2000 Season Outlook – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/17/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 17, 2000
The Ohio State women’s lacrosse team is on the rise. After posting the program’s best ever record at 10-5 last season, the 2000 squad looks to top that and break into the national polls for the first time. Through speed, strength, skill and experience, the Buckeyes hope that the 2000 season will put the Scarlet and Gray on the lacrosse map.%^$
%^$”After posting our first winning record last season, this team is building confidence everyday,” fifth-year head coach Sue Stimmel said. “Our goal is to start where we left off last year and break into the polls for the first time.”%^$
%^$The Buckeyes return 13 letterwinners from last year’s team, which won five out of its last six games, including an upset over than No. 19- ranked Vanderbilt. Highlighting the group of returnees are defender Miranda James and attacker Erin Andersen. James became the first All-American in the history of the Ohio State program. She was named a second team Mid-Atlantic Regional All-American for her defensive efforts. Andersen returns for her junior season as the leading scorer off last year’s team. She scored an OSU single-season record 53 points off 36 goals and 17 assists. The duo should be Ohio State’s leading contenders for All-America honors.%^$
%^$LARGEST, TOUGHEST SCHEDULE IN HISTORY
%^$The team will play the most regular season games in the program’s history–16. The Buckeyes will also face the toughest schedule in the program’s five year history. The Scarlet and Gray will face six opponents that were ranked in the final IWLCA poll.%^$
%^$”We have two goals we want to accomplish against the teams on our schedule,” Stimmel said. “To get the national recognition we want, we have to beat all of the unranked teams on our schedule. Our second goal is to pull off some upsets and beat half of the ranked teams on our schedule. We will only get better by playing some of the top competition in the country. We believe we have assembled a schedule that will allow us to accomplish our two goals.”%^$
%^$Ohio State’s schedule includes games against No. 3 Penn State, No. 9 North Carolina, No. 15 Syracuse, No. 17 Boston University, No. 20 Virginia Tech and Division II power Gannon. The Buckeyes will have the difficult task of playing their last four games on the road, including games at North Carolina, Vanderbilt and Syracuse.%^$
%^$YOUNG, BUT EXPERIENCED
%^$The Buckeyes return only four seniors for the 2000 season. However, they do return 10 starters who are sophomores or juniors.%^$
%^$”We are a young team, but we have young players that got experience last year,” Stimmel said. “We got the opportunity to play and even start many of our freshman last year which is going to make them very confident this season. We only have four seniors, but we are counting on those four seniors for leadership.”%^$
%^$BETWEEN THE PIPES
%^$Megan Barnett returns as a seasoned sophomore in goal for the Buckeyes. Barnett started all 15 games as a freshman in 1999. She recorded 154 saves for a save percentage of .544. Her goals-against average of 9.00 was good enough for a No. 23 NCAA ranking.%^$
%^$”Megan is playing with great confidence,” Stimmel said. “Having that one year of experience will help her tremendously. She has seen some of the top teams like North Carolina and Penn State so she will know what to expect.”%^$
%^$DEFENSE INTACT
%^$The entire defensive unit from the 1999 season returns for the Buckeyes in 2000. The defense will be led by All-American Miranda James. Other key returning defenders are seniors Nicki Jones and Carla Pavone and junior Jessica Zarzycki. The Buckeyes have added depth at the defender position with the addition of freshman Kim Lowe.%^$
%^$”Our entire defensive unit from last year is back,” Stimmel said. “Their experience will guide this team. The depth we have on defense will allow us to be more aggressive.”%^$
%^$SUPER SOPHS
%^$The OSU midfield will run-and-gun this season like the unit did last year. Megan Mirick will lead the Buckeye midfield in 2000. She returns as the most prolific single-season goal scorer in Ohio State history, coming off her freshman campaign, in which she scored 39 goals. Miranda James will also see time at the midfield position.%^$
%^$”Our midfielders are the key to our team,” Stimmel said. “They will set the pace for our offense and our defense. We have an extremely quick midfield, especially when you add Miranda to the mix. We have added depth and speed to that unit with the addition of freshman Alexia Vogler.”%^$
%^$Sophomores Kylee Reade, Lauren Cochran and Trisha Miller all started last year at the midfield position.%^$
%^$”Our midfield is very young,” Stimmel said. “Not many Division I schools have four sophomores starting in their midfield. They have all gained speed, strength and confidence and will be a big threat for other teams to worry about.”%^$
%^$ATTACKING RECORDS
%^$Ohio State will be led by Erin Andersen and Celeste Cianfrani on attack. The Buckeyes set a new record for goals scored in a season last year with 197. Andersen and Cianfrani were a big part of that attack, scoring 36 and 32 goals, respectively.%^$
%^$”Our three top goal scorers are back,” Stimmel said. “Mirick along with Erin and Celeste will give us a potent attack. We also get Tracey Bounds back who sat out with a knee injury last year. Tracey may have been our best freshman before last season. Shannon Wilson coming in will add more depth to an already very good attack. She played for the Canadian Under-19 team.”%^$
%^$THE ROOKIES
%^$Ohio State adds six newcomers to its roster for the 2000 season. All of the newcomers come to Ohio State with good high school experience. Alexia Vogler and Shannon Wilson highlight the group of newcomers. Vogler a midfielder from Ellicott City, Md., was a first-team all-county selection as a senior. Wilson is OSU’s second international player from Canada. She helped contribute to Team Canada’s bronze medal performance at the Under-19 World Cup.%^$
%^$”Most of our newcomers will see significant playing time this season,” Stimmel said. “We are especially looking for big things out of Alexia and Shannon. Alexia is a great midfielder with great speed and unbelievable endurance. Shannon was one of the main reasons Team Canada placed third at the World Cup this summer. She will be a great addition to an already very potent attack. We are looking for big things out of this year’s freshman class. We hope they can give us depth and contribute.”
