Spring success ahead for women's lacrosse

By Sharon Lin

Optimism abounds for many Yale teams beginning their seasons, but the women's lacrosse team is one of the lucky squads that can actually fuel its hopes with realistic potential and talent. The team recently returned from a very successful week-long training trip to St. Petersburg, Florida.

The good weather in both Florida and New Haven worked in the Bulldogs' favor. During the week, Yale scrimmaged other teams training down South, including Temple, William and Mary, Boston University, American, and St. Joseph's. Scrimmaging these squads gave Yale a taste of the upper echelons of women's lacrosse. "It showed us what areas we need to work on in terms of play," defender Laura Scott, BK '97, said.

The 1997 Yale women's lacrosse team, led by captain Carmina Valle, SM '97, has a considerable legacy to perpetuate. The 1996 campaign posted a 10-4 record and a 10th-place rank in the country. Many credit leadership as a primary asset of this year's Bulldog squad. Scott explained that she and the five other seniors "each have unique ways of leading the team." Although they may differ in their individual approaches to building enthusiasm and inspiration, the seniors "do have the most experience at what it means to be on a college team."

The defense is led by veteran starter Scott, whom head coach Amanda O'Leary described as an "all-around great player." Scott was also selected as a member of the United States Developmental Lacrosse Team. "Overall, it's helped me increase my skills and allows me to play with other top-caliber college players," Scott said. But more importantly, experience at the national level "transfers to team dynamics" here at Yale.

Scott is supported in the backfield by teammates Emily Groom, JE '98, and Christina Harding, TC '98. O'Leary praised Groom's great speed and Harding's anticipation as keys to a solid defense.

In the midfield, Yale looks to Vanessa Kerry, PC '99, whom O'Leary referred to as "a very stable player, consistent on both defense and offense." Echoing the positive sentiments of her teammates, Kerry reaffirmed, "A lot of work has gone into such a short season. We're really ready to explode."

If the momentum from early wins against Hofstra and Holy Cross continues, the season could be very promising indeed. Midfielder Alyssa Chen, TD '99, said, "Our schedule gets harder as we go along. So far, we've been able to accomplish the goals we've set for ourselves."

Despite beating both Hofstra and Holy Cross handily (13-4 and 13-2, respectively), the Bulldogs still felt that they could have played better at times. Against the Wildcats, they realized this goal: to play an entire game well.

"For UNH, we played two strong halves instead of just one," said Chen. O'Leary emphasized that the most important thing about the four games her players have won this season is that they have been team efforts. "Everyone has been seeing a lot of playing time," she added.

Heather Bentley, PC '00, and Verena Phipps, DC '00, are two powerful rookies . Bentley shares the rank of third-highest scorer so far this season with senior Ali DeLaCruz, ES '97, and Phipps is demonstrating talent at the defensive end. Bentley remarked, "I've never felt like a freshman...the seniors are very supportive and have awesome personalities." In addition to the rookies, one experienced Yale athlete is also making her mark. Laurie Belliveau, TD '98, perhaps better known for her role as the goalie for the Yale women's hockey team, demonstrated her offensive prowess on the lacrosse field with three goals in the UNH game.

On Thurs., Mar. 27, the team travelled to Amherst for a 20-4 win over UMass, their biggest competition thus far. The coach viewed this matchup as preparation for the challenging Ivy League play which begins with tomorrow's home game against Columbia at 1:00 p.m.

The team looks to the Ivy Championship and the NCAA tournament as the ultimate goals for this season. In previous years, the tournament was limited to the top six teams, but is has recently been expanded to include eight. Kerry applauds this change as "more logical," since teams will no longer receive a first-round bye. Furthermore, since Yale has been "riding the bubble," so to speak, for the past couple years--in the top 10 but not in the select six--the revamped format may afford the Elis more opportunity for coveted post-season play.

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