Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136

CONTACT: Jerry Reilly,
Sports Information Director

DATE: Fri., March 17, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women's lacrosse

Ten returning sophs form backbone of '06 team

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- The 2005 season proved to be a rebuilding year for the Fredonia State women's lacrosse team.

The team added 13 freshmen last season. Of that baker’s dozen, 10 players are back as sophomores. The group forms the backbone of the 2006 team, which opens its season March 28 vs. Massachusetts Institute of Technology at West Palm Beach, Fla.

The Blue Devils also face Hartwick on March 27 in West Palm Beach before returning north for their home opener, April 6, vs. Oberlin.

Two of the returning sophomores are co-captains -- Rebecca Erlichman (pittsford/Pittsford-Mendon) and Janelle Giehl (Rochester/Irondequoit). They succeed Erynn Anderson, who remains with the team this season as an assistant coach, and Katelyn Ferry, the only two seniors lost to graduation.

Head coach Chris Case believes with the team losing only two starters, this year’s team should come together and play more cohesively than last year.

“Last year,” Case said, “was a time to mesh and learn. Even though (this year’s team lacks the depth in numbers, the ladies make that up in their level and quality of play.”

Three players return with more than one year of experience. Case expects the trio of junior Brittney Bennett (Livonia/Livonia), and seniors Jade Gianforte (Chittenango/Chittenango) and Courtney Wheeler (Farmington/Victor), to lead with their experience and knowledge of the college game.

Four-year players both, Gianforte and Wheeler will be responsible for keeping opponents away from the cage and sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Wright (Rochester/Irondequoit). Gianforte was adept at the task last season and earned All SUNYAC Second Team selection.

Sophomores Laura Green (West Seneca/West Seneca West) and Giehl, chosen Most Improved Player on the 2005 team, proved to be essential additions to the defense as freshmen. The unit will be further bolstered by the addition of freshman Kate Corrigan (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) -- a tall, speedy player. Erlichman will also be used on defense because of her aggressiveness and agility. She played mostly midfield in 2005.

Returning midfielders will include Bennett and sophomore Nicole VanEtten (Endicott/Union-Endicott), last year’s Rookie of the Year on the team. Both players possess speed and integrity required at the midfield position. Also back is sophomore Stephanie Maderer (Orchard Park/Orchard Park), who received a medical redshirt as a freshman in 2005. She will be seeing her first collegiate action in 2006 and will be responsible for the center midfield position. She and VanEtten will be handling most of the draws.

New to the squad in the midfield will be freshman Brittany McDevitt (Mendon/Honeoye Falls-Lima) and freshman Kelly Higgins (Elma/Iroquois). McDevitt will be an asset on both offense and defense because of her speed and physical strength, while Higgins possesses the endurance and technical skill the midfield position calls for.

As for the attack, the Devils return three players, led by sophomore Kaleena Goldsworthy (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker). With 45 points as a freshman, including 37 goals, she led the team in scoring and put her name on the Fredonia State all-time scoring list. She was co-recipient of the team’s Offensive MVP award. Sophomores Jessica DeBolt (Livonia/Livonia) and Leslie Von Pless (Liverpool/Liverpool) also return. DeBolt has a powerful shot, while Von Pless attacks from the left side.

If opponents think the are seeing double this season, it’s because they will be. Goldsworthy’s twin sister, Kayleigh Goldsworthy (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker), is among a trio of first-year attackers Case anticipates playing significant roles in 2006. The others are Casey Whyte (Honeoye Falls/Honeoye Falls-Lima) and Christie Zaganiaczyk (Pittsford/Pittsford-Mendon).

The Blue Devils had a 6-9 record last season and have posted 19 wins in Case's three previous seasons as head coach. The school records for wins by a coach is 26.

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