WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- Monmouth University's women's lacrosse team
garnered eight of nine possible first place votes as it was chosen to repeat as
Northeast Conference Champions in the 2013 NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
"I am excited we were chosen as preseason favorites this season, but to me we have to earn it every game," said Monmouth Head Coach Denise Wescott. "I think it is easier to get to the top than to stay at the top, and we have to work hard to get better every day, every game, every play."
The Hawks, who won their fourth NEC Tournament in 2012, received eight first
place votes followed by Quinnipiac ehivh received two. Mount St. Mary's was
third, Central Connecticut was chosen fourth followed by Robert Morris and
Sacred Heart in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Bryant was seventh, Wagner
eighth, Saint Francis University ninth and LIU Brooklyn was picked 10th
in the poll, which is voted on by the league's head coaches.
Monmouth wrapped up the 2012 season with five consecutive wins heading into its
matchup with Towson in the NCAA Tournament. Fourth-year coach Denise Wescott
returns eight starters from that team, including first team all-conference
midfielder Kaleigh Gibbons (Candia, N.H./Central/Robert Morris). The junior
finished with 47 points, a team-leading 22 assists, 35 ground balls and 18
caused turnovers.
Junior attacker Alex Marino (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Twp.) started all 20 games
last season, finishing with a team-high 48 points including 33 goals. Marino
was an offensive catalyst for the Hawks, registering at least a point in 17 of
20 games.
Senior-captain Gianna D'Urso (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex) leads a talented
defensive backfield for the Hawks. D'Urso was a First Team All-NEC selection a
season ago, when she had the fourth most caused turnovers in the league and had
36 ground balls. Joining D'Urso on defense is junior Lauren Johnson (Bellmore,
N.Y./Mepham) who locked up opposing offenses while recording 22 ground balls,
18 caused turnovers and gathering 14 draw controls.
Sophomore goalie Katie Donohoe (Peterborough, Ontario/Holy Cross Catholic
Secondary) had a breakout year as a freshman, earning NEC Tournament MVP honors
after allowing a tournament record seven goals.
Donohoe backstopped the Hawks with 165 saves and 52 ground balls while
being named to the NEC All-Rookie team.
"We have some great teams in this conference and I don't think any game will be easy," said Wescott. "I think every team has worked to improve so we should be in a dog fight again this year. There will be tough competition to get to the 4 teams that make the playoffs, so that has to be priority. We have a lot of returning talent and I hope our experience puts us in the hunt."
Wescott's team returns 20 letterwinners from a season ago and brought in a
talented class of nine newcomers.
The season begins for MU on February 16 when the Hawks host future conference
foe Fairfield at 12 p.m. on Kessler Field. Monmouth begins its NEC Title
defense on March 22, when the Hawks host LIU Brooklyn. The Northeast Conference
Tournament will be held on April 26-28 at the highest seed.
2013 Northeast Conference
Women's Lacrosse
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Monmouth (8)
2. Quinnipiac (2)
3. Mount St. Mary's
4. Central Connecticut
5. Robert Morris
6. Sacred Heart
7. Bryant
8. Wagner
9. Saint Francis U
10. LIU Brooklyn
