Feb. 13, 2007

By their nature, transitions in every facet of life tend to be uneven.

Typically, there are both peaks and valleys.

In 2006, Villanova women's lacrosse endured both as they began a fresh chapter in the history of the program. The Wildcats adapted to a new head coach (Jebb Chagan) and an offensive system quite unlike what had been in place a year earlier, along with a host of new players.

Yet by season's end, there were hints of a promising future. Those signs grew more apparent during a productive fall season. And now, as he prepares to begin his second season as the head coach, Chagan looks forward to further signs of maturation for his young program.

"We faced some challenges," says Chagan, "and learned from them. In the ball sharing offense we implemented, a lot of players touch the ball. That can lead to mistakes, especially as you are learning the system. But as the season went on the young ladies became more comfortable and confident in their decisions. And that carried over into the fall.

"The technical piece is in place. We have added some exciting young players to a group of upperclassmen who have really accepted the responsibility of leadership. We have a close-knit group that works well together. I am excited about the progress we are making."

The Wildcats will blend some experienced veterans with a wave of gifted sophomores and freshmen. It's a group that is eager to help the Wildcats turn the corner on the path to success.

"The players have really bought in to what we are trying to do," says Chagan.

One feature of Chagan's offensive system is balance. Seven Wildcats scored 16 or more goals in 2006 and the coaching staff, which also includes assistant coach Kate Henwood, believes there are a wide range of candidates on the roster who can bring offensive firepower to the field.

One of the headliners on attack figures to be senior Christina Bahrs. The native of Oceanport, N.J., made 15 starts last season and finished with 19 goals and four assists. She generated 47 shots and looms as a significant scoring threat.

Another important ingredient on the attack is junior Stevie McFadden, who will off be the quarterback of the attack. A year ago she contributed 16 goals and four assists and the coaching staff is optimistic about her ability to work in tandem with Bahrs around the opponent's net.

"Both Christina and Stevie have worked extremely hard, especially on improving their left and right hands," states Chagan. "Both are kids who have had success here and work well together on the field."

Those two, however, will not be asked to shoulder the scoring load alone. In Chagan's system a priority is placed on developing groups of athletes capable of applying pressure to the defense. There are other skilled athletes in place who hope to complement Bahrs and McFadden.

One such individual is sophomore Taylor Lucy. In her 2006 debut, Lucy displayed an assortment of offensive tools and ended the year with 16 goals and one assist. With a year of experience in her memory bank, it is expected that the native of Ocean View, Del., can make a significant impact in the goal scoring column.

"Taylor really came on as a freshman and she followed that with a strong fall," noted Chagan. "She has a lot to offer our team and we look for her to be a major part of what we do on the attack."

Another sophomore, Katie Stone, brings a unique dimension to the attack. She is a natural lefthander, which can be an advantage in keeping the opposing goalie off balance. Stone made six starts last season and netted a pair of goals. The coaching staff believes she can be a significant contributor up front as well.

"Katie has a knack for putting the ball into the net," states Chagan. "We look for her to help us with that this year."

Freshman Meg Wallace will look to carve a niche for herself on the attack as well. She brings great quickness and often will help set the attack from behind the cage.

"One of Meg's best attributes on the field is her quickness," notes Chagan. "She is very coachable and hardworking and those traits will serve her well."

Kyler O'Shea is also a freshman who will vie to see action on the attack.

"We have been impressed with how advanced technically Kyler is," says Chagan. "She comes from a real lacrosse family and is blessed with height. She finishes very well and we look forward to watching her develop."

The midfield also offers an assortment of skill which the coaching staff will rely on. A trio of sophomores, all of whom gained valuable experience a year ago, is back and ready to set the tone for the Wildcats in this area.

Shannon Sullivan appeared in 16 games and made three starts. She contributed six goals on the season.

"She really attacks the goal well from inside the eight meter," notes Chagan.

White Plains, N.Y., product Taylor "Gracce" McKenna made seven starts in her 17 appearances and chipped in with two goals, an assist and 21 ground balls.

"Grace was a key contributor for us last year and now, as a sophomore, she'll be counted upon to do more this season," Chagan states. "For a young player, she reads the game very well."

Taryn McKenna,, of Dix Hills, N.Y., appeared in 16 games and delivered three goals and an assist.

"Taryn might be the most athletically gifted player we have on the team," says Chagan. "She really has the ability to become an impact player here."

It is especially helpful that the trio complements one another on the field.

"I think all three have really gotten the knack for our system," says Chagan. "All of them are much more comfortable now than they were a year ago. As a freshman, so much is thrown at you that you sometimes have to think before you act. Now they are all at a point where it comes naturally to them.

"Each one of these players is a tremendous athlete and they work very well together. They will be part of the foundation of what we do in the midfield."

Another important element of the midfield is junior Amanda Carlson. Injuries limited the junior to 14 games last season and hampered her ability to practice. She still contributed three goals and an assist to the cause.

