Matt Cain- Contributor
With the women gearing up for their upcoming lacrosse season, high hopes and optimism are running through the practice field and film sessions. After their first successful season in 2023, the Owls now look towards this upcoming season with the leadership of captains defender Hannah Holmes, a junior, and midfielder Brianna Shaw, a senior.
These two have been playing together for most of their college careers, but there will only be one captain suiting, as Shaw will have to be on injured reserve for most of the season.
Depth is going to be a big factor this season since there are serval returners coming to compete. Those returners consist of a strong senior group that has been together for all four years and are ready to break into the NE10s.
“We got four senior starting defenders that are all back who all started multiple games in the past,” Head Coach Kevin Siedlecki said.
There are also several freshman and sophomores who are hungry to get out on the field. Shaw being out for the season will result in more playing time for the younger talent on the bench.
“The sophomore group has looked really good in the preseason,” Siedlecki said.
Last year’s first winning season for the Owls made them feel as if they can now compete with top NE10 talent. Last season, they went four and eight in conference play, but with the next man up mentality and the changes to the roster, the Owls feel like they can hold their own against conference play with no problem.
“We are probably going to have 20 girls in the rotation this year. Last year, we only had about 18 or so,” Siedlecki said. “We feel we have at least 20 girls who can step on the field and give us something.”
Now taking on the responsibilities as a captain, Holms is very optimistic about the upcoming season. She is a part of that core senior group who has been through trials and tribulations all the years she has been an owl. However this year is different, as she now looks to lead her team through top tier talent.
“There are five to six teams ranked nationally, and we are right under them and want to prove ourselves,” Holms said.
Along with Holms being named captain, she has a chip on her shoulder and wants to prove herself not only as a better player than before, but as a good leader. With Shaw not being able to play, Holms will be the only captain on the field.
“I want to show people why I’m captain and to show the team why I belong in this position,” Holms said.
In preseason play, the Owls showed they can go out and compete in every game. The season is just four days away. The Owls look to hit the floor running and jump out to an early season win.
“The first game is out of conference and a different level of play. Does not matter. You still have to have the same mentality through all games,” Holms said.
