Women's Lacrosse Adds Depth to Nations Best Squad

Author: Zach Foster

For the women's lacrosse team, winning is not simply an option, rather, for some, it is all they know. Coming into the 2003 season, the team holds the distinction of being not only back-to-back national champions but also being the proud owners of the nation's longest winning streak, which after Saturday's victory stands at 36 games.
Expectations are inevitably high for this year's squad, which consists of three preseason all-Americans, a strong senior core as well as seven talented first-years. The team is led by Head Coach Missy Foote, who in her 22nd year as head coach has won four NCAA championships in the last six years as well as five National Coach of the Year honors in the past nine seasons.
On the field, the team is led by senior co-captains Kate Perine on defense and Kristin Hanley on attack, both of whom contributed greatly in bringing the team two straight years of undefeated seasons.
Said Foote about her co-captains, "they simply know how to bring this team to the next level." Hanley, a pre-season all-American, led the team in points last year with 38 goals and 36 assists, while Perine is one of the nation's best defenders and the anchor of the team's zone defense system.
Other key contributors include senior attacker Char Glessner who was last year's third-leading point-getter and has been nominated for the Tewaaraton Award which is given to the best players in the nation, regardless of division. Senior Katie Simpson who is versatile in her abilities on the field and provides the team with flexibility also leads the team. Other senior contributors are Meg Bonney and Dalton Cox, who both add speed and experience to the squad. The midfield features preseason All-American Nuala O'Donohoe '04, who is both a great defender and attacker. Between the pipes is junior goaltender Sarah Grenert, who held one of the nation's best save percentages at .649.
While both the attack and midfield are bolstered by a solid group of upperclassmen, nearly the entire defensive unit of last year's undefeated team was lost to graduation. Such a loss has opened the door for a talented group of seven first-years, all of whom are expected to contribute, while filling the gaps left by strong senior athletes. Said Perine about the rookies, "a lot of our success will depend on how readily they adapt to their respective positions."
Through the leadership and dependability of a large senior class, coupled with talented underclassmen, the team seems destined for a three-peat. If things go as planned, the Middlebury women's lacrosse team will be securing their 50th straight win while claiming victory in the finals of the NESCAC tournament in early May.