Fresno State Athletics
Lacrosse Team Looks To Take Next Step
2/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 15, 2011
FRESNO STATE at No. 13 Stanford
When: Wednesday, Feb. 16
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Cagan Stadium (Stanford, Calif.)
Carlee Buck and Lindsay Gotham were sitting inside Buck's office, both munching on a mid-afternoon snack, when the subject of goals and expectations for the 2011 season came up.
Gotham hardly hesitated before delivering a succinct response they both shared.
"We want to get our first win. Period," Gotham said.
As the Fresno State women's lacrosse team prepares to begin the season, the goal is clear: the Bulldogs want to find their way into the victory column.
The program, now in its third year, has generated undeniable growth. But now, Buck and Gotham, who are sharing coaching duties as interim co-head coaches, say earning that elusive first win is a "realistic expectation."
"(Our players) can't wait to see what it feels like," Buck said.
Added Gotham: "It's realistic this year. It's more real."
There is a reason for that, and it has everything to do with time and talent. Now in its third season, the lacrosse program is beginning to establish its roots. The Bulldogs are starting to recruit not only standout athletes but those with a solid background in lacrosse, a boon they couldn't necessarily count on before.
"Each year, we're bringing in more and more lacrosse players," Gotham said. "The first year, we got athletes with athletic skills but not lacrosse skills. Now, we're growing each year."
Consider Fresno State's freshman class Exhibit A.
The Bulldogs are welcoming five new players into the fold this season, all of whom are expected to make an impact. Kara Concheck, Rachel Minarovich, Lisa Barnaba, Briana Hetherington and Ashley Phillips will all make their Fresno State debut when the Bulldogs open regular-season play in February. According to Buck, Barnaba, a four-year letter winner from John Carroll School (Bel Air, Md.) will provide some relief in the goal.
That said, they will also rely heavily on experience. Fresno State features the talents of five seniors, including team captains Krisdina Gehring and Jennifer Smith. Junior Callie Seidman is also a team captain this season.
A defender, Gehring heads into the season looking to build on a watershed junior campaign in which she became the first player in Fresno State history to earn all-conference honors. Gehring was named to the All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation second team after finishing second in the MPSF in caused turnovers per game at 1.93 per game and leading the Bulldogs in that category with 27.
"She works hard and wants to be the best," Buck said.
Smith played in all 14 games last season and was named to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Academic team. Senior Heather Jack played in all 14 games and scored four goals in 2010 before earning MPSF Academic All-Conference honors, while senior Amira Ferrell joined Jack on the MPSF academic list and made three starts last season.
The Bulldogs will also count on key contributions from a host of sophomores, a group that wasted little time asserting itself. As freshmen, they accounted for 46 of Fresno State's 62 goals and 18 of its 25 assists. Amada Cross led the way with 20 goals and four assists, and Margaret Wolford, who was named the team's Offensive MVP, had 10 goals and four assists. Sara Weber recorded six goals, while Natalie Harrington and Sophie Walker combined for seven assists.
On the defensive end, sophomore goalie Katie Wilbur is looking to parlay the valuable experience she gained last year into an even bigger role.
"(Katie) brings a sense of composure to our defense," Gotham said. "She has a sense of calm about her, and that makes a huge impact on our last line of defense."
Put it all together, and the 2011 season figures to be one of newfound promise and accomplishment.
"We're finding the leadership we need to put everything together," Buck said. "All of the pieces are starting to come together now."
"We Are Your Team!"-- The Fresno State women's lacrosse team kicks off the 2011 season Wednesday night at Stanford. For more information, visit gobulldogs.com.
