Feb. 21, 2005

VILLANOVA, Pa.--The 2005 regular season represents a number of things to the Villanova Wildcats. It is in some ways, opportunity, a fresh start, and a shot at redemption all rolled into one.

"It was a tough year for us, no question," states head coach Shannon O'Neil as she prepares to begin her fifth season at the helm of the program she starred for from 1993-97.

"Things didn't go as we had hoped. We lost some close games early and that probably affected our confidence.

"But we came through it intact. We had a great fall. Our freshman class has brought a lot of intensity with it and our upperclassmen are really eager for redemption."

It will be a transition year in some respects. The Wildcats have nine newcomers, many of whom figure to see significant action. It is a unit that leans heavily on underclassmen.

Yet it is a group that O'Neil is quite pleased with heading into the season.

"Our older kids have come in with the attirude that they have something to prove," O'Neil says. "I think it will serve as motivation for them.

"The younger players have all played in very successful high school programs. They are accustommed to winning and that's a great ingredient to add."

In many respects, senior Amy Rocap is a fitting symbol of the Wildcats. A gifted scorer with speed, she has been vexed through her first three seasons by knee injuries. Last season Rocap played in 15 of 17 games and led the Wildcats in scoring with 28 points (24 goals, four assists).

"When Amy is healthy it makes a huge difference for us," says O'Neil. "She has played through a lot of injuries during her time here and it's been hard on her.

"But at this point she looks as healthy as she ever has here. She's worked very hard on her conditioning and gives us a versatile scorer."

Another senior with experience is Bess Hanley. Last season, she started all 17 games, mostly in the midfield, and contributed 12 goals and an assist.

"Bess is one of those who is back with a vengeance," O'Neil observes. "She is putting a lot of energy into her work. We're not really sure where we're going to put her, because she can play all over the field."

"It's an adjustment for our upperclassmen, because we are changing our defensive system," notes O'Neil. "They have handled it well.

"Steph can run the field and she has great stick skills for a defender."

Kristen Cornicello rounds out the senior class. She saw action in 14 games in 2004, with eight starts and 12 groundballs on defense.

"Kristen works hard and has played well in the preseason," says O'Neil. One of Villanova's key players leads the junior class. Cindy Koza scored eight goals and added five assists from her midfield slot last season and figures to have a major impact again on the Wildcats.

"I really am excited about Cindy," states O'Neil. "She came back in great shape so that she can run the midfield for us. Cindy helps at both ends of the field. We get a lot of energy from Cindy and she'll be great for us."

Another experienced asset in the junior class is Palley Jackson. The native of South Salem, N.Y., appeared in nine games last season.

"The thing about Palley is that she is almost a newcomer for us," says O'Neil. "She could see a lot of playing time for us this year. She is very aggressive and has really worked on her stick skills in the off-season."

The Wildcats can also lean on junior Kristen Morea in the midfield. Morea made five starts last season and provided seven goals and two assists in 17 games.

"Kristen is one of those experienced people we have in the midfield," O'Neil states. "I look for her to help run the midfield."

There are several Wildcats who will shift positions in 2005. Hanley is one and sophomore Jamie Schneider is another. Schneider spent time in the midfield last season, starting 12 times and contributing two goals and nine assists.

This year Schneider brings her skills to the attack position.

"Attack is really Jamie's true position," explains O'Neil. "That's where she should have been playing all along. But we needed her to help us in the midfield last year and she did that. We have more depth in the midfield, though, now and that will allow us to put Jamie up front.

"This move should help us. Jamie looks very comfortable on attack and we believe she has the ability to generate a lot of goals for us."

O'Neil believes sophomore Whitney Boulton is ready to take a step forward as well. Boulton saw limited duty in 2004 but that will change this spring.

"She is doing all the right things defensively," says O'Neil. "Whitney is in position, she is checking well and understands what we want to do. Her conditioning is excellent this year and we will have her in the mix on defense."

During the off-season O'Neil has watched sophomore Amy Babington make strides in her game. Last season, the native of Deerfield, Ill., appeared in 14 games as a midfielder.

