2013 Women's Lacrosse Season Preview

(Click here to watch the 2013 Women's Lacrosse Season Preview)

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's lacrosse team's quest for a third SCIAC title in four seasons begins on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. vs. SCIAC foe Occidental. The Athenas are coming off a 6-10 campaign in 2012, but have several key returners back this season as they look to get back to the postseason.

Among the Athenas' top returners is All-American and first team All-SCIAC midfielder in senior Madi Shove (Scripps) and junior midfielder Maddie Bannon (CMC), a second team All-SCIAC selection. Senior attacker Rachel Darby (Scripps) is also a key returner for the Athenas as she joins Shove as the team's co-captain. Last season Shove led the team in goals (64) while Darby was third in goals (24) and assists (8).

With a solid core of offensive players back, much of the team's success in 2013 may depend on how a pair of freshmen in Sara Ginsburg (CMC) and Kate Anello (CMC) fill in at goalie. Freshmen defenders Maddie Davidson (CMC), Erin Larsen (CMC), Alex Savino (CMC) and Christina Coffin (CMC) should also play an important role on the defensive side. Sophomore midfielder Christina Sutherland (CMC), a transfer from Skidmore College is another new face expected to see time.

With several new players, the Athenas don't have a lot of time to gel as a team with a crucial conference matchup against conference runner-up Occidental scheduled for the first game of the season. Home games against Redlands and Pomona-Pitzer along with games against Colorado College and a trip to the Spring Fling Tournament highlight the 2013 schedule for the Athenas.

Click here to watch the 2013 Women's Lacrosse Season Preview
Become a fan of CMS Athletics on Facebook: AthleticsCMS
Follows CMS Athletics on Twitter: @AthleticsCMS