BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The College at Brockport's women's lacrosse team is hoping that their young team will be able to improve on a successful 2015 season. Last season the Golden Eagles reached the SUNYAC semifinals, but hope that last years' experience will propel them to higher heights in 2016.
 
Head coach Stephen Wagner expects his team to be led by its senior class, and wants them to help make this season one of their best ever. 
 
"We have some great leaders in each area of the field," commented Wagner. "Courtney Szesniack on defense, Ciera McKeon and Mackenzie Schuber in the midfield, and Hailey Boronczyk on attack." 
 
Coach Wagner also pointed to the need of the team's juniors to step up as well, namely Meg LeGro and Katie Curren to provide a spark in close games.  On a team where 16 of the 27 players are underclassmen, the importance of strong leadership is even more critical.  They will look for senior Keeley Rice, and juniors Lauren Mancini, Cassandra Minerd, and Kelly Wall to help guide this young team. 
 
With such a young squad, this team will need significant contributions from its underclassmen if they hope to have a successful season.  This will include finding someone to stand tall in goal, with sophomores Paige Lammes and Sara Shaddock, or freshman net minder Sam Capobianco tasked with filling that role.  With such a young core, the Golden Eagles will look to that youth to grow, and play a vital part in this season's success.
 
"We have a strong, hard working freshman class," said Wagner.  "I'm not sure yet who is going to break out of the pack to play an important role this season."
 
The freshmen class that consists of defenders Nikki Nolan, Nicole Geoghan, and Ashley Tack from Utah will also be joined by midfielders Briana Davies, and Jillian Babinsky.  The position players, in addition to goal keeper Capobianco, all hope they can contribute in 2016. 
 
The core and largest part of this year's team will be its sophomore class.  With only 11 upperclassmen on the roster, this year's team will have to lean on its 10 sophomores.  Andrea Zilnsky, Tess Knight, Peyton Pallar, Taylor Thomas, Samantha Dooling, Jessica Boddery, Rachel Knapp, Carlee Leonardi, Kristen Quigley, and Sara Shaddock will be the heart of the team going forward, and this season could be very telling of how good they can really be.                  
 
Despite a successful 2015 season that saw the Golden Eagles reach the SUNYAC semifinals, Coach Wagner knows that this team can perform at a higher level, and win on a more consistent basis. Wagner, in his fourth season at the helm of the Brockport program, emphasized the goal for this team will be to compete and win close games.  Maintaining enthusiasm and determination in practice and during those close contests will be key to this team advancing beyond their 2015 finish.
 
"Our team is really focused on improving outside of practice," Wagner said "They have been working very hard not only on individual skills, but individual relationships as well.  From wall ball to team bowling trips, they are more invested in the overall experience of the team."
 
2016 looks to be a season that will require hard work and strong leadership, but with enough determination and will, this year's team will be able to find even more success than they had last year. 
 
The Golden Eagles will begin the 2016 campaign this Saturday, Feb. 27, at Montclair State.
 
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