The CHIMES

Issue date: 3/27/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Alysha Jones, '10 Women's lacrosse coach Amanda Nobis gestures to one of her players during a recent practice in the Rec Center. Nobis is off to a good start in her first year leading the Mustangs, as her team has won two of its first three games this season.

The women's lacrosse team is in its second season in the SUNYAC conference of the NCAA. The team looks to improve from last season's record of 4-10-0 with the help of first-year coach Amanda Nobis.

Nobis joins the team from Hamilton College, having gotten her lacrosse experience as a member of the LeMoyne College lacrosse team. As the assistant coach for the Hamilton College lacrosse team, Nobis helped guide the team to win a championship. At Morrisville, Nobis said, "Our biggest team goal is play hard every game."

The Mustang roster includes six freshmen, four sophomores and two juniors. Only two senior players participate this season, Jennifer Caffarelli and newcomer Elizabeth Fish. "I look to the seniors to be leaders," said Nobis. "We have a group of returning players who I look to guide us and have stood out so far this season. Everyone on the team needs to step up and help each other out."

Nobis said the most challenging part of the year will be having only 13 players on the roster. "If injuries come up, it will be tough for us," she said.

As a coach, Nobis said that she wants to see "team unity and steady improvement. I want to see the team pushing and helping each other throughout our games," Nobis said.

"We have a strong team bond, being a small team which will definitely help us in the long run. Team chemistry will be a vital part of the team's success this season."

Sophomore Jennifer May is starting her first year as goal keeper for the Mustangs this season. Nobis said, "She's brand new and she has stepped up for us. I believe that she has the right mindset; she will definitely be a leader on defense for us this season."

"My main goal is to basically come out every game and do my best," May said. "I think we will be good we have a lot of speed on the team everyone can run."

Sophomore defender Elizabeth Peck said, "I want to be one of the leaders on defense this year." Peck said even though the team is not of great size, "we are small but mighty."

With only five away games this season, the Mustangs started off by hosting Western Connecticut State on March 14, losing 13-10. They won their next two games, beating SUNY New Paltz 10-7 in a game set in Florida and winning at home over Wells College, 16-11.

Nobis said having the home field for most of the season will definitely help the team. "We will know the field better than some of the turf teams that we play. Playing on our own grass field will give us an edge."

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