Women's Lacrosse To Host Green Mountain College In 2010 Season Opener

               Women's Lacrosse To Host Green Mountain College In 2010 Season Opener

The Matchup: Green Mountain College Eagles (0-1) vs. Elms College Blazers (0-0)
Date: Sunday, March 14
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Site: Leary Field (Chicopee, Mass.)
Click here for directions to Elms College
All-Time Series: Green Mountain leads the all-time series 1-0.
Last Meeting: Green Mountain won the first meeting between the schools, 15-5 on March 15, 2009 in Chicopee, Mass.

Setting The Scene: In 2010, the central focus for the Elms College women’s lacrosse team is clear: rise above the expectations. The 2010 edition of the women’s lacrosse team features five seniors, two juniors, eight sophomores and three freshmen. The Blazers will be anchored by its three captains, seniors Ashley Ziemba (Chicopee, Mass.), and Melissa Pava (Springfield, Mass.) and sophomore Emily McInerney (Glastonbury, Conn.).

Scouting The Opposition: Green Mountain, a member of the North Atlantic Conference (NAC), takes the field Sunday 0-1 to begin its 2010 campaign. The Eagles dropped an 11-7 decision to Becker College on Saturday, March 13 in their season opener. Following a 5-5 record in only their second season as a varsity sport, the Eagles were chosen to finish second in the NAC East Division. Green Mountain received two first-place votes and 16 total points in the conference coach’s poll.

NEWLA At A Glance: Two-time defending champion Bridgewater State was selected as the women's lacrosse preseason favorite of the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) in a vote conducted by the league's coaches. The Bears received seven first place votes for a total of 63 points. Bridgewater State, one of only two institutions to have won a NEWLA championship since 1998, returns eleven starters including the 2009 NEWLA Defensive Player of the Year of the Year and 2008 NEWLA Offensive Player of the Year. Here is a look at how the rest of the poll shaped out: Castleton (56), Westfield State (48), Worcester State (37), Fitchburg State (31), Framingham State (28), Becker (16), and Elms (9).
 
Attacking The Net: The attacking corps will be anchored by Pava, junior Jennifer Lough (Feeding Hills, Mass.) and Ziemba. Ziemba will be making the move from point on defense, to the attacking position where she can resume her leadership skills. Lough, who was twice named to the weekly New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Honor Roll, led the Blazers with 22 goals in 2009. Lough and Pava will also see some action in the midfield this season.

Home Sweet Home: Elms opens its 2010 slate with four of its five games in March at home, including the season opener against Green Mountain College on March 14. The Blazers’ three other home games in March are against non-conference opponent Mount Ida (March 20), and NEWLA foes Castleton State College (March 27) and Fitchburg State College (March 30).    

Keeping Track of Blazers' Athletics: For the latest news, notes and statistics on all 15
intercollegiate teams at Elms College, visit our athletics website at http://athletics.elms.edu/landing/index.