UConn women's lacrosse to face Iona

This weekend marks the opening game of the 2013 season for the UConn women’s lacrosse team. The Huskies will be traveling to New Rochelle, NY. to play Iona Saturday.

UConn finished last season with an overall record of 10-6 and were undefeated at home. To improve on their record this year, the team has been relentlessly practicing a wide range of skills to enhance their performance on the field.

“Every year we want to be better than the last. To improve our record from last year, we need to take care of the little things,” head coach Katie Woods said. “We have to stay in the moment, and play at our level every day.”

This year, UConn was picked No. 6 in the Big East Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. The Huskies were tied in sixth place along with Louisville each earning twenty-six points in the poll.

“I think being chosen sixth adds an extra motivation to the girls,” coach Woods said. “We want to be the best and compete for a Big East Championship, so we have a lot to prove.”

Although UConn lost their top offensive player, M.E. Lapham, the team seems very comfortable. Lapham, who graduated in 2012, had 48 goals and 14 assists breaking the UConn scoring record. She was also named All Big East First Team and ranked eleventh all time in the Big East with 84 points in league play.

“We have some large shoes to fill with the graduation of M.E. but I think players are stepping up,” coach Woods said. “ It’s an exciting time to see how our offense develops and gels over the next couple months.”

UConn has tremendous confidence in their upcoming season, and is eager to prove their dominance in the conference despite their loss. The team has eight of the top ten scorers returning this season, along with senior goalie Brittney Testa, who started in 31 of 32 straight games for the Huskies. UConn also has junior Lauren Kahn who was awarded All Big East Second Team in 2012 returning as a midfielder this season.

Out of 16 games this 2013 season, the Huskies have a total of seven home games. The most significant part is that four of the seven home games will be played back to back later on in April. Having four home games in a row is extremely advantageous for the team not only mentally but physically as well.

“Home games are always a good thing… there is nothing like playing on your home field,” coach Woods said. “We love welcoming teams to our turf and Storrs, Connecticut – there’s no other place like it on earth. There are countless home field advantages.”

The past two seasons UConn has defeated Iona 10-7 and 18-11. Although UConn played Iona at home last season, they hope the familiarity will allow them to prosper even on the away turf. UConn will be put to the test this weekend in hopes to start the season off with a win.