Brittany Wilkins

The 2006 Bloomsburg women's lacrosse team is a young squad with many new faces, but the goals remain the same for head coach Dawn Strunk and the Huskies: qualify for the PSAC playoffs and win the conference title game. The Huskies fell just short of that goal last season, finishing 12-6 and falling to West Chester in the conference finals. "We are largely freshmen this year, which is a huge change for us." said Strunk. "Taking a large freshman class and blending them with a smaller upper-classmen group is going to be a bit of a challenge, but we definitely have the talent to make to the post-season and advance to the title game once again."

Although the Huskies feature many new faces there are still a number of returning players that will be relied upon to carry the underclassmen. All-American and All-PSAC first team defender Brittany Wilkins (Barto/Boyertown) will return for her junior season. Wilkins, the Huskies top defender will be looked upon to anchor the defense once again this season. Wilkins scored five goals and had 50 ground balls in 2005.

Cali Toms

Also returning is sophomore mid-fielder/ attack Cali Toms (Pottstown/Pottsgrove). Toms was the Huskies leading returning scorer in 2005 with 39 goals and 9 assists. Toms was named PSAC Rookie of the Year in 2005 and earned All PSAC first-team honors. She will be one of the Huskies main scoring threats once again.

Junior midfielder Megan Taylor (West Chester/West Chester) also returns for the Huskies. Taylor was the teams' second leading returning scorer a year ago with 22 goals and 14 assists to go with 41 ground balls.

The large freshman class features many players that Strunk feels can have an immediate impact on the team. Midfielder/attack Samantha Alexander (Willow Grove/Upper Moreland) will be one of the strongest freshmen along with attack Brittany Lucchessi (Ambler/Wissahickon), whom Strunk believes could potentially be the Huskies leading scorer.

The Huskies will open the 2006 season against two nationally ranked teams: Merrimack College and C.W. Post. Mercyhurst and Gannon will also be two very tough non-conference teams that will help the team prepare for its difficult conference schedule.

Megan Taylor

The PSAC will be very competitive once again this year, featuring the usual tough teams that will battle with Bloomsburg for the PSAC Title. "West Chester and Lock Haven are always two of the top teams", said Strunk. "Shippensburg also looks to be much improved from last season as well. Last year they were very weak but we saw them in the fall season and they did a lot of recruiting and turned the team around. They should be in the top four as well."

"We definitely feel we can make it to the title game once again this year," said Strunk. "We saw West Chester several times this fall and we were able to beat them despite playing with mostly freshman. That certainly will give our young team much needed confidence and benefit us when we see them during the season"

"Our main concern is our youth," added Strunk. "We have a lot of good individual talent but the key will be to get our young team to work together and to find a rhythm. Instilling confidence in the underclassmen will also be a key to our success. If we are able to do this we should reach our goals."