to William and Mary in mid-April.