Andrew Anastasio – Sports Editor –
Since 2002-12, the Owls Women’s Lacrosse team has posted an overall record of 16-130 for a winning percentage totaling .12. With the 2013 season just four months away, the team is optimistic about their upcoming season.
“We’re not looking at what the record was,” head coach Kelley Frassinelli said. “We are looking at what we want the record to be, and that’s the focus of the players right now. They are focusing on what the team does not want to do this year. That’s where they’re going right now. They’re not looking back at what was instead we are trying to move forward.”
2002 was the first season Frassinelli took the helm as Owls head coach. Since then, the team hasn’t accumulated more than three wins in a single season, nor have they qualified for a playoff berth finishing last in the conference the last four seasons. Despite her team’s lack in performance over the past ten years, Frassinelli said she’s confident that her team will only look forward, and not dwell on the past.
“It’s constant pushing,” Frassinelli said. “You don’t give up, you don’t let down, and you don’t say ‘you can’t do this’ because we can. It’s just a matter of having those quality kids, with quality skill, and a quality work ethic. I think that this is the first year we have that all-around.”
Entering the 2012-13 season the team will be captained by senior Jessica Shaw, who tallied 22 goals and five assists to finish last season with 27 total points. Last year’s co-captain, Eliana Heiple who played under Frassinelli for four years, said that the team during her freshman season was handled differently as opposed to her senior season a year ago.
“I think a lot has changed,” said Heiple. “I’ve won only one game during my time at Southern. I think there are more progressive changes, more recruiting, and better recruiting. And with more freshmen coming in, they’re trying to improve and get better.”
Last season, the Owls ranked last in goals scored with a total of 68 in 14 games played. They also ranked last in assists per game at a total of 12, which averaged to less than one assist per game. Even in points scored per game, the Owls were last in the NE-10 Conference. They totaled 80 points, at an average of 6 points per game.
Heiple led the team last year in almost every major statistical category. Her and Shaw accounted for 40 of the team’s 68 total goals scored. Shaw said she remains optimistic of this season despite her search for a victory: something she has not endured in her three seasons with the team.
“I want to win some games,” said Shaw. “I have never won a game here at Southern, and this is going to be my fourth year. I think we are going to do decent this year, and win a few games.”
When spring comes rolling around, the Owls will welcome Lindsey Merrow, Lauren Anderson, Nora Daly, and Vanessa Pagano, all whom round out this year’s freshman class.
Heiple said teamwork would be the team’s key to success this season on the field.
“I think they have to learn how to play better together,” said Heiple. “They need to make the connections with the younger players so that we can all mesh on the field.”
When the 2012-13 season is finished, the Owls are losing Shaw and fellow seniors Martinez, Felicia Zalik, and Katie Walker. Frassinelli said during her recruiting process, she looks for a particular position, and a player who fits the description.
“Right now for me, I want the mid-fielder,” said Frassinelli. “The kid who can make the run, and who can play both ends of the field with no problem. It’s a matter of finding the kids who are inquiring, and whom we see throughout the summer and in fall-ball. There’s even a lot going on in doors with tournaments, so there are a lot of opportunities to scout kids, and that is what we are doing. We are looking for that overall kid. Not just the player but the character as well.”
