The Massachusetts Maritime women’s lacrosse program has enjoyed great growth and success since its inception as a varsity intercollegiate sport in 2012, and the Buccaneers are looking to continue that trend this spring under the guidance of fourth-year Head Coach Leslie Bushy, who welcomes back 11 letterwinners and nine starters into the fold.

One of the staples in the program’s development has been solid leadership, and Bushy will look to senior Molly Smith (Westwood, Mass./Westwood) and junior Kianna Carpenter (Sagamore Beach, Mass./Bourne) to provide that example in their role as Massachusetts Maritime’s co-captains in 2016.  Bushy, a former standout at Division II Bentley who led the Buccaneers to five overall victories a year ago, says “Molly and Kianna have proven to be valued and effective leaders of our program during their careers, and they are fully committed to keeping their teammates on the path to success on and off the field.  They provide a positive example that their teammates can emulate through their experience, hard work and dedication to achievement.”

Here’s a look at how things are shaping up for the 2016 edition of Buccaneer Women’s Lacrosse:

ATTACK.  Sophomore Stephanie Hunt (Brookfield, Conn./Brookfield) leads the way up front after shattering Massachusetts Maritime’s single-season records for goals (37) and points (53) during her rookie campaign, while junior Christina Murphy (Forestdale, Mass./Sandwich) netted 12 tallies and three helpers for 15 points in starting 10 of 14 contests.  Fellow junior Stephanie O’Connor (Westwood, Mass./Westwood) lends valuable experience for Bushy after collecting a goal in 13 appearances (seven starts) last spring, while junior Jaime Conroy (Lynn, Mass./Lynn Classical) and freshmen Brittany Munson (Tolland, Mass./Southwick-Tolland), Meghan Doherty (Malden, Mass./Malden) and Kirsty Gillis (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) will look to contribute on attack for the Buccaneers as newcomers.

MIDFIELD.  Smith paces an experienced group in the middle for Massachusetts Maritime after notching 18 goals and a career-high 33 points in 2015, while junior Ashley Solari (Sandwich, Mass./Sandwich) provides an additional veteran presence after scoring 25 goals and recording 31 points last spring.  Senior Shavonne Boyle (Doylestown, Pa./Archbishop Wood) also returns to the program after studying abroad last year, as she netted 20 goals and 17 assists for 37 points in 18 contests during the 2013 and 2014 seasons combined.

Sophomore Brianna Pingree (Mashpee, Mass./Mashpee) enjoyed a solid collegiate debut with 23 goals and 29 points in 12 contests played for Bushy, who also welcomes back junior Dahlia Seggelin (Sharon, Mass./Sharon) to the fold after she collected 11 markers and eight helpers for 19 points.  Freshman Erica Overstreet (Bridgewater, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) will also be vying for a midfield spot during her rookie season for the Buccaneers in 2016.

DEFENSE.  Carpenter keys Massachusetts Maritime’s defensive unit, which allowed six or fewer goals in five matches last spring, and she chipped in with a goal on the offensive side while notching 35 ground balls and a team-leading 18 caused turnovers.  Junior Cassandra Charpentier (New Bedford, Mass./Greater New Bedford Voke) and sophomore Jamie Hayes (Stonington, Conn./Stonington) provide additional experience after combining for 30 ground balls and 19 caused turnovers in 27 match appearances (21 starts), while freshman Jessica Neal (Kingston, Mass./Silver Lake) looks to impact the Buccaneer defensive corps during her inaugural collegiate season.

GOAL.  Sophomore Mikayla Correia (Dartmouth, Mass./Dartmouth) provides a solid last line of defense for Bushy, as she recorded 131 saves in 716 minutes of action for Massachusetts Maritime.  Correia started 10 of the Buccaneers’ 14 contests in 2015, as she earned Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week accolades after posting wins over Wheelock and MCLA last March as part of four overall wins in net on the season.

SCHEDULE.  Massachusetts Maritime will tackle a challenging 15-match slate this spring, as the Buccaneers will play nine of those contests in the friendly confines of Clean Harbors Stadium.  In addition to the season-opening Maritime Lacrosse Classic, Bushy’s squad will also entertain Coast Guard, SUNY-Purchase and Wentworth in non-league play while also entertaining MCLA, Westfield State, Framingham State and Fitchburg State in MASCAC action.

The Buccaneers begin their fifth varsity season of competition on Friday, March 11^th when Massachusetts Maritime hosts rival SUNY-Maritime in opening round play of the second annual Maritime Lacrosse Classic at Clean Harbors Stadium beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST.