Simmons Lacrosse, the ninth varsity sport to be added to the Department of Athletics, will begin its inaugural season in spring 2009, led by Head Coach Kate Leonard. The team's first year of competition will be focused on building the Simmons Lacrosse program. The roster is a collection of familiar fall sport faces, along with new talent from the college's undergraduate pool.

Coach Leonard sees great offensive potential in veteran soccer players Natalie Stever (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) and Heather Lowe (Bath, Maine). Varsity newcomers Freya Damrell (Georgetown, Mass.) and Meaghan Maurice (Portland, Maine) round out the offensive squad. "They have strong stick skills, are quick and aggressive, and are smart about their plays. I foresee this group working really well together on attack."

Field Hockey athletes Lee Sutherland (Tuftonboro, N.H.) and Jen Szkolt (Bondsville, Mass.), along with varsity first years Kayla Tirrell (Lincoln, R.I.), Marissa Games (Newburyport, Mass) and Suzy Tremblay (North Andover, Mass.) make up the Sharks defense. "They have shown great tenacity and discipline," said Leonard. "They will work well with goalie Amanda Weaver (Eaton, Ohio) who has proven to be vocal and courageous in net." Weaver joins lacrosse from the Volleyball team.

As a new program, Leonard has many improvement-based goals for her team. "We will look at each game as a chance to try something new, take risks, and improve our teamwork and tactics, adjusting little things along the way. Smaller goals will change game-to-game, but overall we want to get this program off on the right foot by playing with heart and hustle no matter what, taking lessons away every moment."

Sharks Lacrosse opens the season in an away game against Emerson College on Wednesday, March 18 at 4:00pm.