WEST CHESTER, PA – One of the longest and most unpredictable off-seasons in recorded history is finally over, and the Golden Rams' nationally ranked women's lacrosse program picks up its sticks for the 2021 campaign right where the 2020 slate ended – with a date against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference rival Shippensburg University on St. Patrick's Day.
No. 5 West Chester travels to Shippensburg for a 4 p.m. season opener that comes 371 days after the world seemingly came to a halt in response to a global pandemic. The Golden Rams bring a 31-game winning streak against the Raiders into Wednesday's opener, along with some unfinished business on the national stage.
West Chester handily defeated both Georgian Court and Shippensburg in its only two contests of 2020, before COVID-19 brought the sports world to its knees. However, the year previous to that (2019) head coach Ginny Martino guided her ladies to the NCAA Division II national championship game. With 333 tallies in the "wins" column during a hall of fame coaching career, Martino returns a solid nucleus, including a few that she ultimately didn't expect to have on her roster in 2021.
Because COVID ruined the senior season for so many across the country, the NCAA has granted a blanket waiver for each to return, if they so chose. Well, for Martino and the Golden Rams, four took the NCAA up on its offer and will don the Purple & Gold for one more run at a title.
"Having our four super seniors returning is the experience that we need," commented Martino. "It is critical to have those players return who have the knowledge, drive and desire to return to the championship game. The leadership from that group will stear this team in the right direction. We are definitely excited to see what this year's squad can do."
UP FRONT
The decision for Tatum Altman (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) and Tara Morrissey (Downingtown, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) to return leaves intact one of the most explosive offenses in the PSAC in 2019. Both are closing on in the 100-100 club at West Chester University (100 goals, 100 assists in a career) and are sure to draw the attention of the opposition's top 1v1 defenders.
Junior Helen Kreschollek (Bethlehem, Pa./Saucon Valley) should also be a force in the middle with her size and heavy shot. Young attackers Hayley Greenberg (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick), Chloe Ondria (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) and Emily Williams (Pottsgrove, Pa./Pottsgrove) will learn from some of the best to do it in school history.
IN THE MIDFIELD
The NCAA's blanket waiver delivered another unexpected surprise in West Chester's lap when Kelly Baumann (South Huntington, N.Y./Walt Whitman) enrolled in graduate school at the University following a stellar college career at Division III Albright College, and tracked down Martino in the midst of a pandemic to see if there would be a spot on her roster. Baumann was a four-time all-conference selection (2017-20) at Albright and brings 161 career goals and 245 points with her to South Campus.
She joins seniors Trisha Baud (West Deptford, N.J./West Deptford), Drew McKinney (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) and junior Lindsey Monigle (Rehoboth Beach, Del./Cape Henlopen) in a very talented midfield. Baud scored 21 goals as a freshman and another 13 as a sophomore – all the while handling the bulk of the faceoff duties in the center circle. She will most likely be asked to do that again this spring. McKinney is another option on faceoffs and another potent offensive threat around the cage. She has 38 goals in three seasons and will wear the captain's "C" this spring. McKinney is the glue to this very deep midfield unit. Meanwhile, Monigle was enjoying her best collegiate campaign a year ago when the pandemic struck. She posted 10 points in two games and had really begun to hit her stride and comfort zone in Martino's offense.
Sophomores Taylor O'Brien (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) and Erin Mendini (Holmdel, N.J./Holmdel) return with one college season under their belts. They will fight for playing time with a good group of freshmen led by transfer Hannah Stanislawczyk (Mohnton, Pa./Gov. Mifflin), who spent the fall semester at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. Fellow freshmen Grace Frasso (Cinniminson, N.J./Cinniminson) and Meg O'Donnell (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland) are gifted middies as well. Freshman Meghan Cull (Springfield, Pa./Springfield-DELCO) may see time in the midfield, or at attack.
THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE
In the back, fifth-year senior and pre-season All-America Molly Reinhart (Sinking Springs, Pa./Wilson) highlights a cast of characters who will protect the cage at all cost. Reinhart was set to sit out last year when an injury in the preseason ended any chance of her playing until the fall. Now, Martino gets back one of the best defenders in the country and one of the team's most vocal leaders.
Fifth-year defender Lexi Einsig (Reading, Pa./Exeter Twp.) flanks Reinhart on the right side. She is crucial in the clearing game and relentless in 1v1 situations. Her decision to accept the NCAA's offer of another year helps the back line immeasurably.
"Lexi is a player that we could not have played without," Martino admitted. "She brings boundless energy and a carefree style that ignites our defense."
Junior Claire Dennis (Shillington, Pa./Gov. Mifflin) was slated to replace Reinhart when the latter went down – and she filled in admirably for the two games last spring. That experience, along with Reinhart's coaching from the sideline, has made Dennis so much better and reliable in the back.
"As they say, attack wins games, but defense wins championships," Martino added. "We are so happy to have Molly (Reinhart) get her season back, when at this time last year, our hearts were breaking for her. Seeing her out there in practice tearing it up, and having a chance to complete her senior season, makes what we have gone through worth it."
Senior Allie Ward (Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville) and junior Julia Rossi (Hamilton, N.J./Notre Dame) are candidates for the left side of Reinhart. Both have experience on their side and work well with some of the returning defenders.
Sophomore Gillian Peters (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill West) and a pair of freshmen: Courtney Medwin (Coral Springs, Fla./American Heritage) and Cassidy Hirsch (Willow Grove, Pa./Upper Moreland) will fight for time as well.
"This defense will be exciting to watch play," said a head coach who is most notably famous for producing deadly offensive players at attack. "Their speed will push through the midfield and right into the attack. They are starting to find their comfort zone and get better every day."
THE GOALIES
Returning in the cage and serving as one of the team's captains on the field is senior Julianne Clemens (Springfield, Pa./Springfield-DELCO). One of the top goalkeepers in the PSAC, as well as one of the top keepers in school history, Clemens is the backbone of the defense for Martino. Perhaps the only thing keeping her from owning nearly every mark in the Golden Rams' record book will be COVID-19. Her junior year was reduced to just two games. Though a deep playoff run in '21 could offset that gap in games played and still leave her atop the charts in many categories.
"Having Jules (Clemens) backing up this group in front of her completes the wall that we are trying to build," Martino said.
It will be Clemens' job to mentor a pair of sophomores in their continued development. Jessica Gorr (Exton, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) and Ellie Hughes (Abington, Pa./Abington) will compete for the top reserve role on the depth chart in the cage.
FINAL SUMMARY
West Chester was picked to win the Eastern Division of the PSAC. The league has divided into two divisions for the first time in a decade. The Golden Rams are the two-time defending conference champions, having won the post-season tournament in both 2018 and 2019. West Chester will take two spins around the East, playing each opponent in a home-and-home format.
Martino's squads have always known how to put the ball in the back of the cage and 2021 should be no different. If the players handle the adversity, which is sure to rear its ugly head in these challenging times, then West Chester should find its way back to the championship game. A pair of matches against nationally ranked East Stroudsburg will be the measuring sticks for this squad in a year that does not see them play a non-conference opponent until the postseason.
The strengths of this Golden Rams team are right where you want them to be. They are good at the "X" on attack, good in the midfield all the way across, and the All-American in the middle at Close 'D' will be a difficult match for anybody. Add in a senior goalkeeper, who has already taken her team to the national championship game, and it is hard to find a weakness in Martino's assembled group.
"This season can't come soon enough for us," Martino concluded.
