Feb 10, 2008

Exciting Times Ahead for Women's Lacrosse

Coach Railey looks forward to every season, but spring 2008 is likely to yield something special. The VJC Women's Lacrosse team has reached a new dimension in depth, strategy, and skill. This team is ready to break into the top twenty nationally. "We are so smart and exciting. There is electricity, even in practice, that has never been here before," says Railey. "We no longer have one weapon on offense; we have ten players that will take it to the goal. Defensively, we have ten players that will shut you out." It is this deadly combination that Railey feels will catapult her team into the national spotlight. "We have been ranked in the top twenty of LaxPower.com Power Rank Changes each year I have been here. We moved 53 places in 15 months. That kind of consistent improvement is unheard of. The only move left is into the top twenty."

Going into her third season with the Villa Julie lacrosse team, Railey felt that last year's team was plagued with injury, which stopped short a very bright start to 2007. We won the games we were supposed to win last season and we lost to the nationally ranked teams," says Railey. "We just didn't win the 50-50 games and that was due to our depth."

The Attack

Returning this year is the team's second highest scorer, Jamie Jones (Glen Burnie HS/Glen Burnie, MD), and team captain and four-year starter, Cat Connelly (Fallston HS/Fallston, MD). Railey will add former midfielder, Brittany Connelly (Catonsville HS/Catonsville, MD), to the attack. Determined to build on the depth, a whole new class comes ready to step out on the offensive end. Freshmen Megan Weiss (Elizabeth Seton HS/Odenton, MD) and Lisa Baker (Westminster HS/Westminster, MD) will bring their stick skill to the attacking end. Megan's quickness and Lisa's hard shot are bound to make an immediate impact on the team's goal tallies. These newcomers will help overcome the loss of sophomore Meghan Smith (Kent Island HS/Stevensville, MD) who suffered a season ending injury in the fall. Meghan Smith was the team's leading goal scorer and only Capital Athletic All-Conference Second Team selection for the Mustangs last year. Freshman Colleen Albrecht (Magruder HS/Ellicott City, MD) will also chip in on attack. "This new group is so thrilling to watch. They play as if they have been teammates for years. It's absolutely amazing to watch."

The Midfield

Reliability comes in the midfield, where junior Mandi Carr (Old Mill HS/Crownsville, MD) will be the backbone. The solid sophomore class of Lauren Zegowitz (Damascus HS/Gaithersburg, MD) and Kristyna Hnizda (North Carroll HS/Manchester, MD) will continue to bring their size and strength to the midfield. "This midfield combination is so potent. They are solid in every aspect of the game." Railey moves veteran Julie Olson (Keene HS/Spofford, NH) to the midfield in 2008. "Julie is in better shape than I have ever seen her. She has really upped her game to make a real impact in '08." Joining Julie as a new member of the midfield is freshman Kelsey Fendlay (Winters Mill HS/Westminster, MD). "Both Julie and Kelsey will add the depth we have been looking for these past two years," says Railey.

The Defense

The Mustang defense has had a real "tuning up" in 2008, as well. Led by junior team captain Jess Dixon (Aberdeen HS/Aberdeen, MD), senior Ashley Cathcart (Reisterstown HS/Franklin, MD) and sophomore Brittany Hilton (Poolesville HS/Barnesville, MD) will return to the defensive unit. Last season, the three combined for 73 ground balls, 27 draws, and 29 of the team's caused turnovers. With the addition of Tricia Kauffman (Dulaney HS/Cockeysville, MD), Railey thinks she has the spunkiest defense in Division III. "Teams will be caught off guard by a group of defenders who are all tiny and quick," says Coach Railey. The quickness provides VJC with the "swarming" capability they had not had in the past years under Railey's reign. Adding depth to the defense will be sophomore Sam Slenbaker (Patapsco HS/Baltimore,MD) and newcomers Brittany Rohe (South Carroll HS/Tawneytown, MD) and Cara Albanese (North East HS/North East, MD).

The Goalies

The only real question this season will be: Who will start in the cage for the Mustangs? Senior two-year starter Kait Brzozowski (Fallston HS/Bel Air, MD) returns and will be joined by two freshmen this season. Sarah DeFerrari (Century HS/Eldersburg, MD) and Devan Malone (River Hill HS/ Highland, MD) each want to earn the goalie spot. All three GKs will vie for a starting role as the preseason continues, each player bringing different strengths to the position. Railey explains, "Kait has the most experience, playing for us for the last two years. Sarah comes to us really knowing how to win, having won the state championships with her Century high school team. Devan is a naturally quick and aggressive athlete." At this point, the Mustangs will have to wait and see who steps up to the challenge. However, one thing is certain, you can expect to see the team Railey has assembled go far in the post-season and become nationally ranked.


