Lacrosse Ready for 2020 Season

Lacrosse Ready for 2020 Season

1.28.20 | Women's Lacrosse

PHILADELPHIA - With the 2020 season fast approaching, the Temple lacrosse team is set for an exciting year. Last season, the Owls went 3-2 in conference play, advancing to the American Tournament during their first year in the AAC. The team will return the majority of its 2019 starting lineup, with seven freshmen ready for their first season in cherry and white.

"We have a great team and we're really excited for this 2020 season," head coach Bonnie Rosen said. "We are really looking to develop our game in a way that can bring out the best in us. We have a lot of ways to play the game and we're looking forward to the season being a combination of fundamentals and creativity so I'm really optimistic."

Veterans at Howarth Field

Temple will return key players on both the offense and defense, with six of last year's seven double-digit scorers on the 2020 roster. The Owls lost just four seniors from last season, with nearly two dozen players on this year's squad seeing collegiate minutes.

Maddie Gebert, last season's leading scorer, will return to Broad Street for her final campaign. Gebert scored 40 goals in 2019, averaging 2.35 goals per game to rank fourth in the conference. Kara Nakrasius and Michelle Koscinski will also return for their senior seasons to anchor the defense along with fellow senior Maryn Lowell in the cage.

Nakrasius' career draw controls are fourth in program history, while her average of 4.00 per game was fourth in the American Conference last season. Lowell averaged 7.12 saves per game to rank second fifth in the league, recording 114 saves for a career total of 384.

Four Owls earned Preseason All-Conference honors with Lowell's two leading the team. Gebert, Nakrasius, Lowell, and Bridget Whitaker were all named to the All-Conference Team, with Lowell earning the Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year nod.

"Every one of our seniors is ready to make an impact," Rosen said. " One of the biggest challenges we are going to have as a coaching staff is how we are going to play people because the amount of impact that everyone on the roster can make is huge."

Off the Bench

The Owls will also see depth from the bench, with several players poised to be effective on both ends of the field. Kimmy Weinstock and Jen Rodzewich are dynamic additions to the midfield and set to make an impact. Courtney Taylor and Kessina Heyn are set to anchor the defense as reserves, with Jackie Cerchio able to to distribute the ball.

Gabby Acker is crafty and can navigate through zones, while Lydia Hetznecker is fast and aggressive. Abaigeal Ryan has a composure on the field and solid stick that allows her to receive balls, with Gabby Kirsch looking to make an impact on both offense and defense. Wynston Archer has a great range with her stick and has a first step that gets by opponents.

Margot Hotham has speed in the midfield and can some turnovers for the Owls. Lauren Zinkl has a physicality that allows her to play strong defense, and Jackie Cerchio is can play both ends of the field with fast, aggressive, and competitive play.

"A lot of our midfielders can play both ends of the field," Rosen said. "Our defenders are able to shoot as well as our offense, so we will have many opportunities to score."

Leadership

The Owls have five captains for the 2020 season, with Kara Nakrasius, Olivia Thompson, Maryn Lowell, Lizzie Frederick, and Bridget Whitaker all being voted to lead the team. Frederick's impact on the team will come from the sideline, as the Rothel Beach, Del. native is serving as a student coach due to medically retiring.

"The fact that we have 10 seniors gives us experience and gives them the perspective that this is their last chance to finish strong. That is always a great motivating leadership piece to the team, so we're in a great position from that standpoint," Rosen said.

Fresh Faces

Seven freshmen are looking forward to their first season at the Temple Sports Complex, and each is ready to make an impact. Eryn Beal is quick and dynamic in the cage and is ready to see competition. Her style of play is different from Maryn Lowell and Olivia Martin, and a combination of the three will allow the team to put a complete game together. Mackenzie Roth is a smart player who can be effective on both the offense and defense, while Maeve Tobin is a great cutter whose biggest strength is her ability to run the field.

Riley McGowan is an attacker who can make the offense work and gives the team a way to open options offensively. Belle Mastropietro is one of the more seasoned freshmen, having anchored her high school team. Her experience in both lacrosse and basketball allows her to run the show in regards to ball handling, with her skill set putting her in a position to be effective right away.

Charessa Crosse is crafty and as developed her defensive game in the offseason. She is quick and able to get through other players which makes her effective on the offensive end of the field. Julie Shickling's strength is not only her ability to play on both sides of the field but also to quietly make things happen.

"The freshman class is a group that came in ready to make a difference from day one," Rosen said. "They're all really good and I think they all can make an impact as freshmen, which isn't easy to do on a team this deep."

Tough Competition

Temple will see top competition, facing two opponents who finished the RPI top-10 last year and nine who finished better than Temple. The Owls will face three Big 5 opponents, hosting Saint Joseph's and La Salle while traveling to Villanova. The team will be tested early, with the first six home games of the season set for February. Conference play will begin at the end of March against Vanderbilt and end against Cincinnati in April.

"We are going to have some great challenges early in the season and it's going to be busy," Rosen said. "February is really going to test us, and the rest of our season is going to shape up based on what we learn from game to game."

2020 Vision

The Owls are looking to grow from last season's 6-11 (3-2 AAC) finish. Temple advanced to the conference tournament in its first year in the American Conference, but fell in the semifinals to Cincinnati. The team is prepared to once again reach the tournament and to be a contender for the title.

The main focus for the program this season is where they want to go and what they can be. Temple expects to win, and in order to do that the Owls have to model themselves after elite teams.

"There's a lot of individuals on the team who are ready to step up and find the next level," Rosen said. "We're a team that combines a love of play with something to prove and we just have to take things one step at a time. We are playing to win and be the best we can be "