Following Large Turnover in Players Women’s Lacrosse Bounces Back With a Great Start

Davidson women’s lacrosse nears the end of regular season play after defeating George Mason this past Saturday, April 8, with a final score of 17-9, making them 5-1 in the Atlantic-10 conference, and 10-3 overall. The ‘Cats experienced their first conference loss on the season the previous Saturday, April 1, facing the first-seeded University of Massachusetts at home. The team tallied 4 goals against UMass’ 14.

Despite the loss, senior attacker and cocaptain Grace Fahey is confident in how the team can learn and improve from the game.

“Defense has been killing it. Holding UMass to 14 goals is impressive, we now just need to generate more on offense,” said Fahey. Head Coach Kim Wayne also emphasized embracing the UMass game in order to generate future wins. “We need to feel the pressure that UMass gave us every day we step on the field. If we can practice like we compete, then I believe we will see success,” said Wayne.

The program has experienced significant growth and improvement in the past few years, setting a new record in 2022 for the most wins in a single season with 13. To add to the team’s success last season, seven players were named to Atlantic-10 All-Conference teams, including current senior attacker Erin Cooke, junior defender Noelle Cegielski, and senior goalkeeper Amanda Monahan receiving FirstTeam honors, and sophomore midfielder Riley Moore receiving All-Rookie honors.

Cegielski has been a defensive starter since her freshman season in 2021, and witnessed the team’s progress first hand.

“I think since my freshman year our team has gained a lot of confidence. [That season] we beat a ranked opponent, Virginia Tech, for the first time and ever since then when we go into competition with a higher ranked opponent we just go in positive and hyped up knowing that we can do anything we set our minds to,” Cegielski said.

Despite graduating nine seniors after the 2022 season, Head Coach Kim Wayne remains confident in the talent of returning and new players.

“I knew losing [nine seniors] was going to be tough. But I also knew we were returning major threats [...] I believe we have reached or exceeded the expectations others had, and I know we still have so much more to give,” Wayne said.

In addition to strong returning players, the team welcomed 12 freshman this year, providing new talent for the ‘Cats. Freshman midfielder Allie Hartnett has already made an impact, tallying 18 points and 20 draw controls thus far in the season. Hartnett received her second-ever A-10 rookie of the week accolades after totalling two goals, five ground balls and five draw controls against conference opponent George Washington on Mar. 25.

In welcoming these 12 freshman, the current roster is the largest in program history, with 38 players. Senior attacker and co-captain Erin Cooke has watched the team grow from 28 players her freshman year to the now 38.

“With this increase in numbers, it’s been a great experience to be a part of a program that embraces so many different players who can come together to play some really good lacrosse,” Cooke said.

Wayne sees a larger roster as an opportunity to become more competitive, and as a stronger backup when injuries occur.

“Knowing that we can still practice and compete despite injuries or illness gives us hope,” Wayne said. “I have also seen players step up in ways that I wouldn’t have expected and that’s always fun to see.”

For the remainder of regular conference play, the ‘Cats will face Saint Joseph’s, Richmond and La Salle. In the 2022 season, they were victorious over La Salle, but fell short in close games against Saint Joe’s and Richmond. Cegielski has been waiting for the opportunity to face Richmond again this year.

“Since I have been [at Davidson], we have never played them at home so I’m excited to have our home turf and friends to support us during a hard competition,” Cegielski said.

The Spiders currently hold the second-seed spot in the Atlantic-10 just above the ‘Cats.

With difficult competition still to come, Cegielski recognizes the importance in seeing each game as a learning experience.

“There will always be things we need to work on and those shouldn’t be viewed as our weaknesses, we need to work as a team to strengthen all aspects of our play together.”