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It is this deadly combination that Railey feels will catapult her team into the national spotlight. "We have been ranked in the top twenty of LaxPower.com Power Rank Changes each year I have been here. We moved 53 places in 15 months. That kind of consistent improvement is unheard of. The only move left is into the top twenty." Going into her third season with the Villa Julie lacrosse team, Railey felt that last year's team was plagued with injury, which stopped short a very bright start to 2007. We won the games we were supposed to win last season and we lost to the nationally ranked teams," says Railey. "We just didn't win the 50-50 games and that was due to our depth." The Attack Returning this year is the team's second highest scorer, Jamie Jones (Glen Burnie HS/Glen Burnie, MD), and team captain and four-year starter, Cat Connelly (Fallston HS/Fallston, MD). Railey will add former midfielder, Brittany Connelly (Catonsville HS/Catonsville, MD), to the attack. Determined to build on the depth, a whole new class comes ready to step out on the offensive end. Freshmen Megan Weiss (Elizabeth Seton HS/Odenton, MD) and Lisa Baker (Westminster HS/Westminster, MD) will bring their stick skill to the attacking end. Megan's quickness and Lisa's hard shot are bound to make an immediate impact on the team's goal tallies. These newcomers will help overcome the loss of sophomore Meghan Smith (Kent Island HS/Stevensville, MD) who suffered a season ending injury in the fall. Meghan Smith was the team's leading goal scorer and only Capital Athletic All-Conference Second Team selection for the Mustangs last year. Freshman Colleen Albrecht (Magruder HS/Ellicott City, MD) will also chip in on attack. "This new group is so thrilling to watch. They play as if they have been teammates for years. It's absolutely amazing to watch." The Midfield Reliability comes in the midfield, where junior Mandi Carr (Old Mill HS/Crownsville, MD) will be the backbone. The solid sophomore class of Lauren Zegowitz (Damascus HS/Gaithersburg, MD) and Kristyna Hnizda (North Carroll HS/Manchester, MD) will continue to bring their size and strength to the midfield. "This midfield combination is so potent. They are solid in every aspect of the game." Railey moves veteran Julie Olson (Keene HS/Spofford, NH) to the midfield in 2008. "Julie is in better shape than I have ever seen her. She has really upped her game to make a real impact in '08." Joining Julie as a new member of the midfield is freshman Kelsey Fendlay (Winters Mill HS/Westminster, MD). "Both Julie and Kelsey will add the depth we have been looking for these past two years," says Railey. The Defense The Mustang defense has had a real "tuning up" in 2008, as well. Led by junior team captain Jess Dixon (Aberdeen HS/Aberdeen, MD), senior Ashley Cathcart (Reisterstown HS/Franklin, MD) and sophomore Brittany Hilton (Poolesville HS/Barnesville, MD) will return to the defensive unit. Last season, the three combined for 73 ground balls, 27 draws, and 29 of the team's caused turnovers. With the addition of Tricia Kauffman (Dulaney HS/Cockeysville, MD), Railey thinks she has the spunkiest defense in Division III. "Teams will be caught off guard by a group of defenders who are all tiny and quick," says Coach Railey. The quickness provides VJC with the "swarming" capability they had not had in the past years under Railey's reign. Adding depth to the defense will be sophomore Sam Slenbaker (Patapsco HS/Baltimore,MD) and newcomers Brittany Rohe (South Carroll HS/Tawneytown, MD) and Cara Albanese (North East HS/North East, MD). The Goalies The only real question this season will be: Who will start in the cage for the Mustangs? Senior two-year starter Kait Brzozowski (Fallston HS/Bel Air, MD) returns and will be joined by two freshmen this season. Sarah DeFerrari (Century HS/Eldersburg, MD) and Devan Malone (River Hill HS/ Highland, MD) each want to earn the goalie spot. All three GKs will vie for a starting role as the preseason continues, each player bringing different strengths to the position. Railey explains, "Kait has the most experience, playing for us for the last two years. Sarah comes to us really knowing how to win, having won the state championships with her Century high school team. Devan is a naturally quick and aggressive athlete." At this point, the Mustangs will have to wait and see who steps up to the challenge. However, one thing is certain, you can expect to see the team Railey has assembled go far in the post-season and become nationally ranked.