As the 2000 season approached, the women’s lacrosse team at Mary Washington College suspected that it may have one of the top teams in the nation among NCAA Division III schools. Coming off an 11-3 season, in which they were ranked as high as ninth in the nation, the Eagles looked for even more success, with the loss of just three seniors in 1999. After recording a school best 15-3 record and advancing all the way to the NCAA Division III Tournament Quarterfinals, Dana Hall's Eagles knew they were among the nation's elite. With wins against nationally ranked opponents such as Gettysburg College, Roanoke College, Washington & Lee University, Randolph-Macon College, Rowan University, and Salisbury State University, MWC not only played one of the toughest schedules in the nation but thrived in playing it. The Eagles produced four All-Americas in destroying school records for victories, winning percentage, and scoring, while finishing with a best-ever final national ranking of fifth.
Leading the way offensively was consensus first team All-America attack Bridget Geiman, who became just the second player in school history to score sixty goals in a season. Geiman added a career-high 26 assists to pace the Eagles with 86 points. She saved her best for the big games, as the 5-4 junior scored 18 goals in four games against three of the four 2000 Final Four teams. Fellow rising senior Jenni Foy also garnered All-America honors from U.S. Lacrosse, as she finished second on the squad with 68 points (31 goals, school-record 37 assists). Foy needs just one assist turnover into a tie for first place in school history in assists, as she has dished out 82 assists in three seasons.
Midfielder Diane Grimm, one of just two seniors lost to graduation, had a-remarkable senior season, scoring 42 goals and earning second team All-America honors from both U.S. Lacrosse and IWLCA. A master of raking draws, Grimm tied a career high with seven goals against Catholic University this season. Mary Washington’s fourth All-America, and one of three returning for 2001, is IWLCA first team selection defender Kate Weller. Weller paced MWC with 71 ground ball and 46 caused turnovers, all while defending against some of the top scorers in the nation.
The Eagles of 2000 opened the season in typical strong fashion, racing to a 9-0 start while going undefeated in the month of March. for the second straight year. The Eagles opened the campaign with a 16-10 win over fellow NCAA Quarterfinalist Gettysburg College. After a 14-1 win over Kenyon College at St. Petersburg, Florida, MWC topped nationally-ranked Roanoke College, 17-4, at the Battleground. The Eagles closed their undefeated run by winning road games at Lynchburg, Catholic, Washington & Lee, and Villa Julie, as well as a home win against CAC foe Goucher College.
After dropping a 20-12 game to eventual national champion College of New Jersey (scoring more goals against the Lions than any other school), the Eagles reeled off six more victories, including three against ranked teams in a five-day span (Randolph-Macon, Rowan, and Salisbury State). After a 12-10 loss to Salisbury in the CAC Championship game, the Eagles received word that they were invited to the NCAA Tournament for the first time. The Eagles defeated Randolph-Macon, 16-12, in their first-ever tournament game, but then fell in the national quarterfinals to eventual national runner-up Williams College.
The prospects for the 2001 season are very high, despite the two talented seniors lost to graduation. In addition to the three All-Americas returning, MWC welcomes back All-CAC performers Heather Carter and Kami McNinch. Carter, who graduated in May, still has a season of eligibility, and may return to pursue a second degree. McNinch was a top member of last year's freshman class, claiming CAC Rookie of the Year honors after scoring 16 goals and adding nine assists.
Other top returnees include attacks Karen Slotsky (15 goals, 23 assists), Pam Kramer (20 goals, 5 assists); midfielders Briana Gervat (22 goals, 8 assists), Allyson Bristor, Giselle Guarino and Diana Tisinger (10 goals each); and defenders Kelli Brittain, Beth Curran and Beth Schminke. With a recruiting class that includes six players that contended for state championships in high school and a top-rate returning group, Mary Washington will focus on winning the CAC Championship and securing its second NCAA bid in as many years.