By Amrit Brown\/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expectations are high for women\u2019s lacrosse this year due to the talent of the incoming freshman class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Head Coach Emily Barber said she believes that the team has bought into the culture and is ready for the tough conference and nonconference schedule they will face. In Barber\u2019s first season last year, the team went 5-11 and picked up only one win in a difficult conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barber has set distinct statistical goals for the team this year including raising goal\/assist numbers and increasing forced turnovers. The team scored a majority of its goals unassisted last year and cleared the ball at a rate nearly 100 points lower than its opponents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The culture of the team also remains a big focus of Barber who brought in an unusually large freshman class this year. \u201cOur culture has shifted a little bit with our bigger incoming freshman class,\u201d she said. Despite this shift Barber wants the freshmen to fit in with the current upperclassmen on the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Barber, much of the cohesion on this year\u2019s squad is coming from the captains. \u201cOur leaders set the expectations and everybody is kind of on the same wavelength for goals,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barber also discussed the activities that the captains employ to improve team camaraderie as well as skill. These include holding captains\u2019 practices as well as fun activities outside of lacrosse to increase morale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The team’s leadership includes three captains, one senior and two juniors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In preparation for the season, the team scrimmaged Shenandoah University Saturday, Feb. 4. The team lost 14-4 to a team which was ranked fifth in Region V last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The squad opens the season at home against Randolph-Macon College Feb. 18 and the conference season on March 29 against York College, the current 12th ranked team in the country, according to USA Lacrosse Magazine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"