CNN/SI - SI for Women - 1999 College Sports Spring Preview -- Lacrosse

1999 College Sports Spring Preview

In '99, Egan (23) and the Terps can reach the top.

Lacrosse

Top Teams

1. Maryland
The Terps have the nation's deepest roster and should win a fifth straight national title. Veteran leadership will be provided by goalie Alex Kahoe and midfielders Christie Jenkins and Kristin Sommar, both members of the national team. Sophomore midfielder Meredith Egan will mark the opposition's top attackers.

2. North Carolina
The Tar Heels -- Final Four participants twice in the fledgling program's three years -- bring back 10 starters from a team that beat Maryland twice in the '98 regular season.

3. Virginia
Injury-plagued Virginia relied on underclassmen to reach last year's title game. Those troops return in '99 as experienced players and will provide plenty of support for senior midfielder Samm Taylor and junior defender Stephy Samaras, both U.S. National Developmental Squad members.

4. Princeton
The Tigers, who lost 8-7 to Virginia in the quarterfinals, should advance further with All-America midfielder Cristi Samaras (Stephy's older sister); the senior led Division I with 5.0 points per game last season.

5. Duke
Although the Blue Devils upset Maryland early last season, they were disappointed in a first-round playoff loss to Temple. With all but one starter returning, Duke will challenge for a Final Four berth and feature an offense anchored by junior attack Tricia Martin, who led the team in goals and assists in '98.

6. Dartmouth
If the Big Green doesn't improve its defense in front of talented senior goalkeeper Sarah Carlson, it won't matter how many goals All-America junior midfielder Jacque Weitzel scores.

7. James Madison
The Dukes, who enjoyed their first NCAA tournament win last season, have nine starters back, including All-America attack Megan Riley.

8. Penn State
After losing four games by two points or less during last season's 10-8 campaign, the Lady Lions hope a strong senior class led by midfielder Colleen O'Brien will be the difference in close games this year.

9. Loyola (Md.)
The Greyhounds lost nine players to graduation and two to transfer and need Chelsea Morley, Kathleen O'Shea and Therese Naab to step up if they want to return to the tournament.

10. Georgetown
Sophomore attack Sheehan Stanwick, a U.S. National Developmental Squad member, and tough senior defenders should take the Hoyas to another NCAA tournament.

Hot Dates

April 24-25
ACC tournament, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

May 16
NCAA title game, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore

Division II

Look for West Chester (Pa.) University to make its second appearance in the Division I tournament a good one with Division II All-America attack Teri Minzola and PSAC Rookie of the Year attack Kim Rochon.

Division III

Last season the College of New Jersey ended a 15-0 season with a 12-11 OT win against Williams in the championship game. With their top four scorers returning and Kate Atwell back on defense, the Lions should be perfect again and make their 14th trip to the finals in the past 15 seasons.

Cybersources

www.centennial.org/clusa
Extensive team information, stats and game summaries

www.uswla.org
Official rules, national team news and camp info

OTHER SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS

Softball
Track & Field
Tennis
Golf
Lacrosse