Newfound Depth A Welcome Addition For Women’s Lacrosse

AURORA, N.Y. – The Wells College women's lacrosse team opens up their home slate of contests on Tuesday, Apr. 2 as they host the Hawks of Hilbert College in a 4:00 p.m. contest. Piloted by first year Head Coach Kylie Hrehor, the Express look to utilize new-found depth in their lineup to their advantage across the 2013 calendar of games.

During the 2012 women's lacrosse season, the Express regularly found themselves playing down two or even three players in games due to injuries down the stretch. The Express, playing shorthanded with only nine field players, dropped a 22-21 contest to Medaille College and took SUNY Canton to overtime before losing a 23-21 decision in the extra frame. With a full roster containing available substitutes, the Express will look to take their passion, heart and talent into the 2013 calendar.

In 2013, the Express have struggled to overcome injuries but look to regain a large portion of their depth as they enter their conference schedule in the coming weeks.

"I am really looking forward to the rest of the season," explained Hrehor when pressed for her thoughts on the remaining 11 game schedule. "I really believe that even though we are so young, we have the capability to be very competitive."

Hrehor has tabbed a triumvirate of captains to lead a predominantly freshman roster. Senior Madeline Bass (Lemon Grove, Calif.) joins sophomores Savannah Tucker (Rochester, N.Y.) and Marina Fargnoli (Apalachin, N.Y.) as they look to use their experience to guide the new players through the North Eastern Athletic Conference schedule.

Bass, a four-year member of the Express, has scored 90 goals and 35 assists for 125 points (90-35=125) through 51 career games in a Wells uniform. Her 51 games played ranks fourth all-time while her 35 assists rank her second all-time in program history. In 2012, Bass set single-season personal records in goals scored (32), assists (15), points (47) and shots (76). Her veteran leadership is evident so far, leading the team with eight goals and an assist for nine points (8-1=9) through only four games in 2013.

Last season, Bass was a NEAC First Team All-Conference midfielder for the third-straight season to become the first player in Wells history to accomplish that feat. Megan Robinson '04 drew two-straight Atlantic Women's Collegiate Conference First Team All-Conference honors upon the team's creation in 2003 and earned two All-Conference nods from 2001 and 2002.

Tucker, a sophomore, scored 24 points via 18 goals and six assists (18-6=24) as a freshman for the Express and scooped up team leading totals of 44 ground balls and 46 draw controls. Her 46 draw controls are the third-highest total since the 2009 season while averaging 2.71 controlled draws per game.

Fargnoli scored 13 goals and added six assists for 19 points (13-6=19) as a freshman in 2012, scooping up 41 ground balls and posting 33 draw controls. Through only four games this season, Fargnoli is nearly halfway to last year's total of draw controls, collecting 16 so far in 2013 while also chipping in with three goals.

"We are certainly looking for the three captains to lead not only off the field, but also in the midfield," said Hrehor when asked about her three captains. "All three players have an edge that they use to their advantage in games – they are an important part of our team."

Senior Erika Bareiss (Clinton, N.Y.) returns to the team as a senior after a brief hiatus in 2012. Bareiss and Bass were each members of the 2010 North Eastern Athletic Conference runner-up team, the last Wells women's lacrosse team to qualify for the playoffs. With 31 career games played, Bareiss will need only five additional games played to tie Emily Lotkowictz '10 for 10th place all-time in team history.

Junior Brittany White (Lewiston, N.Y.), who was selected as a NEAC Third Team All-Conference defenseman in only her first season playing the sport, will also provide veteran leadership to the team. White made appearances in 16 games, causing 12 turnovers while also posting 18 ground balls for Wells.

Junior Chelsea Dann (Flagstaff, Ariz.) returns to the team as the starting goaltender for Wells after making her debut as a defenseman in 2011. She has already drawn praise from her Head Coach for her aggressive style of play in the cage.

"Dann is absolutely fearless between the pipes," explained Hrehor. "She isn't afraid to step in front of the ball and has already demonstrated strong play in her rookie season in net."

The remaining players on the roster for the Express are new to the team this year, including freshmen Andrea Gould (Fulton, N.Y.) and Lexie Roberson (Winston-Salem, N.C.). Gould, a 2012 graduate of G. Ray Bodley High School in Fulton, N.Y., joins Roberson as utility players on the roster who are trusted by their Head Coach to fill in where necessary.

"Both Gould and Roberson are extremely versatile players," said Hrehor. "They both can play all positions and are able to provide depth in multiple areas."

In addition to Roberson, Hrehor strongly believes that Bri'Anna Horne (Baltimore, Md.) is a strong complement to Roberson when it comes to moving the ball up the field and creating offensive opportunities.

"Horne and Roberson are two of the fastest players on the team and their speed serves us well when it comes to our style of play," said Hrehor.

Freshmen Amber Jordan (Auburn, N.Y.) and Alaina Kelahan (New Woodstock, N.Y.) will both assist the Express in the attacking zone while classmate Samantha Simons (Bradford, Mass.) will join them both after recovering from surgery. Defenseman Kaylie Benjamin (Waterloo, N.Y.), who played defense for Head Coach Jamie Trudeau and the women's soccer team, has been able to translate her skills in the backfield to the lacrosse field.

Junior Brittany Carpenter (Carthage, N.Y.), freshman Juelle Dixson (New York, N.Y.) and Jordyn Hermelyn (Grand Island, N.Y.) are all new to the sport and have been able to learn at the appropriate pace given the increased roster size from the previous season.

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