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ROCK HILL, SC – The 2014 lacrosse season gets underway for the second-year Eagle squad Sunday and after a strong inaugural season, expectations continue to stay high for a still very young team.
Second-year head coach John Sung may be returning 14 players from last year's 9-8 campaign, but still boasts only four upperclassmen. Sung's squad includes two seniors, two juniors, 10 sophomores and six freshmen.
On the attack, Winthrop returns reigning Big South Freshman of the Year, Shannon Gallagher who led the Big South and was sixth in the NCAA in goals per game, averaging 3.38 markers per contest.
Joining Gallagher up top will be sophomore Krista Frowein and junior transfer Jenna Kasmarik. Kasmarik is joining the Eagles from Johns Hopkins University where she played lacrosse for two years. She appeared in 20 games over two seasons, scoring 12 goals and adding two assists.
"Jenna is expected to be a consistent contributor to our offense this year," Sung said. "She is an athlete who doesn't need anyone else to create her own offense."
The projected starting midfield includes four returners and one freshman. Junior co-captain Alyssa Blevins and sophomore Hayley Krause each return after earning Second Team All-Conference honors last year.
Krause dominated draws in the Big South last year, averaging 6.65 draws per game, more than three draws per game more than anyone else. She also finished second in the NCAA. The Eagles as a team won the NCAA statistical championship in draw controls, finishing just .12 draws per game ahead of Robert Morris.
The midfield will be rounded out by senior co-captain Mary Accomando, sophomore Logan McCarthy and freshman Sydney Cope. McCarthy netted 23 goals last season, finishing fourth on the team. She was also very strong on free-position attempts, scoring 12 goals on 13 attempts last season to lead the Big South.
Winthrop will boast a very youthful defensive group with one returner, sophomore, Maggie Montanye and two freshmen, Paige Jenkins and Grace Sisserson. Montayne appeared in all 17 games last year for the Eagles, making 16 starts. She picked up 28 ground balls and caused 18 turnovers.
In goal, Winthrop returns sophomore Camille King who played in and started all 17 games for the Eagles last year. King averaged 7.41 saves per game last season with a 13.10 goals against average. Winthrop also returns its backup goalie sophomore Jesse Filyaw-Hiu.
Last year the Eagles scored 208 goals, the fourth highest in the league, but allowed 221 goals, the second most in the Big South. Coming into this season, defense was a big point of emphasis for Sung and his coaching staff.
"Last season we were much heavier on offense than defense, we changed that this year," Sung said. "We've got a completely different look and defensive style for this year."
The 2013 Eagles boasted 21 freshmen and with 10 of them returning to this year's squad, Sung expects a much different mindset from his young core.
"Last year we only played at one speed on every offensive possession," Sung said. "I expect to see much more maturity on the offensive side of the ball. We will be more mindful of our possessions and will cherish the ball."
Winthrop will need to show its maturity as it embarks on a challenging schedule for 2014. The Eagles' schedule boasts contests against four NCAA tournament schools from last year. Winthrop will also take on two schools that are preseason ranked in the top 20 and two others who received votes in the IWLCA poll.
"Last year's schedule probably ranked a four out of 10, this year's schedule is easily an 8-of-10," Sung said. "It's easy to put a schedule together where you get 12-14 wins every year, but that doesn't take us where we want to be and that's to a Big South Championship."
The Eagles will open on Sunday, February 9 on the road at the Ohio State University. The game will be played indoors at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The Buckeyes finished last year with an 8-10 overall record and received votes in the IWLCA preseason poll.
The home opener for Winthrop will come on Friday, February 14 against the Aztecs of San Diego State University. The Eagles' non-conference home slate includes games against St. Francis on March 5 and Cincinnati on March 7. Denver, a NCAA tournament team and preseason #17 in the country comes to Eagle field on Marcy 17 while Jacksonville, another tournament participant will take on the Eagles March 29.
Winthrop's non-conference road schedule after Ohio State includes a trip to George Mason on February 23. March 12, the Eagles will take on preseason #5, Florida. The non-conference road slate closes with a pair of games up north at first-year program Michigan on March 20 followed by a March 23 contest against Marquette. Winthrop's matchup against Michigan will be played in famed 109,000-seat Michigan Stadium.
In the Big South, the Eagles will host four contests and travel for three. Winthrop opens conference play at Davidson on April 4 and also travel to Campbell April 11 and Liberty April 25.
The Eagles will host Longwood (April 6), 2013 conference champion High Point (April 13), Coastal Carolina (April 19) and Presbyterian for senior day on April 27.
