SELINSGROVE, PA (February 11, 2022) – The Susquehanna University women's lacrosse team is coming off a 2021 season that finished with a Landmark Conference Tournament victory, but it was a young team in transition and one with big hopes. Those hopes continue to grow this season, as the team once again remains young with just three upperclassmen.

"We are a younger team, we only two seniors and one junior," said head coach Randall Swope. "We're young but we'll also surprise some people because we're more talented than we have been overall. There is going to be a learning curve, the rules are different from high school, but this sophomore class has been great mentors to the freshman class. It'll take a few games for the freshman to really to understand the urgency we need to have every game."

The excitement to continue mentoring a young squad for Swope, now in her fifth season with the River Hawks, has her coming to the field each day this spring ready for something new. The growth every day that the coaching staff has seen out of this team has it optimistic that the team that opens next Wednesday will look better every practice and game.

"It's been exciting that every day someone has done something new that's impressive," said Swope. "We've been trying to make sure that we call them out for it, point it out. We are trying to make sure that we're acknowledging the positives that they understand that those good things help us win. Right now, we're creating our expectations to then be able to hold the players to them later in the year."

That positive reinforcement has been great for a group that still is coming together after dealing with so many challenges with Covid in 2021. The leaders of the team have made sure to help bond a squad, focusing on the culture heading into the season.

"The camaraderie is different this year, just because of the landscape with Covid changing coming into the year," said Swope. "It was hard for our senior class last year due to everything going on, but the consequences of that was that each class or own dorm were isolated. This year, completely different, there's a lot more bonding and a lot more excitement about what we can do instead of what we can't do."

Within the team and looking at the roster, this is a squad that's built for the long rigors of a full schedule. SU hasn't played the full season since 2019, but the squad has depth in all spots this year as it looks to continue its ascent in the difficult Landmark Conference. That competition within the squad for playing time will make everyone better, while providing different looks for opposing teams.

"We're deep and even in every place of the field," said Swope. "When we are trying to figure out starting lineup, its difficult because of the competition. We're able to matchup based on the other team, we can rotate players around, and that's exciting. Long term people will stand out, but right now it's very competitive."

A position-by-position breakdown of the River Hawks is below.

ATTACK
The Susquehanna University attack this season will rely on the returning All-Landmark Conference First Teamer Caroline Chase, who is back for her senior season with the River Hawks. The Trumbull, CT native posted 41 points on 28 goals and 13 assists, both team highs for Susquehanna. Chase sits with 72 points for her collegiate career and will be a focal point for SU on attach this year.

First-year player Liv Owen has already started to stand out for the River Hawks in spring practice, as the southpaw has fit right in with the attack unit. Owen, who comes from a strong lacrosse area in the Northern Virginia, should compete for immediate playing time up front.

Sophomores Hannah McNamara, Samantha Aben and Heather Riefenhauser all have aspects of their games that will be huge assets for the River Hawks. McNamara missed most of last year due to injury but is back and brings great size and length to attach group with her 6-0 frame.

Riefenhauser was one of SU's top scorers in 2021, as she potted 14 goals to go with four assists while starting all nine games. Riefenhauser also led the team in game-winning goals, while her shot percentage of 56 percent also led all River Hawks from the right side. Aben is a very consistent and steady player who earned four starts last year as a first-year player. Aben does a lot well, has a high IQ and can influence the game in many ways.

First-years Nikki Genovese and Makenzy Backus also are coming along this spring and will compete for playing time on attack. Backus was a four-year letter winner in high school, racking up over 100 assists as a prep standout, while Genovese is a quick, shifty attacker that played brings a strong nose for goal.

MIDFIELD
Susquehanna's midfield brings a group into this season that has a ton of athleticism and the ability to stretch the field due to their footspeed and endurance. The starting group of senior Katie Hoerman, Kelsey Homberg and Madi Mitchell is all back from last year, as the trio started all nine games for the River Hawks.

Homberg was a standout last year as a first-year player for SU, as the younger sister of current Susquehanna assistant and alumni Kaitlin Homberg was named to the All-Landmark Conference First Team. Homberg was fourth on the team in points but was strong in the circle with a team-leading 39 draw controls. She ranked seventh in that category in the Landmark and was second on the team in caused turnovers.

Hoerman tallied 13 points on nine goals and four assists last season and had a strong all-around year as she ranked in the top five in points, shots, ground balls and draw controls. Mitchell, heading into her sophomore season, stepped right into the starting lineup and tallied 10 goals for SU last season. Mitchell was great defensively though, as she led the team in caused turnovers with 10 while picking up 13 draw controls as well.

Susquehanna also brings back sophomore Caitlin Harvey, who played in eight of the nine games as a first-year, starting seven games. Harvey tallied five goals but was great at drawing free position attempts while playing more of an offensive role for SU. Harvey scored on three of her free position attempts, tying for the second-most on the team.

First-years Emma Kelleher and Allie Kutler each will battle for time in the midfield this season. Kelleher played for a strong prep squad in the Northeast Pennsylvania area, as she was All-Luzerne County all four years at Wyoming Area High School. She was named as a First Team All-Star by the Citizens Voice and has a nose for the goal.  

Kutler is very athletic and was a four-year standout for Blair Academy in high school. Kutler is a draw specialist and will help in that area, as will attack Hannah McNamara.

DEFENSE
The River Hawk defensive unit will be supplemented by some of the returning midfielders in Mitchell but should be solid this year after ranking among the leaders in 2021 in caused turnovers and ground balls. Susquehanna brings back both Mitchell and Liz Hordesky as likely starters, but the competition for playing time on defense will continue throughout the season.

Hordesky started all but one game last year, as she ranked in sixth in ground balls on the team while causing seven caused turnovers last year. Her athleticism, positioning and IQ will be huge for a group that is comprised of all first-years and sophomores.

Sophomores Mackenzie Lloyd and Katie Quackenboss each return on the defensive side of the ball as well, as Lloyd earned three starts in 2021 while posting three ground balls and a caused turnover. Quackenboss played in four games as well, so their experience within the Landmark Conference will be key.

First-years Chloe Pappalardo, Claire Williams and Katie Neville will also look to break into the defensive rotation this season. Pappalardo has a high lacrosse IQ with solid footwork and a fearless mentality, while Neville played for one of the best squads in North New Jersey at Ridgewood. Williams is athletic and was an All-League player in both field hockey and lacrosse. All three will battle for time this season on the back end.

In net, Emmy Regan will hold down the fort as she comes off a season where she was fourth in the Landmark Conference in save percentage. Regan started six of the nine games as a sophomore, playing in 242 minutes while making 49 saves and stopping 45.8 percent of the shots. Regan posted a save percentage of .500 or higher in four games last season.

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The River Hawks will start their season Wednesday afternoon, February 16 at 4 p.m. at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA, before making their season debut on Sassafras Field on February 26 at 1 p.m. against Alvernia University.