Coming off a rather disappointing season in 2005, the University of Mary Washington women’s lacrosse team looked to regain its foothold as one of the top programs in the region. After a 14-6 season that saw the Eagles play one of the most difficult schedules in the nation, UMW returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years, and returned to the excellence that has become the norm at the program in the new century.
The Eagles, led by five seniors, began the season with a 19-4 win over Sweet Briar College, before falling to eventual NCAA runner-up Gettysburg in the home opener. UMW went on to win its next three games, including ten-goal wins over St. John Fisher and Ithaca in Florida over Spring Break. UMW closed the streak with a big 16-7 win over Goucher College in conference action.
The Eagles started another three-game streak, with all three coming in CAC action. A 7-6 win over Catholic propelled UMW to a 23-11 win over York College, and a 17-4 win over Marymount. The Eagles then nearly pulled off a victory at the College of New Jersey, as they led, 6-3, into the second half. Coach Hall’s Eagles then reeled off a season-high five game win streak, including road wins at Christopher Newport University and at #13-ranked St. Mary’s College, and home wins over Greensboro College, Guilford College, and Virginia Wesleyan College.
The Eagles then dropped a 10-7 decision to third-ranked Salisbury University, with the final margin of three being the largest margin of the game. The Eagles would get another crack at the Sea Gulls, however, as they breezed past Marymount and St. Mary’s in the CAC Tournament to visit Salisbury in the finals. Despite a 9-6 loss, the Eagles again found themselves in a very competitive matchup against one of the top programs in the nation.
UMW saw its season come to an end in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, with a 10-8 loss at Messiah College after over a two-week layoff. Heading the list of returnees for the 2007 season include senior midfielder Meaghan O’Leary, who scored 25 goals and registered a school-record 42 assists in 2006. Classmate All-American Kaitlyn Barker returns as the Eagles’ leading scorer, as she netted 65 goals and 16 assists a year ago. The balanced Eagle attack also returns scoring threats Caitlin Erickson (30 goals, 13 assists), Margaret Murray (28 goals) and Sarah Finney (24 goals). The midfield returns intact for 2007, led by O’Leary, Annie Wisloski (36 ground balls, 26 caused turnovers), and Murray.
Rising senior defender Stephanie Hearn (seven goals, four assists, 55 ground balls, 31 caused turnovers) will look to lead a defense that lost starters Liz Russell and Caitlin O’Leary to graduation. Finney, whose all-around game led to all-region honors in 2006, posted team highs with 78 ground balls and 75 caused turnovers. Kate Lyons jumped into a starting role in 2006, and will again be counted on in 2007 to man the crease. Junior goalkeeper Meredith Deitrick (7.05 GAA, .538 save %) ranked among the top ten goalies nationally in goals against average last season, and sophomore Helena Polites will compete for minutes in the nets as well.