CU to Open Season Against Monmouth, Lafayette

The 2008 season opener for Columbia women’s lacrosse produced drastically different results for its participants. On one side was Monmouth, which squeaked out an 11-10 win over Columbia, finished second in the Northeast Conference, and came within one goal of playing in the NEC title game. On the other side was Columbia, which ended the year a far cry from playing in any tournament, much less at the top of any standings.

One year later, the programs will clash again to begin the Light Blue season in a home opener. It will be head coach Kerri Whitaker’s first look at a retooled roster missing star midfielder Marisa Marcellino, as well as starting defenders Kristen Teatom and Dana Riley, all of whom graduated.

Even without Marcellino, Columbia still boasts the powerful duo of Holly Glynn and Brittney Shannon, who combined for 79 goals and 95 points in 2008. Joining them will be Rachael Ryan, who missed all but one game last year due to injury. Ryan will man the middle of the field alongside returning starters Megan Donovan and Krista Giannattasio. Caroline Van den Berg will lead a defensive unit short on experience, while Emma Mintz returns for her second season as a starter in the goal.

Monmouth comes into Friday’s contest with only one result recorded in 2009. The team was blitzed by Fairfield on Feb. 22, falling 17-8. The Stags peppered Hawk goalie Monica Johnson with 45 shots, 36 of them on goal, earning an easy win. It was a marked change from a 2008 Hawks team that routinely held its opponents to under 10 goals per game. Then again, a lot has changed from last year’s Monmouth team. Megan Nutter and her team-best 51 goals and 67 points have left—so have starting defenders Jackie Trainer and Jessica Picciuto, as well as attacker Brittany Scott.

Despite the loss of Nutter, Monmouth’s offense should still have some punch. Rachel Feirstein, who was second on the team in goals with 46—despite being a freshman—forms a potent midfield attack along with Megan Brennan and Ali Pollock. Shawn Evans will take Brennan’s place as the team’s primary attacker, while Erin Marley and Danielle Hawkins will anchor a defense that lost half its starters from 2008.

After hosting Monmouth, Columbia will travel to Easton, Pa. to take on winless Lafayette. The Leopards were just 2-15 last year and are off to a similar start in 2009, sitting at 0-3 with blowout losses to Penn State and St. Joseph’s followed by a close shoot-out with Marist. The Leopards totaled 14 goals against the Red Foxes after scoring only nine goals total against the Nittany Lions and Hawks. Erin Steel leads Lafayette in scoring with four goals, all off of the bench, while Lauren Brown has chipped in four goals and three assists. Defense has brought disaster for Lafayette—the team has let in 52 goals already, with starting goalkeeper Emily Bjork allowing 42 of those tallies.

Columbia will take on Monmouth at home on Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. Sunday’s game against Lafayette will start at 1 p.m. at Rappolt Field.