Keene State Laxwomen open season at St. Michael's on Saturday

            KEENE, N.H. 3/4/10 -  The surprise squad in the Little East Conference after capturing the program's first tournament title and NCAA berth last season, the Keene State College women's lacrosse team won't sneak up on anybody this spring.  

            "I definitely feel we have the bulls-eye on our back," said Katie Arsenault, Keene State's second-year coach.  "Other teams in the conference will be ready for us, so we're going to have to work that much harder."

            The Owls, who were picked first in the LEC preseason poll announced on Thursday, open their season with a non-conference game at St. Michael's College on Saturday (1 p.m.).

            "I am very excited to start the season because we have so much talent," said junior Jill Kirk.  "Our standards are pretty high from last season, but I think that will really drive us to do it again this year.  As the defending LEC champs, teams will definitely be coming after us, but that kind of competition really motivates our team."

            Despite the additional attention, Arsenault feels the Owls can have an encore performance.  KSC returns all but two starters for last year's 12-8 (5-1 LEC) squad that set a record for consecutive victories (8) and LEC regular season wins (5).

            With the return of All-LEC attackers Kirk, Jamie Albert, and Lauren Sawyer, Keene State should have no problem putting the ball in the net.  Kirk led the team in scoring with 48 goals, 13 assists, and 61 points. Albert, who set a KSC record with 10 goals against New England College, finished with 37 goals and 52 points, while Sawyer set Owl marks for assists in a game (8), season (59), and career (94). Emily Persano, a second-team All-LEC pick, also had a breakout year with 32 goals.

            The only senior on the squad, Dene Tully along with junior Jenny Lillis, and sophomore Samantha Benson lead an Owl midfield that has both size and speed.   Junior Annie Brown, a second-team LEC selection, Shannon Palumbo, and sophomore Amanda Keeley return to anchor KSC's defense. 

            The loss of All-LEC goalie Jen Gearing has created a vacancy between the pipes that will be filled by sophomore Alyssa Marinaccio and freshman Christine Collins. 

            Top newcomers include freshman midfielder Nicole Curry from Pinkerton Academy and Lauren Brown, a first-year defender from Agawam, Mass.

            Keene State will be road warriors for the first six games of the season.  After playing St. Michael's on Saturday, the Owls have a road game at Curry College before heading south for a pair of games in West Palm Beach Fla. during spring break. 

            KSC returns north for games at Springfield College and Franklin Piece.  They finally play their first home game of the season against Eastern Conn. on Sat., April 3.  The game will be a rematch of last year's LEC final won by Keene State 9-8 in overtime.