2001 Women’s Lacrosse Season Outlook – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 21, 2001
The Ohio State women’s lacrosse team is on the rise. After posting the program’s second winning record at 9-7 last season, the 2001-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 2001 season will put the Scarlet and Gray on the lacrosse map.
“After posting our second-consecutive winning record last season, this team is building confidence everyday,” six-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 returns nine starters from last season. This group has only one senior, Celeste Cianfrani, the team’s leading scorer with 46 points on 25 goals and a team high 21 assists. A core of sophomores and juniors that have taken the program to new heights surrounds her.
“Our team and especially our attack is dominated by underclassmen,” Sue Stimmel said. “With the return of Megan Mirick and Erin Andersen plus Celeste Cianfrani, Tracey Bounds and Shannon Wilson we will be in good shape for the 2001 season.”
On the Attack
Cianfrani leads a strong attack group. With returning starters Tracey Bounds and Shannon Wilson, both sophomores, OSU has a potent offense. Co-leaders with 29 goals each Bounds and Wilson scored 39 and 45 points, respectively. In the wings are seniors Lindsay Kolesar, Erin Andersen and junior Candace Taglianetti. Andersen had 11 goals in five starts before a torn anterior cruciate ligament ended her season.
For the Defense
Junior Trish Derwart and sophomore Kimberly Lowe are returning starters on defense. Derwart scored 21 points off 14 goals and seven assists while Lowe had a team-high 36 caused turnovers.
In the Midfield
Juniors Lauren Cochran, Trisha Miller and Kylee Reade anchor the midfield position. Cochran led the midfield with 30 points on 27 goals and three assists. Miller had 25 groundballs and caused 18 turnovers while Reade had 15 points on 10 goals and five assists and had 34 groundballs and caused 24 turnovers. Adding to the depth in the midfield is sophomore Alexia Vogler and junior Megan Mirick. Vogler had six starts while collecting eight goals and five assists adding 26 groundballs and controlled the draw 19 times. Mirick started the first nine games before a torn anterior cruciate ligament ended her season. She had amassed 34 points on 24 goals and 10 assists at the time of her injury.
Defending the Goal
The Buckeyes are solid in goal with junior Megan Barnett. She started all 16 games and finished the season ranked 27th nationally in goals-against average with 9.73 goals per game. Barnett recorded OSU’s first two shutout in the history of the program last season against Bucknell and at Regis. Her backup is senior Stacey Williams who saw action in two games last season.
Newcomers
Seven freshmen join the squad for the 2001 campaign. Caroline Weatherill, Kelly Cook and Amy Tulk will add depth to the midfield, while Kelli Anne Kelly-Williams, Jodi Kurylo, Molly McLaughlin and Kate Cochran will support the defense. Tulk is one of the standouts of the incoming class. She is a member of the Canadian National Team.
Departed Seniors
The Buckeyes must fill the spots of three departing starters. Miranda James and Nikki Jones have departed from the midfield and Carla Pavone in the defense. James started 14 matches and collected 13 points on nine goals and four assists. Jones started all 16 games and had four points on two goals and two assists. Pavone started all 16 matches and had 35 groundballs and caused 27 turnovers.
Coaches Outlook
“We are very pleased again to have a winning season,” Sue Stimmel said. “We would have like to have won more games, but I believe some of our injuries kept us from winning some close games. However that allowed us to play some younger girls and get them some key experience.”
That should lead to an exciting season and continued winning ways.
