Feb. 17, 2010

FAIRFAX, Va. - With a deep roster that includes a mixture of talented newcomers and savvy veterans, the George Mason women's lacrosse team hopes to return to the CAA Championship Tournament in Head Coach Lauren Rywak's second season at the helm of the program.

Despite the hardship of many close overtime conference games that were decided by a single goal in 2009, the Patriots return a number of players that were key contributors to Mason's 2008 team that won the most games in program history with 12. That team finished the season ranked 16th by the IWLCA.

An experienced group at attack should lead to some fireworks on the offensive end. One of those returning veterans is junior attacker Madalyn Jamison, a CAA All-Rookie Team selection in 2008, who earned Second-Team All-CAA honors last season after leading Mason in goals (29), assists (30) and points (59). Her 30 assists during her sophomore season fell one shy of the single-season school record.

Another scoring threat that will be returning for her senior season is Megan Udovich, a CAA All-Rookie selection in 2007. Udovich tied for second on the team in goals scored last season with 28.

"Megan is a powerhouse on the attacking end," Rywak said. "She is very strong and has a hard shot that is tough to defend."

After scoring seven goals as a freshman, Callie Hoyt's output jumped to 22 last season as a sophomore. The junior connected on 50 percent of her shots from the field and is expected to play a major role in the attack this season.

"Callie stepped up for us last season and really scored a lot of key goals that kept us in a lot of close games," Rywak said.

Senior Cristina Maurizi will provide depth on the offensive end. The Summit, N.J. native came to George Mason as a defender but has made the move to attack.

"Cristina has definitely come on board as far as what our attacking unit is all about," Rywak said. "We're looking to get her on the field and benefit from her leadership as a captain and a senior. Her leadership is vital as she is one of three seniors on the team."

Also expected to contribute on the offensive end is Julianne Tela, who scored 14 goals in 15 games as a freshman last season, and Mary Schwartz, who played in 12 games last year with three goals and one assist. Tela played the midfield position last year, but will make the move to attack this year to suit her style of play. Schwartz' height will make it tough for opposing defenses to match up against her. Cailey Aburn and Samantha Massa return for their sophomore seasons at the position as well. Katie Gerhard, who played midfield last year but will switch to attack this season, returns for her sophomore season.

A pair of former CAA All-Rookie Team selections will highlight the midfield for the Patriots. Co-captain Chelsea Gamble returns for her junior season after a great all-around sophomore campaign. Gamble finished the year with 22 goals, 15 assists, 23 caused turnovers and 22 ground balls. Joining Gamble in the midfield is sophomore Emily Ellisen, who finished her freshman season with 26 goals and a shooting percentage of 57.8 percent. Both Gamble and Ellisen possess great height with Ellisen measuring in at 6-foot-1-inch and Gamble at 5-foot-11-inches.

"With their speed and height, Chelsea and Emily pose a great threat to our opponents on both ends of the field," Rywak said.

A newcomer that is expected to contribute immediately at the midfield position is freshman Caitlin Formato, from Lancaster High School in Lancaster, N.Y. A two-time captain at Lancaster High, Formato scored 146 goals during her high school career.

"Caitlin was really explosive for us during the fall season," Rywak said. "I'm looking forward to her making her debut on the field this spring. I think she's going to do great things this year."

Also joining the team at the midfield position is Amy Yatsuk, from Annapolis High School in Annapolis, Md., Kaylee Mikolon, from Shore Regional High School in West Long Branch, N.J., Allie Hilderbrandt, from Hopewell Valley Central High School in Pennington, N.J., and Margaret Mauer, from Archbishop Carroll High School in Eagleville, Pa.

The defensive unit loses one of its standouts in Maggie Bridges, who graduated last year after earning First-Team All-CAA honors for the third consecutive season. Despite the loss of Bridges, the Patriots return an experienced group on defense, including junior Caitlin Hoffen, a CAA All-Rookie Team selection in 2008. Hayley Berger and Lauren Gannon also return after starting all 16 games last season for Mason.

Three Patriots will vie for the fourth spot on defense. Newcomer Kiersten Jauschnegg, a transfer student who played high school lacrosse at Arundel High School in Gambrills, Md., is in consideration for the spot. Also in the running for playing time at that position are sophomores Joy Oberlin and Kara Bowman.

Newcomers on defense include Shelby Cohen, from Franklin High School in Reisterstown, Md., Ashley Argyros, from Seneca Valley High School in Cranberry Township, Pa., and Danielle Woll, from Lanape High School in Mount Laurel, N.J.,

Two goalies are vying for the starting spot. Senior Sara Longobucco's strengths include her three years of experience in the cage for the Patriots and ability to stop the opposing team's top attackers. Longobucco, a Second-Team VaSID All-State selection last season, has started every game in goal for the Patriots the past three seasons, but underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason which kept her from participating in preseason practices and scrimmages. She has been cleared to play at the start of the 2010 season. Freshman Brittany Pastrana, a product of Annapolis High School in Annapolis, Md., is hard working and has adapted quickly to the fast-paced play of the college game. Both players have the potential to become the starting goalie. Freshman Meghan Clothier will serve as the third goalie for the Patriots.

George Mason begins its 2010 season with eight of nine games in front of its home crowd at George Mason Stadium before beginning its Colonial Athletic Association schedule with two consecutive road contests.

"I think playing at home has great advantages," Rywak said. "Hopefully, it's going to give us the confidence that we need to start the season the way we want it to end. It's a great opportunity for the team to really get comfortable with each other and get into a groove before having to play on the road."

Mason begins its season on Tuesday, Feb. 16 against UMBC, and plays both Johns Hopkins and Virginia Tech during the month of February.

"I think those three games are really great games to start off with," Rywak said. "Playing those teams in front of our home crowd is really going to help the girls with their confidence and getting into the rhythm of the season."

After finishing their nonconference schedule with a game against California on Sunday, March 28, the Patriots' CAA schedule begins on Friday, April 9 at Delaware and wraps up on Thursday, April 29 at James Madison. The Colonial Athletic Association Championships are scheduled to begin on May 6 at the home of the conference's top seed. The winner of the conference tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.