"It's unfortunate because the injuries really set Amanda back last season," Chagan says. "This is a very talented player who can really help us. Her health will probably dictate how large a role she will be able to play."

Newcomers will play a substantial role in the midfield too. Included in that contingent are sophomore Meredith Kolmer and freshmen Erica Rybinski, Sam McKillip Alyssa Mahoney and Britany Flem.

Kolmer comes to Villanova after a season at George Mason.

"Meredith has been a wonderful addition to our team," states Chagan. "She played in a great high school program at Conestoga High School and is a very good player. Technically, she is one of the strongest players we have on the team and we are looking for her to make an impact immediately."

Rybinski is another newcomer who played at a very high level in high school in the Syracuse area.

"Erica is so advanced technically for a freshman," says Chagan. "She also played in a powerful high school program that is always competing for state championships in New York. One of the best qualities she brings is that she is a gym rat - she loves to be on that field."

Speed is an element that every coach craves and that is a trait that distinguishes McKillip, who played in high school alongside current freshman O'Shea.

"Sam is blessed with terrific speed," Chagan states. "She works hard and sees the field very well. We were very impressed with how she played for us in the fall."

Mahoney is a walk-on who also raised eyebrows with her work in the fall.

"I would have to characterize Alyssa as a pleasant surprise," explains Chagan. "She has moved into the mix for playing time."

Flem is a recruited walk-on who caught the attention of the coaching staff.

"Britany has proven to be a very hardworking young lady," says Chagan. "We expect her to fight for playing time."

The defensive core will be led by senior Marissa Lucy. A returning starter, Lucy is the kind of reliable veteran every coaching staff covets. She started 16 times in 17 appearances last season and will be a defensive cornerstone in 2007.

"The leadership Marissa provides to our younger players is so important to us," states Chagan. "She is a very bright young lady and really understands what we are trying to do. She's an extremely hard worker and is going to be a big key to our season."

Two other experienced players will be vital to the defense as well. Juniors Nikki Bell and Laura Garrett helped set the tone in front of the net.

"They both contribute leadership and are very athletic," Chagan says. "Each one of them has the kind of feel for the game you can't teach. Without their leadership, we wouldn't be able to use the matchup zone we like to utilize on defense."

A trio of underclassmen will play a role here too.

Justine Feinman walked on to the roster in the fall of 2005 and has steadily improved.

"We weren't sure how we were going to use Justine at first," Chagan says. "But she worked her way into the mix for playing time. She's been very consistent."

Danielle Patterson hails from another potent prep lacrosse powerhouse, the Oak Knoll School. It is expected she will see substantial action.

"Danielle brings good size and is tremendously athletic," Chagan states. "She has extremely quick feet and sees the field well."

Another candidate on defense is freshman Whit Ahern.

"We will probably use Whit in several spots," says Chagan. "She is probably the least experienced player we have - she didn't take up the sport until later in her high school career. But she is a terrific athlete and has a very big upside. By the time she is an upperclassmen, she could be an outstanding player at the Division I level."

Three women will vie to handle the goaltending for the Wildcats.

Senior Jess Brozena is a three-year starter and the most experienced of the group. She logged 851:27 minutes in net last season, with a 13.46 goals against average and .428 save percentage.

"This is my third year working with Jess and she has made great strides," says Chagan, who was a Villanova assistant coach in 2005 before assuming the top job in 2006. "She has worked really hard on the technical aspect of her game and her footwork is much improved. She is also very good on clears."

In 2006 junior Lauren Latchford appeared in six games and sported an 8.92 goals against average.

"Lauren is an extremely dedicated player who had a solid fall for us," states Chagan. "She has started a number of games for us in the last two years and done a nice job."

The newcomer in net is freshman Cassie Eure.

"One of the advantages Cassie has is that she is blessed with good size at 5-11," says Chagan. "She has good quickness as well. There is no doubt she has the ability to challenge the upperclassmen for playing time this year."

The coaching staff also likes the dynamic that has developed among the three goalies.

"They have a very good relationship," he says. "It's a close bunch that works well together."

The schedule offers an assortment of new challenges after Villanova and the Patriot League parted ways.

"We will face some great local competition and some schools we aren't very familiar with," notes Chagan. "But it offers us a nice mix of games that will give us a great read on the kind of progress we are making."

Villanova would, of course, like to add to its win total of three from 2006. More important, however, is the big picture and Chagan is convinced there are good days ahead, in 2007 and beyond.

"I know we are headed in the right direction," says Chagan. "We have a group of young people who are very committed to working together to improve. We all want to get as many W's as we can but the more important thing right now is that we have our system in place and are getting better each day.

"I'm looking for us to carry the technical improvements we have made in the fall and in practice into competition this spring. These young women are outstanding individuals both on and off the field. My hope is that they see the great qualities that I do in them in themselves. I'm really excited about the possibilities I see for this group."