2002 Women’s Lacrosse Season Outlook – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
With 16 letter winners returning, including 9 starters from last season, the Ohio State women’s lacrosse team can look to the solid experience that the upper class players will bring to the field this season. Despite a 7-8 overall record in 2001, the outlook for 2002 shows promise.
On The Attack
Senior Megan Mirick showed her ability last season with 27 goals and 13 assists to top Ohio State in points with 40. Mirick and junior Tracey Bounds were starters last season. Bounds had 19 goals and six assists. Sophomore Carrie Weatherill (7-1-8) is expected to be an offensive threat this season. Senior Candace Taglianetti (2-0-2) saw action in six games. Denver transfer Noemi Hites (11-2-13) gives additional experience to the position. Sophomore Molly McLaughlin (0-0-0) and freshman Lindsey White will provide additional depth.
For The Defense
Seniors Trish Derwart and Trisha Miller and junior Kim Lowe anchor the defense. Derwart had 37 ground balls, 10 draw controls and caused 31 turnovers last season. Miller contributed 44 ground balls, eight draw controls and caused 24 turnovers. Lowe played in only six games last season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, but had 32 ground balls, 4 draw controls and caused 15 turnovers. Freshman Kathryn Kozlakowski is expected to contribute to the Buckeyes’ defense as well. Sophomores Kate Cochran and Jodi Kurylo saw support action last season. Cochran did a great job of stepping up to fill Lowe’s position. Four other freshmen are available to assist the defense. These include Kristin Andersen, Melissa Sands, Libby Schmehling and Rachel White.
In The Midfield
Four starters return to the midfield from last season. Seniors Lauren Cochran and Kylee Reade and juniors Alexia Vogler and Shannon Wilson provide a solid core for the Buckeyes. Cochran had 15 goals and five assists adding 41 ground balls, 43 draw controls and caused 15 turnovers. Reade had six goals and four assists. She added 40 ground balls, 13 draw controls and caused 28 turnovers. Vogler was fifth in scoring with 24 points on 17 goals and seven assists. She added 37 ground balls, 15 draw controls and caused 20 turnovers. Wilson was second in scoring last season with 29 points on 18 goals and 11 assists. She also contributed 26 ground balls, nine draw controls and caused 30 turnovers. Sophomores Kelly Cook and Amy Tulk provide additional depth and experience. Cook played in 14 matches and recorded 30 ground balls, five draw controls and caused 12 turnovers. Tulk scored 20 points on 15 goals and five assists. She added 27 ground balls, six draw controls and caused eight turnovers. Freshman Regina Oliver is having no trouble adapting to the fast pace of collegiate play. She will definitely be another threat in the midfield. Additional support will come from three other newcomers in freshmen Brin Blucher, Ashley Evans and Brandie Williams.
Defending The Goal
Freshman Erin Forquer will be the starting goalie. She played for the 2001 state champions, Shaker Heights. The Buckeyes will not have the services of three-year starter senior Megan Barnett who is injured. OSU has added senior field hockey goalie, Alison Blanton who took field hockey to a co-Big Ten championship last fall and won the Big Ten Tournament, receiving co-MVP honors for her play.
Departed Seniors
The squad loses three seniors, Erin Andersen, Celeste Cianfrani and Lindsay Kolesar that included two starters (Andersen and Cianfrani) from last season. Andersen was the third leading scorer from last season with 28 points on 24 goals and four assists. Cianfrani ends a great career as a player and will join the coaching staff of the Buckeyes. She was a Mid-Atlantic Regional All-American.
Conference Competition
Ohio State has joined six other squads to form the American Lacrosse Conference. Members include Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, Penn State, Davidson, Ohio University and Ohio State.
Ready To Play
The Buckeyes have a solid core of returning players with 9 of 12 starters returning. The experience and depth should provide a solid base for Ohio State to make a statement this season as they begin conference play.
