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2004 Season Preview

After coming up two wins short of an NCAA championship a year ago, the 2004 Bloomsburg University lacrosse team is once again looking like its championship caliber. Led by womenslacrosse.com NCAA Division Coach of the Year Kathy Frick, the Huskies have the tools necessary to make a run at a national title.

The Huskies have a solid core of seniors who will lead the 2004 squad. Each member provides a different dimension for the team to build on.

This year's team, as in year's past, will use a very aggressive style to win ball games. The Huskies will be very tenacious and attack the ball. At the same time, they will play smart and take higher percentage shots. “If the team can combine their aggressiveness with tactical play it may prove volatile for our opponents,” Frick said.

As with any team, chemistry is important to development and growth. If the Huskies young talent can step up and gel with the more experienced players, watch for big things in 2004.

ATTACK

Big things can be expected from this season's attack on offense. Georgia Carinici leads the way for the Huskies. The first team All-American comes into this season tied for Bloomsburg's all-time lead in points with 183. Carinici, the 2003 PSAC athlete of the year, tied the single-season record for points in a season with 75 last year.

Shelia Zilinski, a first-team All-American, will also contribute a great deal up front for the Huskies. Zilinski finished 2003 with 33 goals and six assists. Her overall athletic ability will be counted on to help lead the Huskies in 2004.

Danielle Yeager will be looked upon to hold down the attack for the Huskies this season. Yeager tallied 12 goals and added four assists a season ago.

Ashley Childs will add depth to an already solid attack for the Huskies.

Newcomer Megan Taylor has great potential and should add a spark for the Huskies.

MIDFIELD

A trio of experienced juniors will patrol the midfield for the Huskies this season. Pam Cianni, Diana G'Angeli and Meaghan McDugall each saw significant action for Bloomsburg last year and will be looked up to create opportunities for the Huskies.

DEFENSE

Bloomsburg's tough defense will be led this season by second team All-American Marcie Zilinski. Zilinski, also a PSAC first team member, provides all of the necessary tools to keep opposing team's scoring chances at a minimum.

Zilinski is joined by experienced sophomore Karla Honeywell who saw action in 13 games last season for the Huskies.

Newcomer Brittany Wilkins' scrappy style of play should help to solidify a stingy Bloomsburg defense.

GOALKEEPER

All PSAC first team member Linda Shultz will again be the backbone of the Bloomsburg defense. Shultz played in every minute of every game last season for the Huskies and will be called upon to play tough again this year.

Freshman Stacy Grapetine will back up Shultz between the pipes.

OVERALL

Coach Frick believes that this year's Huskies are capable of anything. “I feel that we have very strong senior leadership in all areas of the field,” Frick said. “It won't be easy and we have to take it one game at a time. There is a lot of parity this season and the gap between teams is closing. We have to put it on the line and bring our 'A' game everyday.”

Bloomsburg opens their 2004 season at Hilton Head, SC looking to avenge their only two losses of last season to Longwood. The Huskies then face Stonehill before opening their PSAC season at West Chester.