This year’s class of seniors will provide strong leadership all over the field. All-conference performer Ashley White comes off a record-breaking 84-point season (54 assists, 30 goals) and will direct plays on the attack with classmate and fellow assist leader, Laura Hambruch. Dual attacker/midfielder Stephanie Lazzaro adds her speed and experience to the Griffins’ transition game while sophomore scoring threat, Morgan Cain will look to improve on last year’s 35 goal performance. Returner, Shanna Beichner and freshman, Liz Otwell also have the skills to put numbers on the board.

The Griffins return another all-conference performer in sophomore midfielder, Rachel Hilbert, who re-wrote the Griffin record books in 2010 with 65 ground balls, 45 draw controls, and 47 caused turnovers. She’s joined by junior leader Amanda Malkowski—fresh off a 36 goal, 52 ground ball performance of her own—sophomore returner Kinsey McKenrick who comes off a stellar field hockey season, and freshman Emma Simmers, whose speed and stick skills will have an impact on both ends of the field.

The defense will be anchored by four-year veteran Katie Crow, who sits high on the Griffins’ career record tables for ground balls (97), draw controls (55), and caused turnovers (29). Junior Amanda Lee will help direct traffic around the cage with her vocal presence, while senior Kirsten Patrick returns as a steady presence and solid face-guarder. Sophomores Kate Linkosky and Alec Gulli bring aggression and competitive fire to the Griffins’ defensive end, while fellow returners Kelsey Pierson and Elizabeth Snowmen add strong options down low. Freshmen Abby Shaughness and Caitlin Henry enter with solid skills that will be put to good use.

Junior Nadine Wallace returns for her third season in the cage. A vocal leader who has dedicated herself to improving her skills since joining the team, Wallace serves as the Griffins’ backbone. She’ll look to direct plays in and out of the crease and set the game’s pace. Wallace is joined by freshman Brittney Anderson, a find from Texas who brings her speed and quickness to the goal circle.

The Griffins’ season begins on March 2nd, with an away opener against PSAC leader, Bloomsburg. Following, the squad departs for Florida and games against Savannah College of Art and Design and DIII teams at the National Training Center. Home action begins on March 21st with a contest against Mercyhurst.

2011 will mark another challenging year for the Griffins. The team will match up against last season’s top seeds and will have re-matches of several close losses from 2010 including perennial top-ten teams and ECC conference rivals C.W. Post, Dowling, and Molloy. In their continuing quest to improve their NCAA standing and make a name for the program in Division II, the girls look forward to the challenges ahead. 2011 will undoubtedly be an exciting season for players and fans!