Girls LAX fueled by Young Guns

Every team has its go to players that you can depend on to score a key goal, spark a run, or add the insurance markers needed to win the game. On the Bridgewater State College women's' lacrosse team, freshman Jenny Jones, and sophomores Kate DeMaio and Shannon Manning are this year's big three. "It's very exciting as a coach to see that our three leading scorers are sophomores and freshman," said head coach Erika Smith.

On last year's 9-7 squad, Manning led the team in goals in her freshman season. She finished with 48 goals and 11 assists for 59 points. This season she has notched an eye-popping 44 goals and 44 assists for 88 points. On defense, Manning leads the team in draw controls (57) and ties for second on the team in caused turnovers (16).

"Shannon is a great leader and overall a great player," said Smith. "She not only has great stats for goals and assists, but she also is one of our top leaders for such stats as draw controls, caused turnovers, and ground balls."

One of the reasons that the team has been successful is because the team plays well as a team, according to Manning. While breaking career milestones may be rewarding, passing long-held team marks are just as important to her.

"My team has been successful because we play together," said Manning. "Its not about who scores the points, its about getting the ball and passing to one another making it a quick transition with a fast crash on the net. It's not about individual record breakers, we have broken many records as a team. That means the most."

Last season, DeMaio scored 29 goals to go along with 12 assists for 37 points. This year she is second on the team with 49 goals while tying for third with 18 assists.

"Katie has improved this season," said Smith. "She is a great shooter from day one, but this season is the season that she has put her superior skills into games."

DeMaio says that last year she was tentative as a freshman. She really wasn't sure whether to take a shot, pull it out or pass it.

"This year I saw the opportunity, I took it and it worked," said DeMaio. "I think this season I have just had more fun and played to my potential."

Jones comes to the team from the Division I Massachusetts State Champion Framingham High School. While at this school, she helped her team as they won their second straight title over East Longmeadow last season. As an attacker, she helped the team accumulate a 25-0 record. With 52 goals this season, Jones is only eight goals off from tying the single-season record held by Ann Silvia, who graduated in 1999.

"Jenny is one of the smartest players that I have seen in a long time," said Smith. "She knows how to get open, how to beat defenders, and how to put the ball in the net."

College is not that much different from playing at high school, according to Jones, but there definite contrasts in the way the team is composed.

"There is not one superstar," said Jones. "The entire team is completely balanced. Everyone on the team is extremely talented, which gives our team great depth."

While Jones, Manning, and DeMaio have each scored over 40 goals this season, three other players have registered more than 30 goals. In addition, the team has five players with more than 17 assists and three more players who have dished out five or more balls.

"We can hit the open player, no matter who it is," said Manning. "We are not a negative team. We always stay positive on and off the field."

On Wednesday, the 12-4 Bridgewater State College lacrosse team will take on NEWLA rival Westfield State in the semifinal round of the conference tournament at 3:30 P.M. The Bears went undefeated in NEWLA play and if they win they will take on the winner of Worcester State versus Castleton on Saturday.

"I am very excited about our record," said Smith. "We worked hard for it Wednesday's semifinal game will be a great challenge for us and I am looking forward to it. We have five great seniors that deserve to win a championship.