Head Coach John McCloskey believes that every team in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) has gotten better. McCloskey also believes that with five returning All-CSAC players and some talented newcomers, the Cyclones women's lacrosse team will also improve and can be in the hunt for the CSAC championship.
Last season the Cyclones continued the program's success by going 9-5 overall and 6-2 in CSAC play, earning them the number four seed in the conference tournament where Centenary fell to the fifth seeded Neumann University. The season featured big wins over Gwynedd-Mercy, who would go on to win the CSAC Tournament, and Farmingdale State. Centenary returns a bulk of their offense for 2012, with players who accounted for 177 of the 210 goals coming back.
Leading the way for the Cyclones will be the midfield led by senior midfielder Danielle Bay who McCloskey sites as one of the best overall lacrosse players he has coached at Centenary. Bay led the team in goals (44) and points (57) last year leading to her being named to the All-CSAC First Team. Joining Bay at midfield will be junior Alysia Pinkerton who scored 27 times and assisted on eight others, and a talented freshman, Brittlyn Dendy.
In addition to the midfield which McCloskey believes is the top strength of the team, McCloskey also has high expectations for his attack. With juniors Meredith Bruce, Allie Swartz and Nicole Judd returning, McCloskey believes the addition of freshman Rebecca Balfour will continue the offensive production the Cyclones have experienced in years past. Bruce finished the season with offensive production paralleling Bay nearly perfectly, as Bruce tallied 42 goals and 13 assists helping the Cyclones' attack. Swartz contributed with 36 goals and 16 assists, as Judd, who McCloskey says has improved every aspect of her game, added 18 goals a year ago.
Defensively the Cyclones are looking to work in eight players in front of goal this year. The Cyclones will benefit from an experienced group of defenders including seniors Chelsea Gummerson, Kellie Dugan, and Kim Kupper as well as juniors Andrea Senkarik, Kellie Rose and Arden Wright. The experienced defense will help pave the way for the newcomers, freshman Nikki Gillis, and senior Kelsey Walter, a four year member of the volleyball team, who is new to McCloskey's team. McCloskey states that Dugan and Wright will slide up onto offense on occasion as well.
Coach McCloskey, an offensive minded coach says he looks to continued improvement from the defense and in goal this season, crediting Assistant Coach Rachel Peregrim for her efforts.
"There were many years where I didn't have a defensive coach. Rachel is our defensive coordinator and she has developed a special relationship with the ladies who play defense. She has done a great job in that area."
In goal for Centenary will be junior Danielle Trucksess who is relatively new to the position after playing on defense previously. McCloskey is impressed with her progress and believes her unorthodox style can benefit the Cyclones, stating that most good goalies are a bit unorthodox.
Leading the Cyclones onto the field this season will be Captains, Bay, Rose, Pinkerton, and Judd. McCloskey states that with good leadership, the 2012 season looks promising.
"The team has a good chemistry right now. This group listens and learns and has a special energy that comes forth in and out of practice," states McCloskey. "It can be a fun spring."
McCloskey believes the Cyclones, who fell in the first round of the CSAC Tournament, will be in the top half of the CSAC again this season, however points out the competitiveness of the conference.
"Marywood in my opinion is head and shoulders above the rest of the conference in terms of talent and history," says McCloskey. McCloskey also points to Gwynedd-Mercy, Neumann, Cabrini and Immaculata as teams who will all be in the mix along with Centenary.
McCloskey believes the Cyclones have a great amount of potential. He believes if there was a little more depth to the roster, Centenary would be a favorite to win the CSAC, but with a smaller roster of 16 players, the potential to win the conference remains, but many things will need to break right for the Cyclones including remaining healthy. McCloskey is proud of the direction his team leaders have taken the team recently stating the program now has quality leadership and discipline and wants to work hard.
"When I give them a day off, they wonder why," explains a proud McCloskey. With the strong work ethic and an experienced group of returning players with proven ability, the Cyclones 2012 season looks to be an exciting, successful campaign.
The Cyclones open the season at home on Saturday, March 3rd versus SUNY-Canton. Centenary will play four non-conference games to start the season before opening CSAC play versus Cedar Crest College on March 19th.