Women's Lacrosse Season Preview: Defense
2/20/2008 7:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 20, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland women's lacrosse team, which opens its 2008 season on Friday at UMass, is making its final preparations for its trip to the Bay State. Inside Lacrosse ranked the Terps No. 3 in the nation and Lacrosse Magazine has Maryland ranked fourth. The following is the final of three installments that will examine the Terps prior to the opener. Today's preview focuses on the defense with a closer look at the upcoming weekend, with game notes, later tonight.
DEFENSE
Senior captain Katie Pumphrey will lead the Terps defense into the 2008 season.
Pumphrey solidified her spot on the Maryland defense in 2007 as she started 19 of the 20 games she played in. She was fourth on the team with 34 ground balls and 21 caused turnovers.
With Pumphrey as the only returning starter, Maryland will rely on some new faces to step up.
"Our defense is exciting this year," Reese said. "We have several spots to fill and with that, we have seen a lot of great things this fall from many of our players. Our depth defensively is much stronger than it has been. You will see some new faces in there and lots of contributors."
Sophomores Katie Gallagher and Karissa Taylor have both really been stepping up in the offseason. Freshmen Alexcia Niumatalolo and Sara Cooper have also been impressing as well as Mindy Jones and Marie Moorman.
Taylor played an important reserve role for the Terps last year on defense playing in 16 games. She uses her great speed to disrupt her opponents in one-on-one situations.
Others that will be used on the back line include returners Megan Cassara, Maeve McKew, and Maggie Stout. The Terps also add transfers Abby Caso from William & Mary and Megan McGarvey from Ohio to the roster.
"Our defense is fast and extremely atheltic and will be a strength for us in 2008," Reese said.
GOALIE
A place where the Terps know they can rely on solid play is in the cage with senior Allie Buote returning for her third season as the starter. Last year, she racked up 167 saves for a .469 save percentage.
"As a senior goalie, Allie is stepping up to anchor this defense," Reese said. "Her instruction and communication skills go a long way especially with the younger players. Our defense this year will be fast, aggressive, smart, and composed and Allie will be a big part of that."
Juniors Lynne Cooper and Sarah Sommaripa will back up Buote in goal, both seeing time in four contests in 2007.
