After a highly successful debut season in which her Eagles went 10-5 and advanced to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Mid-Atlantic Region championship game, second-year head coach Dana Soper sets her sights higher in 1992. Having led Mary Washington to regional prominence, Soper believes her Eagles can soar to the next level.
Optimism stems from a strong corps of returnees, led by several players who achieved individual postseason honors. Senior Lisa Peterson (Midlothian, VA) paced MWC goal scorers in 1991 with 37 and was named to the U.S. Women's Lacrosse Association Fifth Select Team, as was defense wing Vikki.Lenhart (Sr./Chase City, VA). Cara Biega (So./Glastonbury, C1) was named to the sixth team, and scored 14 goals as a freshman. Joining Peterson up front will be attack wing Sarah Perri (Sr./Joppa, MD), a clutch scorer who dished out a team high seven assists in addition to her seven goals. Jen Hawkins (Jr./Crofton, MD; four goals in 1991) and newcomer Cheryl Cole (Fr./ Kennett Square, PA) will battle for attack wing slots as well.
The "home" positions will be anchored by powerful Ellen Truskowski. Jr./Beechwood, NJ), who tallied 19 goals to finish second among Eagle scorers last season and Kim Pandolfi (So./Georgetown, MD). A defense which held opponents to six goals or less in seven games last season will rely on veterans Lenhart, Karen Richardson (Sr./ Annapolis, MD), Carey Sheatsley (So./Richmond, VA), Stephanie Smith (Sr./New Brunswick, NJ), Lisa Van Guilder Jr./ Newport News, VA) and Amy Jones (So./Charlottesville, VA). They'll be asked to protect freshman goaltender Flavia Jimenez (Fr./Potomac, MD). Last season's netminder, steady junior Ashley Young (Newport News, VA), will be playing one of the "field positions" in '92.
"We certainly have talent and experience with this group," said Soper. "If the players execute and play consistently, we will be a team to contend with." A highly competitive schedule opens March 5 at Division II Longwood College. Included among the Eagles' eight home games is a date with Hartwick College Mar. 26. MWC downed the Warriors, 12-11 in overtime in the ECAC Tournament semifinals in 1991.