Madison Girls Lacrosse Looks to Senior Leaders

The weather is starting to warm up (pay no attention to the snow on the ground), and that means spring sports are about to start for Madison High School varsity squads. As opening day approaches, we're taking a look at each of the teams as they ready for competition. Today, we take a look at the Dodgers girls lax team.

Overview

One year removed from a trip to the state sectional finals, the Madison girls lacrosse team has experienced a makeover. Former assistant coach Megan Anderson takes over the head coaching duties, and, with seven starters gone from 2010, questions loom heading into the season. The Dodgers still have a stable of dependable players eyeing a repeat performance in 2011.

Last Season's Results

The Dodgers finished a successful 2010 campaign with a 13-9 mark, including a visit to the New Balance North Jersey Group 1 championship, where they fell to  Glen Ridge, 18-14.

Keep Your Eye On

• Shannon Sweeney, Goalie (Sr.)—Sweeney begins her third season in net for the Dodgers. After sharing goalie duties her sophomore year, the Dodger captain took over as Madison's fulltime goalie last season. With the Dodgers missing defender Cecilia Matthews, who is expected to be out for most of the season with a knee injury, Sweeney will be counted on to help keep the Dodgers in each and every game. 
• Emily Rutland, Attack, Midfield (Sr.)—Rutland, who signed a letter of intent to play at Yale University, was a key factor in Madison’s success last season, and her role on attack will be even more important as the Dodgers look to her to help lead an offense that has experienced some changes.
• Biz Jago, Attack (Sr.)—Not only will Madison count on the senior to make up for last year's graduated seniors by scoring goals, but they'll also count on her to be a leader on a team loaded with underclassmen.

 They'll Miss

• Evan Fouldsham, Midfield—Last season Foulsham notched 54 goals, 10 assists, and 54 ground balls, earning First Team All-Morris County and team co-MVP honors.
• Ali Foulsham, —Along with twin sister, Evan, Foulsham was a key to  Madison’s success, posting career-highs in goals (62), assists (21), and ground balls (77), while earning First Team All-Morris County, All-American Honorable Mention, and team co-MVP recognition.
• Chelsea Davies, Defense—Davies helped anchor a strong Madison defense in 2010. A standout on the Madison field hockey team, Davies has taken her talent to the University of Richmond.

 Coach's Take

“This is going to be an exciting season, because I think the one thing about the group that we’re working with is that we’re going to see progress in each game, we’re going to develop and show improvement each step of the way. I think we have a lot of talent and leadership, and while we did lose a majority of our team from last year, I think the people that are being molded to step up are going to be prepared for it." -Anderson

They Said It

“I expect to improve after every game, and to have a lot of fun. Everyone knows that we’ve lost a lot of people and no one is really expecting us to be as good as we were last year, but I think we’re going to surprise a lot of teams.” -Sweeney

“Since we lost seven seniors last year and we have 22 freshman this season, so a lot of them will be playing varsity and we’ve been working with them in practice to make sure that they know all of the plays and that they’re comfortable on the field. We’re hoping that they can really step up along with a lot of the juniors who have been on the team for three years and a couple of sophomores too. So we have a whole range of ages.” –Jago

“This year is going to be kind of like a rebuilding year, because we lost a lot of players last year, but I’m definitely hopeful for this season and our first couple of scrimmages have gotten better each time. So I’m looking forward to this season and seeing how we come together as a team.” -Rutland

 2011 Madison Girls Lacrosse Team Roster 

Kristen Blomster

Sr.

Biz Jago

Sr.

Cecelia Matthews

Sr.

Emily Rutland

Sr.

Shannon Sweeney

Sr.

Rachel Alvey

Jr.

Winnie Caetta

Jr.

Sally Curtiss

Jr.

Melanie Greene

Jr.

Liz Lehmann

Jr.

Siobhan McCulloch

Jr.

Amelia Murcott

Jr.

Ali Costikyan

So.

Lexi Deliavia

So.

Emily Halker

So.

Charlotte Horn

So.

Kayla Fennelly

So.

Ali Jago

So.

Jill Lennon

So.

Rachel Massaro

So.

Caitlin Noto

So.

Olivia Stein

So.

Crystal Yang

So.

Rachel Azzolini

Fr.

Katie Battaglia

Fr.

Melissa Blount

Fr.

Tiffany Cecere

Fr.

Jane Collins

Fr.

Chloe Connell

Fr.

Kelsey Dyer

Fr.

Maura Fennelly

Fr.

Avi Goret

Fr.

Katherine Gotsch

Fr.

Crosby Kapp

Fr.

Arianna May

Fr.

Michelle Montagna

Fr.

Skyler Oates

Fr.

Sara Pike

Fr.

Bridget Smith

Fr.

Lily Smith

Fr.

Caitlin Smith

Fr.

Sophie Smith

Fr.

Brynn Taylor

Fr.

Kelly Weck

Fr.