2009 Girls Lacrosse Preview: Ready for a Rebound
Lady Bills looking to improve on last year’s recordBy BILL CAIN, The Leader-Herald
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2009 Johnstown roster
Margo Aksyonova-Beck (Sr.)
Myckenzie Frasier (Sr.)
Adele Friello (Sr.)
Jami Murray (Sr.)
Danielle Nellis (Sr.)
Kelsey Palcovic (Sr.)
Kelsey Schrum (Sr.)
Amie Sedal (Sr.)
Samantha Simek (Sr.)
Alexis Akers (Sr.)
Elisa McIntosh (Sr.)
Amalia Senju (Sr.)
Kelly Brown (Jr.)
Mary Jane Carville (Jr.)
Alison Kollar (Jr.)
Viv Panetta (Jr.)
Anna Swierzowski (Jr.)
Alyssa Brand (Soph.)
Alexis Cannizzo (Soph.)
Courtney Servello (Soph.)
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JOHNSTOWN - With nine returning seniors, two of them all-stars, Johnstown's girls' lacrosse team is back on the field.
The Lady Bills have a roster full of girls who are more familiar with the sport and each other than in past years.
"We're putting a lot of stock in these returning seniors, as well as those players coming up from last year's J.V.," Johnstown coach Denise Benton said. "It's comforting to know they all played together and have seen a lot of field time. We're laying a lot of stock in seeing our senior leadership pull through. We believe we'll be successfully competitive this year."
After last season's 2-16 campaign, 2-10 in the Capital District Women's Lacrosse League, the Lady Bills return to the field with much of their scoring from last season intact. Jami Murray was a first-team all-star in the CDWLL last season with 30 of her 34 career goals and three of her four career assists. Kelsey Palcovic was a second-teamer with 15 of her 17 career goals and seven of her nine career assists.
Adele Friello scored 15 goals last season and assisted on 14. She has 20 goals and 21 assists in her career. Amie Sedal also returns with her 16 career goals and six career assists.
"Those are four returning seniors who have been consistent playmakers who can find the back of the net when they need to," Benton said. "We'll be depending on them to pick up where they left off."
It will be the program's, and Benton's, 10th season. She said with the number of experienced players on varsity this year, it is as good a year as any to make a splash in the league and section.
The Lady Bills welcome 11 newcomers, 10 of whom played on the 11-3 junior varsity team last season. One of them is Elisa McIntosh, who Benton said she had planned on promoting to varsity halfway through last season, but McIntosh broke her hand.
Benton said the newcomers include several girls who look like they're ready for a smooth transition to the speed and skill of the varsity game.
"It's so exciting to have so much talent," she said. "Several girls went to camp in the offseason. They're pumped and ready to go. I'm seeing great things from these kids. Every day, somebody's giving us something different."
She said Alyssa Brand, Alexis Cannizzo and Courtney Servello, a trio of sophomores, were among those girls who have shown promise.
Murray, Palcovic, Friello and Danielle Nellis are among those who have been stepping into leadership roles, Benton said. All her seniors, she said, have been instrumental in the early-season workouts, though.
"I've got such a diverse, competitive, athletic group of girls, the seniors are all taking roles at different times on different days," she said. "All the returning seniors have been nothing but positive. I say jump, they say, 'How high?' I say 2 feet, they jump 4 feet."
Kelsey Schrum returns in goal and is benefiting from the presence of exchange student Amalia Senju and a J.V. keeper - Jessica Vickers - who could be pulled up sometime during the season and play a few minutes.
"I think having Jessica and Amalia there has helped Kelsey pick up her game a little more," Benton said. "She's aware of the level at which she needs to play this season and that we will be depending on her."
The season will start April 6 at 4:15 p.m. against Schenectady at Knox Field. The Lady Bills host a weekend of lacrosse April 10 and 11 at Knox Field with eight teams in four games over the two days. Johnstown will play South Glens Falls April 10 at 6:30 p.m., following a game between Glens Falls and Scotia-Glenville. The April 11 games will be between Schuylerville and Schenectady at 11 a.m. and Queensbury and Albany Academy at 1 p.m.
Benton said the early start to practice this season and the return to Knox Field has the Lady Bills chomping at the bit as they wait for the first draw to start their first game.
"We're so excited," she said. "We have the benefit of a turf field at home, a beautiful facility that gives the girls an awesome sense of pride. Also, this is the longest preseason we've had, so we believe by the time the season starts, we'll be ready to go. We just can't wait."