Dowling College

After posting back to back winning seasons in the program's first two years of existence, the Dowling College Women's Lacrosse team will look to take the next step in 2010 season.

With seventeen players returning from a squad that finished ranked No. 9 nationally, along with seven talented newcomers, the Golden Lions will strive to bring home an ECC Championship and make their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

The 2010 schedule, which opens on March 9th against St. Thomas Aquinas, is packed with games against quality opponents. Dowling will take on five teams on Lacrosse Magazine's Preseason National Poll and three teams that participated in last year's NCAA Tournament. The Golden Lions' non-conference slate consisting of ten teams, is highlighted by games against perennial national championship contenders Limestone, Stonehill, and West Chester. The ECC portion of the schedule includes seven games, with four at Golden Lions Field. Two of the road ECC contests will be against new league members Lake Erie and Seton Hill. Dowling will wrap up their ECC schedule and regular season with a 7:00 PM home contest on May 5th against 2007 national champion, C.W. Post.

ATTACK

Sophomore Brooke Witkowski (Lindenhurst, NY) and junior Sam Messineo (Shirley, NY) will lead the Golden Lions' attack in 2010. Witkowski, an unselfish player with great field vision, will once again look to ignite the offense, as she finished last year wih a team leading 21 assists. Messineo, an experienced feeder from behind the cage, will be called upon to settle the attack and call plays. Kimberly Harrington (North Babylon, NY) who made great strides in the offseason, will look to better her six goal performance as a rookie and earn a spot in the starting lineup.

Newcomer Taylor Agulla (Islip, NY) adds talent to the Golden Lions attack, and will look to earn minutes in her freshman season. After an injury limited her to one game in 2009, Alicia Sanchez (Medford, NY) returns to compete for time on the field. Pamela McGirr (Copiague, NY) rounds out the attack and will vie for time in 2010.

MIDFIELD

Despite losing the services of two-time All-Region selection Kelly Cefalu (East Islip, NY) due to a season ending injury, Dowling will still have a tremendous amount of talent at the midfield position. Junior Cassandra Cronin (Islip Terrace, NY) will look to lead the way again after an outstanding sophomore campaign. Cronin, a two-time Team MVP, was also an All-Conference and All-Region selection in 2009 after leading the team with 47 goals and 58 points. The program's all-time leader in goals and caused turnovers, Cronin will control the midfield on both ends for the Golden Lions. Graduate student Stephanie Cotter (Ridge, NY) closes out her stellar college career in 2010. Cotter, who exhibits exemplary leadership on the field, finished 2009 third on the team with 21 goals.

After earning Second Team All-Conference honors as a defender in 2009, Brianna Falese (Centereach, NY) will see time at the midfield position in 2010. Falese the team's reigning Most Improved Player, will be looked upon to use her speed and fitness in transition. Falese also brings her ability to gain draw controls after finishing seventh in the nation with 3.92 per game.

Three additions will fortify the Dowling midfield, led by Stony Brook University transfer, Jillian Weinstein (East Islip, NY). Weinstein, who has easily transitioned into the program, has a strong knowledge of the game and will see action immediately. Freshman Rachel Nelson (New Hyde Park, NY) will also contribute, while Kate Collins (North Caldwell, NJ) looks to use her athletic ability and raw talent to earn playing time.

DEFENSE

Dowling's defense will be led by All-Conference and All-Region selection Samantha Titus (Bay Shore, NY). Titus excelled for Dowling in her first season after transferring from Virginia Tech, and with the ability to shut down her opponents, looks to have another outstanding campaign in 2009. The Golden Lions' defense also brings back two year starter Kristen Matos (Deer Park, NY). Matos, a 2008 ECC All-Conference First Team selection, is a tenacious defender who has a knack for ground balls. Her speed and stick skills are an asset in the team's transition. Alana Gund (Lindenhurst, NY) is another returner in the defensive unit who saw a lot of time in 2009. Gund, a scrappy player, will fill the role of shutting down players around the crease. Anabel Lopez (Freeport, NY) and Krystal Burke (Centereach, NY) have both worked hard in the offseason and look to earn more playing time in 2010.

Jillian Gemma (Farmingdale, NY) and Nina Ragone (Deer Park, NY) are two freshman trying to make immediate impacts. Gemma was a member of the New York State Champion, Farmingdale High School, while Ragone is a mature and coachable player who has adapted well to the college level. Sophomore Chelsea Bruno (Rocky Point, NY) and senior Jenifer Olin (Oceanside, NY) will add depth to the defender position.

GOALKEEPER

Rachael Goldstein (Ridge, NY) is back to man the goalkeeper position for the third straight season. Goldstein, who has started every game in program history, looks to continue her run in front of the cage this season. After finishing the 2009 season 11th in the nation with a 9.73 goals against average, Goldstein has worked hard to become more consistent and will lead the defensive unit. Irene Russell (Ronkonkoma, NY), a Connetquot High School graduate, is an intimidating presence in the cage. Russell will continue to work on her skills to earn some playing time this season.