By Chris Ferrick-Manley, Sports Co-Editor
The Green Terror women’s lacrosse team has picked up where they left off after winning the ECAC title for the South Region last spring, starting off the season 5-2 (1-1 in Centennial Conference play).
Head coach Muffie Bliss’ goal this year is to win the Centennial Conference, a goal that will not be easy for the Terror women. Also in the stacked conference are Gettysburg and their #4 national ranking, and defending national champion Franklin and Marshall who hold the #1 ranking. F&M already defeated McDaniel 23-2 earlier this season.
“Conference opponents are always the hardest,” said Bliss, who has never beaten Gettysburg and has not beaten F&M since 2003.
The fifth-year head coach does believe that her team has the ability to beat any other team on any given day, if they “bring their A game”.
Key scorers for the team include senior captain Kerrie Wuenschel, and sophomore Brittany Baer who was named the Centennial women’s lacrosse player of the week for the week ending March 9.
Chelsea Ferruzi and Stephanie Sudbrook are midfielders who Bliss said “can place the draw wherever they want.”
Defensively, Ceri Miller, Lee Oliver, and Erin McDonnell earned praise from their coach.
“Three core players who have helped get our defense off on the right foot,” she said.
In addition senior captain Sarah White is the goal keeper who averages a 50 percent save average.
Wuenschel shares her coach’s optimism for the season, believing that the team has a realistic shot of winning the conference.
“Our coaches say this is the most talent they’ve seen since they’ve been coaching,” said Wuenschel, “Our goal is to finish first.”
Lee Oliver, who is the third senior captain on the team, sees her team with a top three finish in the conference.
“If not in the conference finals, top three,” said Oliver.
Oliver, who was Second Team Centennial Conference and Second Team Regional All-American at defender last year, believes this young team that starts two to four freshmen every game has a chance to accomplish something that the upperclassmen have yet to do namely beat either Gettysburg or F&M.
“We’re young but I think we’re going to do well,” said Oliver, “It’s a really competitive conference.”
The next home games are today at 4 p.m. and April 5 at 12 p.m. The Terror plays #4 Gettysburg at Gettysburg on April 9 at 7 p.m.