Women's Lacrosse Welcomes Back 10 Letterwinners, New Mentor In Bullis As Buccaneers Begin Second Varsity Campaign

Women's Lacrosse Welcomes Back 10 Letterwinners, New Mentor In Bullis As Buccaneers Begin Second Varsity Campaign

The second varsity season of Massachusetts Maritime women's lacrosse brings with it a new face at the helm, as former Bentley standout Leslie Bullis takes the Buccaneer reins this spring and welcomes back 10 letterwinners from last year's inaugural squad that captured a pair of victories on the field to go with two impressive accolades off of it—the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance and the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Awards.

 

Bullis, who took over last summer for Julie Rigo, will look to three members of the Massachusetts Maritime Class of 2013 to lead the way for a team that is comprised of 10 freshmen and sophomores, as seniors Kim Courcy (Warwick, R.I./Warwick), Shelagh Hogan (North Andover, Mass./North Andover) and Anna Whittemore (Weatogue, Conn./Simsbury) will serve as the Buccaneers' tri-captains this spring.  Bullis describes the trio as "committed to the continued growth and development of our program.  They have instilled the values of hard work, integrity and character in their teammates both on and off the field, and they are helping to build upon our foundation for success."

 

Here's a look at how things are shaping up for the 2013 edition of Buccaneer Women's Lacrosse:

 

ATTACK.  Senior Sarah Derrane (Utica, N.Y./New Hartford) is the top returning performer up front for Massachusetts Maritime, as she notched eight goals in 15 match appearances a year ago.  Hogan moves up front from her midfield spot after starting 13 of 15 matches last spring, while sophomore Jillian Petrarca (Manutuck, R.I./South Kingstown) lends additional experience after appearing in nine contests as a rookie.  Freshmen Casey Hunter (Rockland, Mass./Rockland), Janine Prokscha (Washington, Conn./Gunnery Prep), Molly Smith (Westwood, Mass./Westwood), Shavonne Boyle (Doylestown, Pa./Archbishop Wood) and Emily Behen (Danvers, Mass./Danvers) will also be vying for spots in the Buccaneer attack in their respective inaugural collegiate campaigns.

 

MIDFIELD.  Courcy led the way in the scoring column for Massachusetts Maritime from the midfield last season, as she netted 32 goals and a pair of assists for 34 points.  Sophomore Elise LaBonte (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) also returns after appearing in eight matches in 2012, while the tandem of Petrarca, Hunter, Prokscha, Smith, Behen and freshman Michaela Curtin (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) will also see time in both the middle and attack spots for Bullis this spring.

 

DEFENSE.  Whittemore anchors the Buccaneer defensive unit after collecting 16 ground balls and starting 12 of 13 contests a year ago, while junior Jenelle Piche (Coventry, R.I./Coventry) lends additional experience after appearing in 13 matches as well.  Sophomores Kelsey Lombardi (Forestdale, Mass./Upper Cape Tech) and Laura Marin (West Yarmouth, Mass./Cape Cod Tech) each appeared in 14 outings as freshmen and combined for 17 ground balls, while freshmen Sarah Lewis (Deer Park, Ill./Barrington), Jenna Breault (Buzzards Bay, Mass./Bourne), Amanda Subenko (Braintree, Mass./Braintree) and Dominique Dertiew (Oviedo, Fla./Balboa Academy) will also look to contribute during their first season of action.

 

GOAL.  Sophomore Deb Langley (Abington, Mass./South Shore Voke) provides a solid last line of defense for Massachusetts Maritime, as she recorded seven total saves in two outings as a freshman and moves to the cage from the midfield spot where she netted a goal and four assists for five points.

 

SCHEDULE.  The Buccaneers will now compete in the newly formed MASCAC that also includes former NEWLA members Bridgewater State, Fitchburg State, Framingham State, Salem State, Westfield State and Worcester State.  Additionally, Bullis' crew will play nine non-league matches, including home dates with SUNY-Maritime, Nichols, Regis, Wheelock and Elms.