Villanova University

Feb. 27, 2010

It has been out there on the horizon for some time now and finally the moment is at hand. Villanova is now officially a member of the BIG EAST in women's lacrosse and in 2010 embarks upon a new chapter in the program's history.

"There is an added energy to our program," states Villanova head coach Jebb Chagan as he enters his fifth season at the helm. "There is an added energy for our players, for our coaching staff, in recruiting, and from our alumni base. That part of this has been terrific.

"The challenge is substantial. We have played some BIG EAST schools the last couple of years and had some real close games and won some pre-season scrimmages. But we've also had it taken to us at times. This is arguably the toughest conference in the country."

Since his elevation to head coach, Chagan has spent considerable time focused on charting the best course for this program to make its way forward.

"In a way, it's similar to what (men's basketball coach) Jay Wright has done with his program," says Chagan. "What is the Villanova way? Basketball has established what that way is and has a great tradition. I think we've begun to do that. Now we're trying to figure out what that extra step is.

"The neat thing is the (players) are ready to accept these challenges. They aren't shying away from it."

In the last two seasons, the Wildcats have developed a foundation of success with a core group that is only now maturing. That progress was most evident over the second half of 2009, when the `Cats bounced back from a slow start to win seven of their last nine to close the season at .500 (8-8).

"We had a season where the kids made good decisions off the field and improved their communication with each other and the coaches," noted Chagan. "We lost a slew of close games at the beginning of the year. Not only did we not pack it in, we turned it up a notch. Even those two losses we had in the second half were by one goal in overtime. It was absolutely a springboard for us."

Anchoring the roster is a trio of veteran captains who have been a part of the rebirth of a program that struggled in the middle part of the last decade.

Samantha McKillip is a senior who started all 16 games in the midfield during the 2009 campaign. She contributed nine goals and 16 ground balls with steady play and now returns for her second season as a team captain.

"Not only has she been a constant contributor since her freshman year," says Chagan, "but Samantha is a kid who has led by example on and off the field. She loves the game and her teammates and is a tremendous communicator. It's no secret why she's going into nursing."

Erica Rybinski enjoyed a terrific rebound campaign after a knee injury cost her the entire 2008 season. The native of Manlius, N.Y., established a single season Villanova record with 24 assists and also added 31 goals to finish second to Taryn McKenna on the squad in points. Now back in top form, she figures to be the focal point of opponents' game plans.

"Erica's playing skills speak for themselves," states Chagan. "She has been an impact player on the field since she came to Villanova. We certainly are looking for her to continue to lead on the field. The challenge for her is how to be responsible as a captain for her teammates while still bringing that kind of production on the field. How she balances all that will be the key to her season and she is absolutely up to it."

The third captain in 2010 is junior midfielder Rachel Lasda. A season ago Lasda started all 16 games and supplied 17 goals and a pair of assists to go with 25 ground balls.

"Like Erica, she has made an impact on the field since the first day she joined us," explains Chagan. "She is recognized by her teammates as someone who does not accept second best for herself or her teammates. Now, she has to lead not just through her actions but vocally with her teammates.

"As a player, we are going to lean on Rachel to score more for us this year. This is a kid who hails from the Syracuse area and is really pumper to be in the BIG EAST."

Surrounding that trio of captains is a roster that is now deeper and more versatile than at any time in the recent past.

On the attack, Chagan and his staff - which includes newcomers Danielle Hensil-Piercy, Monica Manco and Andrea DeSabato - will look to a group of quality holdovers and several promising new arrivals.

Senior Sarah Berger has battled injuries in each of the last two seasons. A year ago, she was limited to nine games.

"Sarah is consistently one of our hardest workers," Chagan states. "Unfortunately, she has faced some tough injuries. She transferred in from Hofstra and in her two years has lost major chunks of time to injury. We're just excited for her to be healthy. She absolutely has the ability to get on the field."

Senior Kyler O'Shea will be in the mix again at attack. Last season she scored a pair of goals in 13 appearances.

"Kyler had a very strong fall and really played with great confidence," says Chagan. "We're excited to see that confidence. When Kyler has the opportunity, she does a really good job of finishing around the cage."

Junior Carly Miller returns after taking a significant step forward as a sophomore, with 27 goals and seven assists. Her 57 draw controls ranked ninth nationally and helped the `Cats finish second nationally in that category to national champion Northwestern.

"We are certainly expecting big things from Carly as a junior this year," states Chagan. "There is no one who will put more pressure on Carly than Carly. We don't really need to do that. She has worked very hard on her game. We would like to see her be more of a vocal leader on the field - she is already a leader for us off the field."

Tricia Shanagan is a sophomore who played in 14 games in '09, recording two goals and two assists.

"Trish arguably has one of the best sticks on the team," states Chagan. "She has really picked up her game pace and speed of play this fall. Now that she's playing much quicker it will benefit her."

Sophomore Lauren Gallagher shuttled between attack and goalie as a freshman last season. This season she will be used exclusively on attack.

"Last year Lauren took one for the team so to speak," states Chagan. "We asked her to play some goalie for us. I think she's very happy to be back in the attack spot. Lauren is just a great example of what a teammate should be."

Freshman Shannon Lane will look to make her mark up front as well.

"This is a super kid who is very athletic," notes Chagan. "It's not a matter of if she gets on the field, but when. The big thing for her is to develop the consistency in her game at this level. There is no doubt she has the ability and skill to play at this level."

There are a number of athletes who figure to join Lasda and Rybinski in the midfield. One of them is sophomore Justine Donodeo, who was sidelined by injury in 2009 and accepted a medical redshirt.

