A team which returns four of its top five scorers in 1991 as well as a second-team All-American defender, Mary Washington College women's lacrosse seems poised to earn another postseason tournament berth. Last year's 9-5 contingent finished the season with two tough one-goal losses, the latter a 9-8 decision to Hartwick College in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Mid- Atlantic Region semifinals.

Senior leadership should key success, and the Eagles boast a dynamic duo in attackers Gina Del Sordo (Richmond, VA) and Courtney Leonard (Salem, MA). Del Sordo paced the Eagles with 40 goals, while Leonard added 22 last season. Blair Bones (So./Richmond, VA) added 10 goals and a team-high 10 assists. Ellen Truskowski (So./Beechwood, NJ), who possesses a powerful shot from the first and second home positions, should team with "connector" Sarah Perri (Jr./Joppa, MD; 10 goals in 1990) and speedy attack wings Lisa Peterson (Jr./Midlothian, VA) and Cara Biega (Fr./Glastonbury, CT) to further bolster the Eagle offense. Versatile Courtney Bell (Fr./Telford, PA) can shoot and stickhandle with either hand from the "home" position.

While MWC may boast a potent attack, it will likely be the Eagle defense which ultimately determines success. Senior Liz Wheeler (Burke, VA) -- a second- team All-American in 1990 anchors the Eagle back line. Junior Karen Richardson (Annapolis, MD), like Wheeler and Leonard an All-Region player in 1990, is also a defensive stalwart. Veterans Diane DeFalco (Sr./Springfield, VA), Joanna Raterman (Jr./West Hartford, CT) and Vikki Lenhart (Sr./Chase City, VA) are also stabilizing forces who look to protect goaltender Ashley Young (So./Newport News, VA), an excellent athlete with quick hands and feet.

"Depth is definitely one of our strongpoints," said Soper, who noted that all 22 of her players have had at least four years of lacrosse experience.

"We have a strong nucleus of veterans, some talented freshmen, and some unfulfilled goals, namely an NCAA Tournament berth. We should make a strong run for NCAA or ECAC Tournament play, because we will be a well-conditioned team which will play 100 percent throughout the game."

A competitive 13-game schedule should help MWC prepare in its bid for a post-season tournament. Johns Hopkins, Lynchburg and Hartwick are just a few of the strong Division III opponents on the MWC slate, which opens March 20 at home against St. Mary's (4 p.m.).