Defending ECAC Champs Ready To Begin 2006 Campaign Wednesday At Yale

STORRS, Conn. (February 28, 2006) - Coming off the heels of the most successful season in Connecticut women’s lacrosse history, the Huskies are ready to continue where they left off and contend for the BIG EAST Championship and compete on a national level. This time a year ago, 11 seniors began the same quest and succeeded, claiming the program’s first ECAC Championship, reaching a national ranking of No. 15 and amassing a 12-5 record by season’s end. A slightly smaller, but no less dedicated, group of five seniors will lead this year's UConn squad, as the Huskies open the season Wednesday at Yale with a 3:00 p.m. contest.

With a loss of personnel that large, many would consider this a rebuilding year. Head Coach Bonnie Rosen, who is set to begin her 10th year at the helm of the UConn program, thinks otherwise. Even with the loss of the program’s most decorated athlete, Tracy Mullaney, Rosen is optimistic that this year’s squad has the necessary skill and experience to build upon last year’s successes.

Seniors

This year’s senior class may have some big shoes to fill but they are certainly up for the task.  Last year, the loss of senior attacker and co-captain Abbey VanDeusen (Fayetteville, N.Y.) to an ACL injury two weeks before the season was devastating, but last year’s loss is this year’s gain.  VanDeusen is back, stronger than ever, bringing the skills, experience and leadership that only comes with being a fifth-year senior. 

Offensively she will be joined by Allison Tyminski (Kirkville, N.Y.), who is one of the smartest players on the field.  Tyminski’s speed combined with her ability to read the game will make her a key leader both on and off the field. 

The bulk of the senior class’ impact will be felt on the defensive end.  Last year, Clare Schwan (Albany, N.Y.) provided key defensive sparks for the Huskies, coming up with 17 caused turnovers on the season.  Her intensity, physical presence, vocal leadership and aggressiveness will be necessary ingredients in UConn’s defensive effort. 

A quieter defender, Cea Fong (Greenwich, Conn.) is poised to truly make her mark this year.  A two-sport athlete who plays field hockey in the fall, Fong is one of UConn’s best mark-up defenders and will find herself assigned to shutting down some of the nation’s best competition. 

A key ingredient to any strong defensive effort is having a well-skilled goalkeeper between the pipes. Though she saw limited playing time behind last year’s keeper Jennifer Wong, senior goalie Kristen Haldeman (Malvern, Pa.) is ready to take over for the Huskies.  Haldeman has been waiting in the wings over the past three years for her chance to anchor the defense and is poised to take on the critical role.  This past summer, she guarded the goal for Team Canada in the 2005 World Cup Championships and with experience, enters the 2006 season feeling like a veteran who is ready to take on the country’s best shooters. 

Juniors

While the senior class is filled with some unknown heroes, that is not the case for the junior class.  One of the quickest players in the country, Shannon Burke’s (Camillus, N.Y.) impact on the field has been recognized by more than just her teammates.  A 2006 Preseason All-BIG EAST selection, Burke is a threat all over the field, scoring and assisting goals, causing turnovers and creating transition that makes her an asset. 

While opponents may key in on Burke as the leading returning scorer and largest threat on the attack, the Huskies have a deep arsenal of offensive weapons in the junior class, including Bonnie Levin (Rose Valley, Pa.).  Levin’s style combines gamesmanship and power, giving her the ability to help organize the offense as well as to provide critical scoring power. 

Joining Burke and Levin on attack are three classmates: Kristin Link (Slingerlands, N.Y.), Tori Joel (Bel Air, Md.) and Janet Williams (Reisterstown, Md.),  all of whom will provide the all-around play and versatility that should enable UConn to achieve it’s goals. 

Link, the team’s fourth leading scorer in 2005 is an attacker who can definitely run the field.  Known for ability to get free and finish in tight spaces, expect Link to use her power this season. 

Joel has truly matured over the past two years and it is doubtful that opponents will be ready for what they see from her.  A true workhorse, Joel’s strong aggressive moves to goal, as well as her ability to get up and down the field will provide a backbone to the Huskies play this season. 

Williams helped lead the Huskies to their season-opening win at Stanford last year one day before suffering an ACL injury that would end her season.  She returns faster, smarter and with a passion to play that inspires her teammates.  Williams is another multiple threat player as she brings thinking, outstanding stick skills and excellent defensive instincts to the field. 

Over the past two years Laura Trzasko (Plainsboro, N.J.) has played mostly a defensive role for the Huskies, but the 2005 ECAC Championship Most Valuable Player may be as much of an impact on offensive this year as she is on defense.  Trzasko’s assets are her defensive approach to the game, coupled with the speed to make a difference in the midfield and the firepower of the best attackers.  Individually, these six players are outstanding. As a group their talent combined with their desire to provide key momentum for this team is exciting.

Sophomores

Sophomore Robyn Pastuch (Merrick, N.Y.) is poised to move into her role as an offensive power this season.  Pastuch possesses one of the team’s hardest shots and, with a year of experience behind her, she is ready to be a consistent threat. 

The rest of the sophomore class, however, is set up to deny opponents from scoring.  Leah Giffin (Manlius, N.Y.) saw significant playing time last season as a freshman, an impressive feat given the large senior class.  Her excellent game sense, strong will, defensive footwork and ability to possess the ball under pressure are all key assets that the Huskies will rely on this season. 

One of the most determined and aggressive players on the team is defender Emily VanBuitenen (Darien, Conn.).  Her ability to come up with key groundballs and stop the one-on-one to goal provides another defensive threat for UConn.  Linking the two together is Meghan Nanfeldt (Jacobstown, N.J.).  Nanfeldt’s all out play, combined with her natural athleticism will cause problems for opponents and give even more versatility in the Huskies’ style of play.

Freshman

The seven freshman newcomers to the team will fill many different roles for the Huskies this season. Already demonstrating a maturity beyond her years, Kim McGinty (Hungtington, Ohio) has set herself up as a go-to attacker for UConn.  Her explosiveness in tight spaces along with her accurate shot placement will give the huskies the depth they need on offense. 

Joining McGinty is fellow attacker Kati Kasch (Colorado Springs, Colo).  Possessed with the knack for scoring goals, Kasch is looking to pull her weight when the opportunity presents. 

 Whitney Michele (East Rochester, N.Y.) might be the freshman midfield attacker that catches opponents by surprise this season.  Her extremely quick moves to goal and scoring ability, along with her endurance to play the entire field will make an immediate impact for UConn this season. 

Joining Whitney in the midfield is defender Katy Ryan (Hamburg, N.Y.). Ryan’s defensive skills combined with her explosive speed and powerful shot give her the versatility to be used in many different roles. 

Also vying for starting roles this season on defense are Jamie Antonious (Baltimore, Md.) and Lauren Duffy (Madison, Conn.).  Antonious is known for her speed and quickness in one-on-one on team defensive situations, as well as explosiveness in transition. Duffy has some of the best defensive footwork moves on the team and has all of the skills to develop into a top defender. 

Finally, freshman goalkeeper Amanda Wilson (Hudson, Ohio) will provide additional strength in the goal this season. An All-American out of high school, Wilson is ready to take on the college scene under the tutelage of Haldeman.

Freshman attacker Ashley Mitchelides (Hudson, Ohio) will have to take on a support role from the bench this season due to shoulder surgery performed earlier this year.  Her energy, positive attitude and rehabilitation work ethic have already served as inspiration and motivation for teammates and will no doubt play a major role in the chemistry of this team. 

These four very different classes combined provide the UConn Huskies with all of the elements necessary to build on the success of 2005.