BOSTON, Mass. -- The Simmons Lacrosse team will look to build upon their stellar 2011 campaign this spring under second year head coach Amanda Maxwell. The Sharks, who made the conference tournament and ECAC tournament for the first time in program history last season, will return several key contributors along with nine newcomers to round out a team-focused roster.

Returning for the Sharks is Rachel Wallace (Braintree, Mass.) on attack, Lee Sutherland (Tuftonboro, N.H.) and Meaghan Maurice (Portland, Maine) in the mid-field, Seneca Martensson (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and Amanda Cardinal (South Hadley, Mass.) on defense. Each of these student-athletes will continue to be leaders on the field, push the offensive drive, stop the midfield transition and play solid in the defensive zone. Junior Kelly Last (West Haven, Conn.) will continue to lead the defense from between the pipes and pick up where she left off last season with a 0.512 save percentage.

The nine new faces to the roster will each bring great knowledge, skills and tenacity to the team. Stephanie Oliveri (Waltham, Mass.), Avery Hines (Newburyport, Mass.) and Caitlin McNamara (Abington, Mass.) will bring pressure on the attack. Mary Essa (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Wellie Antonellis (Keene, N.H.) will be quick to help in the midfield, and Symonne Fontenot (Portsmouth, N.H.) will be solid on defense.

The Sharks have their sights set high, with a team goal of taking the top spot in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference and to be competitive in the tournament. "I believe we are leaps and bounds ahead of where we were last year at this time. I think this goes hand in hand with the fact that we will not settle for fourth place," said Coach Maxwell.

"This group of 21 athletes push each other each day to get better and make the team better. They are committed to the team and are willing to give the extra effort for a successful season. Our team motto for the season is 'determination, dedication and desire' I think those three words speak volumes for the team's focus and goals for the season."

The Sharks open their season on Thursday, March 8th at 6:00 p.m. when they travel to Gordon College.