"The first thing for Justine is to keep her healthy," notes Chagan. "She is one of the kids we look at and are really excited about. Even though she missed last season, she absolutely has the ability to finish on cage, run the midfield at the BIG EAST level. We look at her as big key to whatever success we have this season."

Freshman Annie Fallon is in the mix as well.

"In terms of years playing the game, Annie is actually young to the game of lacrosse," says Chagan. "But you would never know it to watch her. She is very gifted athletically and is one of the most coachable kids you will ever come across. For her, it's a matter of mastering that fast learning curve that all young players have to adapt to."

Shawna Giust is another newcomer who should contribute in both the midfield and on defense.

"This is a terrific, coachable young lady who plays with an intensity and edge that can really help us," Chagan states. "One of her strengths is on the draw and between her and Carly we really feel comfortable about what we can accomplish there. Those are two kids that can own that draw circle. Shawna is also relatively new to the game of lacrosse so she too will have a learning curve."

Classmate Maria Bowman brings an impressive skill set as well from her native Virginia.

"Maria has already shown herself to be one of the hardest workers in our program," states Chagan. "She brings good speed and quickness to the field and has a tremendous sense of the game out there. We expect her to be an impact player for us."

Sophomore Princess Livingston will have the chance to make her mark in the midfield as well.

"This is a young lady who has really matured on and off the field," Chagan states. "That maturation has shown up during her off-season. In a sense it has allowed the entire game to slow down for her. She's not only much more confident in her decision-making on the field but I think the game has become fun again. I think that's one of the most important things in terms of P's success."

Julia Lull is another candidate for playing time on the defensive wing.

"The biggest challenge for her this past fall was learning a different system than she played in high school and to have confidence in what we are doing," states Chagan. "The experience she has gotten has helped her have a very good spring. Julia is a coachable kid who understands the game."

Senior Alyssa Mahoney brings a level of experience in an area where the Wildcats are mostly youthful.

"Alyssa has probably set the bar for the rest of the team in terms of how hard you are supposed to work in practice and what it means to be efficient at this level," notes Chagan. "As a senior she has done a good job of figuring out what her strengths are, what she brings to the table on a regular basis. She has played within herself and brings that work ethic every day."

Junior Mia Naccarato spent the fall semester abroad after a solid sophomore campaign.

"Mia had a good sophomore season and now I think the key for her is getting herself ready mentally and physically for the grind of the BIG EAST season," says Chagan. "She is a smart player who brings tremendous energy and fun to the field. Her teammates and coaches feed off that."

On defense, the Wildcats will rely on several key holdovers and an influx of talented newcomers to keep the heat off their goalies. It begins with Amy Jackson, a two-year starter, who is now a junior.

"We look upon Amy as the leader of our defense," Chagan states. "The biggest thing we'd like to see from Amy is for her to be much more vocal. This is someone who understands the game and in a lot of ways is a like an extra member of the coaching staff on the field. As one of the more experienced players on defense, we are going to need her to play at a high level and be a leader for us."

Beyond Jackson, there is some heated competition for minutes.

Sophomore Mary Liva adapted to the defensive side last season after playing attack in high school and the coaches are pleased with the progress they have observed.

"Mary made some nice strides in terms of making that transition last season," states Chagan, "and she had a much more comfortable fall back there. She is one of the candidates who can solidify a spot for us in those key positions."

Another candidate is freshman Sarah Moody.

"From a technical standpoint, Sarah might be our most advanced defender even as a freshman," notes Chagan. "She is a very talented player who played like a senior during our fall season."

Jackie Peloquin is now a junior who has contributed in each of her two seasons in a Wildcat uniform.

"Jackie also spent the fall semester abroad and has a little catching up to do," states Chagan. "She has been a valuable defender for us since her freshman year and is right there battling for minutes in the rotation."

Kim Wisniewski has logged plenty of action in her two seasons in the lineup and now must adjust to a leadership role as a junior.

"Kim was abroad in the fall semester so she's got some work to do too," Chagan states. "But we know how steady she has been for us and her level of experience gives us another dimension back there."

As a former goalie coach, Chagan is particularly enthused about the level of quality he sees in net. On hand are two tested veterans along with a promising rookie in what is very much an open battle for playing time.

Senior Cassie Eure has seen spot duty over her first three seasons at Villanova and now is looking to make her mark in her final campaign.

"As coaches, we continue to be impressed by her leadership and ability to galvanize this team," Chagan says. "Our three goalies are close and a lot of that credit goes to Cassie."

Junior Maggie Langan started 15 of the `Cats 16 games in 2009 and is the most experienced of Villanova's goalie candidates.

"Maggie's done a good job even as she has battled some issues with her back," states Chagan. "We know what she brings us and we see her commitment and work ethic every day. She sets the bar for everybody else."

The newcomer is freshman Amanda Hirschfeld and she has made her presence felt immediately.

"We made a couple of technical changes in Amanda's style and she has really embraced those," states Chagan. "She had a terrific fall and is off to a great start in the spring. She is right there in the mix for playing time."

So begins an exciting new chapter in the history of the Villanova women's lacrosse program. The challenges are considerable but the infusion of talent over the last few years coupled with growth in other areas makes this an entirely new equation.

""We had to come in a few years ago and do some rebuilding," states Chagan. "We are no longer in that mode. This is a brand new chapter and there is an element of the unknown to it. But that is exciting for every one of us in this program, players and coaches alike.

"The best part for the coaching staff is that we have a unified bunch. There is trust among each player and we know what kind of talent we have here. The intangibles are in place and now it's matter of seeing where it takes us. We feel like there are good days ahead of us."