MILTON, Mass. – The Curry College women's lacrosse team enters its first season under Head Coach Anne O'Bryne and is coming a 2018 campaign where they went 4-11 overall, including 1-7 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC). With a duo of CCC All-Conference selections returning along with multiple talented upperclassmen and newcomers, the Colonels look forward to the promise of the upcoming season.
Read Coach O'Bryne's Season Outlook Below:
Players To Watch On Your Team
Junior Abby Dubel (Wolfeboro, N.H.) is a two-time all-conference selection who has strong low defense and strong fitness. She is also motivating and focused who brings high standards and unwavering hard work to the team. Last season, she led the team in goals (33), ground balls (64), and draw controls (90).
Junior captain Kayla Merritt (Attleboro, Mass.) has a great long shot with a great game sense and ability to read the field. As a junior captain, she commands respect and loyalty from her teammates. Her relatability allows her to transcend cliques and unify her team.
Junior Leona Stevens (Kingston, Mass.) is the team's returning point leader with 44 on 29 goals and 15 assists. Stevens is a high attack who brings style and confidence to her play. Her stick handling is one of the best on the team and her ability to fight to the goal allows for incredible shot placement will be invaluable this season.
Freshman Sharon Doherty (North Easton, Mass.) plays like she's been on the team her whole life. She has confidence in her high attack, taking skillful and difficult shots with an incredible amount of success. She is fearless and will look to her to weave through low defense and place the tough shot for the goal.
Top Returning Players
Sophomore Colleen Donnelly (Atkinson, N.H.), a 2018 Second Team All-CCC selection, will provide strong low defense. Donnelly has strong fitness on both fast breaks and has strong stamina. She also has great communication with her teammates. Donnelly played in 14 games last season. She tallied three goals, 42 ground balls, and had 17 caused turnovers.
Sophomore Katie Tarr (Atkinson, N.H.) has strong fitness, great stick work, and strong transitional defense. Tarr saw time in 10 games last season, making one start. She tallied one goal and three assists for four points. Additionally, she picked up six ground balls, and four caused turnovers.
Expectations For Season
My expectations for the season are high. Coming off of last year, I think the team is hungry for success. That hunger coupled with the new atmosphere we are building will promote positive on-field and off-field experiences for the program. With a community that is centered on respect and commitment, I believe this team can capitalize on its strengths to be successful.
Our skill set is developed and I think with fresh eyes we will be able to coach this team to play to one another's strengths, while also respecting our weaknesses.
I expect this team to leave it on the field every day and night. If we can do that, we will see the results we want on the schedule.
Who in League To Look Out For
Endicott and Roger Williams are strong teams in the CCC. Endicott is big and physical. Roger Williams has developed and diverse stick handling while Western New England, University of New England, Salve Regina, and Gordon are all good teams that can all compete with one another. I think we can be up with Endicott and Roger Williams. This may be a lofty goal, but I think it's a matter of confidence and digging deep during tough games.
Talk About Coaching Staff
As a coaching staff, we are two newcomers: (me) and Erin Campbell.
Erin and I have coached together for a long time. We complement each other in almost every way. She brings a ton of experience to the table, as she's been playing or coaching at the collegiate level since her first year at Babson.
She's a tireless student of the game, hates to lose, and keeps me sane when I need a sounding board. She's not afraid to disagree with me but always demonstrates respect and professionalism.
Julia Coakley is our sole returning coach. Julia has experienced a stark transition during her time at Curry and I think her knowledge of the team and their previous experiences is invaluable. Julia brings knowledge to the goalie position that we will utilize heavily, as I think goalies need the individual attention to develop their skill sets.
Curry, who was picked seventh in the CCC Preseason Coaches' Poll, opens the 2019 season on Tuesday, March 5 at home against Dean at 4:00 p.m.
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