Sage announces 2010 Women's Lacrosse Team Captains
Sage's seniors Karalin Weilacher and Jessica Hankle have been named team captains for the Gators.
Troy, NY---The Sage Colleges' women's lacrosse team has announced the 2010 team captains for the coming year. The Gators will open the season next week when they travel to Wesley College (Dover, DE) and Misericordia University (Dallas, PA) for games on March 9 and March 11.
Head Coach Andrea Hanley announced that the 2010 team captains are seniors Karalin Weilacher (Ticonderoga, NY/Ticonderoga) and Jessica Hankle (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park).
Now in her second season with the Gators, Hanley returns five players that earned letters a year ago and helped the 2009 team to a 1-9 record in their first varsity season.
Hanley said of the selection, "I'm so excited to have both Jess and Kara as our 2010 captains and anxious for the season to start."
In talking about Hankle, Hanley said, "Jessica Hankle has always been a tremendous leader on the team, even as a captain during the 2009 season." Hanley added, "She's been so great helping new members on our team gain more confidence at the college level. When you watch her play in games or in practice, you can see that she plays with her heart. She is very passionate about lacrosse and Sage's lacrosse program. Jess is the type of player and leader that is willing to do anything for the greater good of the team."
"Karalin Weilacher is one of our strongest voices on the team," said Hanley. "She was selected as a captain because of her leadership and dedication to the program," added Hanley. "Kara is always trying to help her teammates and the program advance to the next level. Because of her leadership on and off the field, the Gators have advanced well onto the college level of women's lacrosse."
With the 2010 season opening next week, the Gators return a number of experienced players. Hankle added a pair of goals last spring from her midfield position and played in every game, while Weilacher added an assist and 11 ground ball pickups a year ago in 10 outings. Hankle will be the team's leader on attack this year as she is great around the cage and does a fine job setting up plays for her teammates. She can play on both ends of the field and Hanley will look for her to lead the attack and midfield units this season. Weilacher is coming off a great first season and the team will count on her to continue her impressive play for a successful campaign.
She can be dominant in the midfield and on draw controls, while helping the team to regain possession of the ball, when is playing on the defensive end of the field. Hanley will look to her to keep the ball on attack and convert more offensive opportunities.
Sophomore midfielder Ginelle Butler (Malta, NY/Ballston Spa) played in all 10 games a year ago and tallied three goals. Hanley feels that Butler will make an impact on both ends of the field as she is a great all-around midfielder. Look for Butler to be one of the Gators' leaders on offense and defense.
Junior midfielder Gabrielle Piccione (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) was one of the team's top match-up defenders last season and should pick up right where she left off in 2009. She had 14 ground balls and is very aggressive as she does an excellent job getting the ball back to the Sage attackers. Hanley is counting on her to contribute more this year on draw controls and ground balls, while hoping she can elevate her scoring potential this spring.
Senior midfielder Christina Gray (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) comes to the lacrosse field after back to back performances as the Skyline Conference Women's Tennis Player of the Year. Gray possesses a strong athletic ability and is one of the team's most dominant attackers. She will do whatever it takes to keep the ball in the attacking end and has the potential to go strong to goal. Gray will play a major role in the midfielder unit for Sage with her skills to collect draw controls and help the Gators' transition game. She is very tough to get past when she is defending the midfield unit and that will be an asset for the team.
The 2010 Gators will play 13 regular-season contests and will compete as a member of the Skyline Conference. The conference winner is decided in a six-team tournament with the champion earning a bid to the 2010 NCAA Division III Tournament. Among the foes the Gators will face in conference games are Farmingdale State College, Mount Saint Mary College, Bard College, the College of Mount Saint Vincent, Ramapo College, Kean University, Maritime College and Montclair State University. A year ago, Farmingdale captured the conference championship with a 16-13 win over Montclair State in the title game.
Additional tough non-conference action for the Gators will come from the likes of Wesley College, Misericordia University, Rhode Island College, Cazenovia College and Green Mountain College.
The Gators will host Green Mountain College on April 8 in the team's home opener, while additional home contests will feature Mount Saint Vincent, Kean and Montclair State on April 24 in conjunction with Senior Day!
Hanley noted, "Sage's women's lacrosse program has a lot to build on now that we are in our second season as a varsity program." She continued to say, "this year our leadership and experience will really help us continue the build upon the program's past success and strive for a higher level. I have every ounce of confidence that each student-athlete will show up ready to play their hardest each time they step on the field. What has impressed me the most about this year's team, is their overall mental toughness and work ethic. To be successful this season, we will need to play an aggressive style of defense and be patient on attack."
"I feel that this year's team has a special energy to it which will help the squad accomplish a high level of goals and success for the 2010 season," added Hanley.
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