By Daniel Miller
The Kennesaw State Women’s lacrosse program is set to begin its third year, and while the team has dealt with a variety of obstacles in its first two seasons, expectations for this season are high.
“This team looks completely different than last year’s team,” KSU head coach Kristina Llanes said. “I think we are in a much better position in personnel, depth and experience.”
Llanes has compiled a 2-23 record in her two seasons with both wins coming in Atlantic Sun conference play against Howard University.
The Owls will be relying on the experience from the numerous freshmen that saw playing time last year.
“There have been several sophomores who have come back, and their mentality is just different,” Llanes said. “It brings a different level of confidence, and their agenda is different. I know I said that a lot in the fall, but they’re out here to win, not just out here to play. They are out here to gain the experience and to get better.”
Much of the roster from last year remains largely intact mainly because there is only one senior on the team along with four juniors. KSU will be forced to rely on the key contributors from last years’ underclassman.
“The player growth on this team has been exceptional,” Llanes said. “Our sophomores saw a significant amount of game time last year, so that really put them ahead of a typical sophomore for an intercollegiate program.”
However, one of the offensive leaders from a year ago, Olivia Hokanson, who finished her freshman campaign with a league-high 43 goals and averaged 3.31 goals per game, will be out for the season with an ACL injury suffered Sept. 16.
“I think having her not on the field this year will just provide opportunities for others to step up,” Llanes said. “I think that it’s going to happen sooner rather than later.”
Other key contributors for the Owls this season will be sophomore Taylor McGhee, who proved to be one of the Owls most versatile players last year recording 13 goals, four assists and winning 27 draw controls.
McGhee is expecting to be more comfortable as she enters this season compared to last.
“I think last year it was kind of hard to tackle the nerves of just playing in a college level game,” McGhee said. “I feel a lot more confident this year on attack and just being more prepared for the game in general. I feel now I can really go out and help lead the team.”
With the Hokanson injury, sophomore Sydney Farwick will be counted on to lead the offensive attack for the Owls. Last season, Farwick posted a team high in draw controls with 48, and in assists with 12, while finishing second on the team in goals with 26.
As a result Farwick was selected to the A-Sun Preseason All-Conference team.
One of the most intriguing storylines coming out of fall practice is the goalkeeper situation. Last season Peyton Murdock was the primarily goalkeeper, but this year the battle behind the net is between senior Allison Senit and freshman Elaine Bradley.
“We’ve got different strengths in both Allie and Elaine,” Llanes said. “Allie has got tangible items that you can’t really coach. She’s tall, she’s a lefty, which is rare in that position, so that allows us to throw a wrench into any opponents attack. Elaine is more active inside the crease so were looking to showcase her athleticism.”
KSU will officially begin the season Saturday Jan. 31 at Elon before heading to Vanderbilt Saturday Feb. 7. Following the match against the Commodores, the Owls will conclude their non-conference schedule that features eight games.
The Owls first home game at Fifth Third Bank stadium will be Tuesday Feb. 10 versus Winthrop.
“We’ve overcome a lot in the fall, and I think the team is real excited to play well this year,” McGhee said.
