2013 Statistics
2014 Roster
2014 Schedule

NEWBURGH, N.Y. – The Mount Saint Mary College women's lacrosse team opens its season today with a road contest at Hartwick College set to begin at 1 p.m. Head coach Julia Steese's first season at the helm of the women's lacrosse team was a major success and an enormous step in the right direction for the young program. The team finished with its first winning record at 10-8, including a 6-4 mark in Skyline Conference play, and featured three All-Skyline student-athletes. What makes all of this even better is that many of the players that contributed to last year's accomplishments are back this year for another run.

"Last year was a huge step forward for the program, not only making it to the Skyline Conference Championship tournament, but to also achieve the first winning season and the program's best record to date," said Steese. "Many of those who can be credited with the team's success a year ago are still on the team this year, and all of them are only going to get better."

The Knights' leading returner from a year ago is junior attack/midfielder Danielle Krupka (Northport, N.Y.), who picked up 29 points in 2013 on 21 goals and eight assists. Right behind her is senior midfielder Erica Massmann (West Babylon, N.Y.), who scored 20 goals and handed out six assists for 26 points. Both are very versatile players and will contribute on both sides of the field.

Sophomore midfielder Katie McGinnis (Shelton, Conn.) returns after an impressive freshman campaign that saw her score 21 goals. She also picked up a team-high 43 groundballs. Coach Steese believes she's primed to have a big season for the Knights.

"Katie has the intensity that we need on defense, but also has the awareness on the attack to not only thrive, but excel in any role she plays," said Steese.

Senior attack Nicole Palmieri (Elwood, N.Y.) will be looking to use her great shot to build off a 16-goal season. Joining her on the front line and also looking to have a much improved season is sophomore attack Jen Gries (Hicksville, N.Y.) who scored seven goals and dished out four assists a year ago. Sophomore attack Shannon McGuinness (Oceanside, N.Y.) will see more playing time this season, and her coaches believe she'll make some big contributions due to her great work ethic and strong lacrosse IQ.

Returning to head the defense are senior defender Molly Bauer (Levittown, N.Y.), sophomore defender Claire Duffy (Monroe, N.Y.) and sophomore defender Nicole Scicutella (Massapequa, N.Y.). The three combined for 100 groundballs last season and 45 caused turnovers. Scicutella also scored 15 goals, while Duffy threw in 10. Duffy was named to the All-Skyline First Team, while Scicutella earned Second-Team recognition.

The key to the team's defense will be sophomore goalkeeper Deirdre Ray (Belle Harbor, N.Y.). The team's starter for 13 of its 18 games last year, Ray stopped 76 shots with a goals-against average of 9.38 en route to an 8-5 overall record.

"Deirdre's been working hard on her goalkeeping in the offense, and so far it is paying dividends in practice," said goalkeeper coach Mike Lowell. "Her work ethic is sure to translate to success on the field."

This year's women's lacrosse team will have much improved depth compared to last season. Seven freshmen have joined the squad this year, along with three additional newcomers as well.
Freshman defender Amanda Clemens (Baldwin, N.Y.) has a chance to play a role early this season. Coach Steese said she has good speed in the backfield and into the transition, but she also brings a little extra to the table.

"Amanda's very loud and aggressive," said Steese. "She can be the extra oomph we need in the back."

Freshman midfielders Katie Gattoni (Old Tappan, N.J.) and Kayla Goman (Greenwich, N.Y.) are two rookies that will look to earn plenty of playing time in their first years. Gattoni is said to have a quick burst when driving to the cage, while Goman is hard-working and plays a smart midfield game. Freshman midfielder Vittoria DiBella (New Windsor, N.Y.) will add to the depth in the midfield while working to earn a larger role with the team.

Freshman attackers Fae Kuhnen (Bayside, N.Y.) and Grace Finan (Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J.) will have the opportunity to play multiple positions for the team. Kuhnen will also serve as the backup goalkeeper to Ray this season, while also trying to score for the Knights on the other end. Finan will see time on the attack for the Knights, but will also work on her midfield game as well. Freshman defender Courtney Blanton (Huntington, N.Y.) is set to help out the back line this season and push for a future starting position.

Joining the team for the first time this season are three student-athletes from other Knight athletic programs. Senior midfielder Tara McDermott (Tewksbury, N.J.) and junior attack/midfield Vanessa DiSilvio (Massapequa, N.Y.) were both part of the regular-season Skyline Conference champion women's soccer team. McDermott was named Skyline and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Defensive Player of the Year, while both she and DiSilvio were named All-Skyline athletes. Sophomore defender Ellen Hendricks (West Point, N.Y.) joins the team after playing in her first season on the women's tennis team in the fall.

After their opening contest at Hartwick, the Knights will play again on Thursday, Feb. 27, against Marywood University. They will then play five straight home game on Kaplan Field, beginning with a matchup with Ramapo College on Monday, March 3. They will open Skyline play at SUNY College at Old Westbury on Saturday, March 22. The Knights were voted to finish third in the Skyline Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, which would be the team's best-ever finish.

"We have a lot of talent and hard-working individuals on this team, as well as plenty of new emerging talent," said Steese. "It's going to be a great year. We've got really strong team chemistry, which leads to a very bright outlook for the coming season."

Follow the Knights on Twitter at @MSMCKnights