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WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM
Top: Senior midfielder Kat Carella defends the
Lynchburg pass. Carella, one of the most versatile
players on the team, will fill as many positions as
possible this season.
Bottom: Senior attacker Katie Oliver uses her
superior speed to break free and head down the field.
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By Michael McVane
Staff Writer
The scoreboard read 18-7 after a grueling loss against Virginia
Wesleyan College in the first round of the 2011 women's lacrosse
Old Dominion Athletic Conference playoffs. For the team last
season it was a hard loss, and one that will remain in their minds
as they prepare for their spring 2011 season.
The women's lacrosse team was 6-4 in the ODAC and 6-11
overall last season, and is hoping to improve that record with the
leadership of their senior class.
"We have a very strong senior class, most are three or four-year
starters," said Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Matthew Grosso.
Returning six senior starters and adding one junior transfer and
five first-year players, the team is loaded with talent.
One of the key parts of the team this year is going to be senior
Summer Frazier. Frazier was the second-leading scorer on the
team last year, tied for seventh in the ODAC. She was also the
leader in draw controls, and after the first game this year will
break Guilford's draw control record with 161.
Frazier ended last season being the team leader in draw
controls with 55. She was also a huge contributor on the
offensive end with 40 goals and 11 assists, placing her second on
the team with 51 points.
'This year, I want the team to really work together all over
the field," said Frazier when asked about the team goals. "We
have a lot of talent and can do really great things when we work
together."
Frazier also has a list of personal achievements in her sights.
First on her short list are, "beating the draw control record this
year, having more assists and picking up more ground balls,"
said Frazier. Also, her pre-game ritual is to eat wheat pasta and
salad for game-day meals. The morning of the game, she makes
sure to eat a good balance of protein and carbohydrates.
Another player to keep your eyes on this season is senior Kat
Carella, one of the emotional leaders on the team.
Carella, a Mass, native, has been a force for the team on
defense and in the midfield.
With her sister Liz coming back as a sophomore this season,
the tandem will be another bright mark for the Quakers.
"(In Kat's) first few years we had her on defense, but due
to many injuries last year we moved her up to midfield and it
turns out that she was an incredible offensive threat as well,"
said Grosso.
Kat was a very flexible player for the team. Last season, she
was fourth on the team with 18 goals and two assists, finishing
with 20 team points on the season.
One of the most versatile players on the team this season
is Sarah Bradburd. A three-year starter, Bradburd has played
almost every position for the team.
She has been a helpful asset on both the offensive and
defensive sides of the field. In 2009, her fimt season with
Guilford, she was named the Quaker rookie of the year.
Last season, Bradburd received ODAC honorable mention
honors to top off a very productive season. She started every
game for the Quakers in the 2010 season and racked up 20 goals,
scooped up 24 ground balls and caused 16 turnovers. She will be
one of the keys to Guilford's success this year.
E'leyna Garcia was a force on offense as a first-year. She led
the team in points with 64, scored 45 goals and dished out 19
assists.
Garcia also earned the honor of 2011 Guilford Rookie of the
Year and ODAC honorable mention honors to cap off a first
season that has her in contention to break a myriad of Quaker
records.
"She is an incredible athlete," said Grosso. "She has great size
and strength; she is the whole package."
'Team goals this year are to make it past the first round
of ODAC playoffs and to maximize all of our potential this
season," Garcia said.
The season opener will begin with the Quaker Lacrosse
Challenge against Pfeiffer University and Belmont Abbey
College on Feb. 11 at 11:30 a.m.
"We have the talent to compete with anyone in our conference
this year," said Grosso. "The dynamics of the team are right and,
if we stay healthy, we will be in good shape."
"We want to be competitive this year like always," said
sophomore midfielder Rebecca Colley. "We are trying to build
the program; it has been seven years of stagnant win/loss
records and it's time to get the program rolling. We are going to
work hard this year to prove ourselves."
With the season just around the comer, the anticipation and
excitement for the 2012 season is building.
SPORTS
Brittany Drew
27 points - 8 rebounds
Jazlyn Gibbs
31 points --,9 rebounds
4 assists - I steal
Morgan King
34 points - 20 rebounds
- I steal - 4 blocks
Gabriel Lowder
36 points - 4 rebounds
I assist-2 steals
Chad Norton
Top Ten Finish - 8th -
3000 meter run (8:52.67)
Jaciyn Nucci
12 points - 14 rebounds
- 3 assists - I steal - 3
blocks
Gabby Oglesby
31 points - 23 rebounds
- 3 assists - ! steal - 9
blocks
Dylan Skinner
Top Ten Finish -8th
mile fun (8:52.67)
Johnathan Smith
Top Ten Finish - 2nd - 60
meter dash (6:95)
Carson Sullivan
10 points - 5 rebounds
3 assists - I steal
I
Players are listed In alphabetical order by last
name. Individuals' statistics are from the past
week's games.
Photos courtesy of Guilfordquakers.com