"We had a number of our players who worked extremely hard in the off-season and Amy is one of them," states O'Neil. "Her stick skills are better than they have ever been.

"We're fortunate in that Amy is very versatile. We can use her anywhere on the field but I would expect her to see most of her time in the defensive midfield."

Marissa Lucy is a sophomore who saw action in seven games as a freshman in 2004. In 2005, she will vie for more playing time on defense.

"Marissa understands where we want our defense and her positioning is always good," O'Neil says. "We'll use her down low."

Last season, sophomore Jess Brozena played every one of the 1,020 minutes the Wildcats logged in net. She returns as a seasoned sophomore and the likely starter in net again in 2005.

"One of the things we've really worked with Jess is on her footwork," states O'Neil. "She has made strides with that. She's playing with confidence and is very focused."

Sophomore Christina Bahrs also hopes to make a significant step forward in 2005. Bahrs appeared in nine games as a rookie and scored two goals. "Christina has looked fantastic in the pre-season," O'Neil states. "She has raised her intensity level and looks very much at home out there. We will definitely use her on the attack."

One of Villanova's most depenable assets in 2004 was Gardner. The native of Centerport, N.Y. scored 24 goals and added six assists in her Villanova debut. She was second on the team in scoring.

"Becky worked very hard in the offseason at improving her shot," says O'Neil. "There have been times in the pre-season where she has looked unstoppable. We will look for her to be a leader for us."

The coaching staff believes the crop of newcomers has added a jolt of energy to the program. There are nine freshman and each brings an ingredient that should prove helpful.

"Stevie McFadden is a true attack player," says O'Neil. "She has the quickest first step we have seen here recently and has great instincts around the goal."

Another fresh face on the attack is rookie Cassie McDonough, who spent most of the past off-season completing rehabilative work on a left knee injured last year.

"She looks fantastic, better than I would have ever expected at this point," notes O'Neil. She's very quick with her check, receives the ball well and knows how to get her shot off."

Kathleen Kelly is another freshman with the tools to be of assistance. "Kathleen is very aggressive and competitve in the midfield," says O'Neil. "She is a very quick player and we look for her to help us in the midfield."

Midfielder Amanda Carlson also adds an athletic dimension to the Wildcats.

"Amanda is very fast and has great footwork," O'Neil says. "She has a quick shot and is intense on defense. We look for her to see a ton of playing time."

Freshman Alex Garvey also is in the equation in the midfield. A lefthander, she is will likely be asked to help generate some offense from the midfield.

"One of the things I like about Alex is the intensity she brings every day," states O'Neil. "She has great natural defensive ability."

The Wildcats hope to take advantage of freshman Meaghan Donohoe's skill at creating shots for others.

"Meaghan does a good job of feeding her teammates on the attack," notes O'Neil.

Tricia Magnusson joins the midfield too.

"Tricia can run and has looked good in the defensive midfield," O'Neil.

Brozena will be backed up in goal by a freshman Lauren Latchford.

"Lauren gets better every day," says O'Neil. "She gains confidence and her skills are improving. The other thing she does very well is start the transition game, which is important."

Also in the defensive midfield mix is freshman Laura Garrett.

"Laura is very good in transition and sees the field well," O'Neil says.

Nikki Bell adds to the defensive options available to O'Neil.

"Nikki will be a factor for us this year," says O'Neil. `She has a great stick for a defender."

O'Neil believes the ingredients are in place to make strides in 2005. On the attack, the `Cats will lean most heavily on Rocap, McFadden and Schneider.

In the midfield the linchpins figure to be Gardner, Carlson, Koza, Morea, Garvey and McDonough. On defense, the heaviest load should be carried Hanley, Jackson, and Bell. But perhaps the best element in all this is that this will be a deeper team than it has in the past.

"We are going to sub a ton," says O'Neil. "We're definitely deeper than we have been and I expect 18-20 players to be in the rotation for us."

Depth and determination might be the most potent words in the Villanova lacross vocabulary.

It's a new season and the `Cats are eager to greet it.