At the outset of the 2009 season, University of Mary Washington women’s lacrosse head coach Dana Hall knew the year would be a learning experience, as the Eagles were coming off a season in 2008 which saw the graduation of the school’s all-time leading scorer in Caitlin Erickson and all-region defender Sarah Finney. With just three seniors on the roster and six freshmen in the starting lineup, the Eagles exceeded all expectations in finishing the year with a 14-8 record and advancing to the NCAA Tournament second round.
The young squad opened the season with 10-plus goal wins at Guilford College and Marymount University, and then fell to sixth-ranked Gettysburg College on the road in their first of seven games against nationally-ranked opponents. After splitting a pair of contests against Oneonta State University and Roanoke College in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, returned to top Wesley College in conference play, 19-2, before a contest with large NCAA ramifications against eighth-ranked Washington & Lee University.
The Eagles topped the Generals, 10-9, to improve their record to 5-2 and jump into the national rankings at #18 in the national coaches’ poll. After topping Randolph-Macon College, 16-4, the team fell at Dickinson College. From there, the Eagles shut out Hood College, 19-0, before falling to #17 St. Mary’s College in CAC play, 14-11, at a rainy Battleground.
A 17-8 win at Stevenson University preceded a 21-9 loss to #10 Catholic University, and from there, the Eagles won three straight contests, over York College, Christopher Newport University, and a thrilling 12-11 win over Virginia Wesleyan College, in which the Eagles scored four goals in the final 3:44 for the one-goal victory. Mary Washington closed the regular season with a defeat at top-ranked Salisbury University.
UMW began its road to the NCAA Tournament in the CAC Tournament against York College, and an 18-5 victory. The Eagles then gained a bit of revenge at #19 St. Mary’s College with a 23-17 victory in the CAC semifinals. The Eagles dropped a 16-8 decision at Salisbury in the CAC Championship, and awaited word on a possible at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament.
On selection Sunday, the Eagles’ name was called, and the team travelled to Newport News, Va., for a first round game and rematch against Christopher Newport University. After a two hour and 22 minute delay for weather, the Eagles topped the Captains, 13-9, to move on to the regional round in Salisbury, where they’d face 11th ranked Catholic University, who topped the Eagles, 21-9, at the Battleground in mid-April. This time, UMW kept the game close throughout, trailing by just three with 10 minutes remaining before falling, 19-14, and closing a successful campaign.
Offensively, the Eagles’ youth movement shined brilliantly, as freshman Catherine Kennedy led the team in scoring with 77 goals and 12 assists and gained second team IWLCA All-America as well as CAC Rookie of the Year honors. Classmate Allie Kimmelman joined Kennedy as a third team All-American and also on the All-CAC first team after posting 43 goals and 43 assists. Senior defender Emily Gallugi (59 ground balls, 37 caused turnovers) also gained first team all-conference kudos.
Sophomore attacker Katie Wallis finished third on the team with 78 points (58 goals, 20 assists), and took second team all-league honors, joining freshman midfielder Jenny Atmar (68 draw controls, 59 ground balls, 47 caused turnovers).