George Washington University Athletics
2017 Lacrosse Season Outlook
2/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
"The fall was very successful, probably the most successful fall since I've been here, so that's giving us a lot of confidence going into this season," said Coyne. "Clearly our number one goal is to make the A-10 tournament, I think all of us are really focused on that, and we'll feel a good sense of accomplishment if we can qualify for the tournament."
Despite graduating seven seniors and one graduate student last spring, the Colonials return an experienced roster that features four juniors, seven seniors, and one graduate student. Coyne will need a number of those upperclassmen to step up in 2017 to fill the void left by some key losses, which include leading scorers Olivia Boudreau and Gabbi Hull, and defensive anchor Jacqui Stevens.
Boudreau and Hull combined for 36 goals and 20 assists last season, but a number of players are ready to make up for the lost offense.
Senior Bailey Forcier ranked fourth in the A-10 with 1.59 assists per game last season, led GW with 34 points, and topped the team with 27 assists, a mark that is tied for the fifth highest single-season total in program history. Junior midfielder Jocelyn Donohue is coming off of a breakout sophomore campaign where she tied the team leader with 22 goals and ranked fourth with 25 points. Coyne is also looking to senior Michaela Lynch to contribute on the offensive end, after having a successful junior season starting all 16 games in which she played and ranking third on the team with 21 goals and 27 points.
Coyne also expects offensive contributions from a number of midfielders, including junior Brooke Sands and senior captain Shea Cassidy.
Sands appeared in all 17 games last season and racked up four goals and three assists for seven points. Cassidy ranked second on the team with 22 draw controls, third on the team in assists, and recorded a career-high eight caused turnovers during her junior campaign.
"We have a strong core nucleus returning," said Coyne. "With such a strong nucleus back, there are a lot of aspects we are doing in the same way but the chemistry has improved significantly. The players are more confident performing certain skills. I feel really good about the leadership, the commitment, with what they've learned, and how clearly they understand where we're trying to go."
GW will rely on a core group of veteran defenders in graduate student captain Becca Taub, senior Natalie Maher, and sophomore Bridget Cassidy to lead the Colonials' backline. Taub has the most experience in the group after starting all 17 games last season and recording 15 ground balls, five draw controls, and four caused turnovers.
Senior Erin Long and junior Adele Wise will compete for the starting goalkeeping job. Long saw action in eight games in goal and posted a 10.84 goals-against average and a .419 save percentage in 199:13 minutes between the pipes. Wise enters her junior season ranking seventh all-time at GW with 131 career saves and sixth with 909 career minutes played in the cage.
Coyne also expects immediate contributions from a number of the 11 newcomers, including freshman Aidan Cage, Caroline Esmond, Caroline Kiernan, Posie Paoletta, Katie Quinn, Jasmine Walker and Christine Weber all who come from top club teams and high school programs.
"Not making the A-10 tournament last season was extremely disappointing. That disappointment is our motivation in 2017. We successfully integrated the new players into our system during Fall Ball and our on-field performance was really motivating as we continue to push forward." said Coyne. "The seniors have been focused on making it a truly inclusive team. They are working to get better, not because they have to, because they want to. All the things we are asking them to do, they're happily doing it. They are a special group. I think we feel good about where we are as a team right now. It's just a matter of going out and proving it to ourselves."
GW gets the season underway Saturday as it plays host to Monmouth at 1 p.m. at the GW Lacrosse Field on the Mount Vernon Campus.
