Hawks ready for season to start Sunday

The women's lacrosse team will take the field for the first time in 2009 when the Saint Joseph's University Hawks come to Lehigh on Sunday afternoon.

The Mountain Hawks are looking to build off of last season's finish, when they won five of their last six games before losing to Colgate University in the playoffs.

Lehigh ended up 10-7 overall and 4-2 in league play last year.

Six players were named to the 2008 All-Patriot League team, the most ever for one season in Lehigh's history. All six are returning this year.

Sophomore midfielder Lauren Dykstra was named to the all-league first team after setting freshman records of 61 goals and 76 points.

Dykstra's 61 goals were the most any player has scored for Lehigh in a season since 1995. Dykstra was also named the 2008 Patriot League Rookie of the Year.

While there is a lot of continuity in the team's players, this season marks a change in the coaching staff, as Head Coach Jill Redfern takes over for Liz Brode Ota after serving as an associate head coach for three years.

Redfern said she does not want the team to look too far down the road before the season begins.

"We want our team to focus on one game at a time and achieve our potential as a team," Redfern said.

Dykstra said the team has set some goals in the off-season.

"We obviously want to be Patriot League champions this year, and we want to go further in the playoffs," Dykstra said. "I think as a team we want to be really solid in all areas of the game: draw control, offense, defense and transition game."

Dykstra said the coaches have made sure the team is in peak physical shape heading into the season despite a few instances of inclement weather.

"Our team has been preparing all areas of the game with intense practice," Dykstra said. "We have worked very hard during the off-season to be in the best condition and everyone is practicing with intensity. When the weather has been bad, we do the best we can and get the most out of the indoors."

Over the semester break, a new field surface called TigerTurf was installed on the field at Ulrich Sports Complex. Redfern said the Hawks have tried to get acclimated to the new surface.

"We have been refining our strategies and getting out on our new field as much as the weather allows," Redfern said.

Dykstra said the Hawks are aware of what they need to do in order to accomplish their goals.

"We are a close team and the coaches have prepared us well," Dykstra said. "We need to execute our plays and game plan. We need to focus, control the ball and step up in each game with the kind of play we are capable of to win."

Dykstra said she expects the Patriot League to be strong this season.

"We have some really good competition in the league," Dykstra said. "We had tough teams in the tournament last year with Colgate winning, but anyone can step up this year. I think we will see a lot of new talent on the field as well."

Last season, Colgate finished 10-9 overall and won the Patriot League Championship. Redfern said Colgate and Navy will most likely give the Hawks the most trouble during the season.

"Colgate and Navy may be the most challenging games for us," Redfern said. "We have to play well against every league team to win [the championship] though."

Redfern said having so many returners on the team has made her transition into the head coaching position easier.

"We are a disciplined team with solid decision-making," Redfern said. "Experience and determination are also strengths for us. We are a small group, so consistent performance is the responsibility of every player."

Lehigh's season opener against Saint Joseph's is set to begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Ulrich Sports Complex.

Hawks ready for season to start Sunday