FEBRUARY 26, 2016

KING'S WOMEN'S LACROSSE TEAM TO DEBUT SATURDAY AGAINST CAZENOVIA

WILKES-BARRE — The King's College women's lacrosse team will open the 2016 season on Saturday when the Lady Monarchs play host to Cazenovia College at 1:00 p.m. at McCarthy Stadium.

Follow the game online at the following links:

Live Video:  http://livestream.com/kingscollege

LiveStats:   http://www.sidearmstats.com/kings/wlax/

King's enters the season with a great deal of experience returning from the 2015 squad which finished 8-7 and advanced to the semi-finals of the MAC Freedom Conference Tournament. King's welcomes back 14 players who figure to once again have the Lady Monarchs in the playoff hunt.

 

Heading the list of returnees are veteran senior captains Breanna Schurgot, Erin Dempsey, and Elizabeth Donovan.  Schurgot, a midfielder, and Dempsey, a defender, have started every game of their King's careers.  Last season Schurgot posted 24 points on 22 goals and two assists with 32 ground balls  and a team-high 18 caused turnovers while Dempsey posted 17 ground balls.  Donovan started 14-of-15 games a year ago as a defender and had seven ground balls.

In addition, fellow senior Hayley Greenwood is also back after scoring six goals with 11 ground balls and seven caused turnovers. Katie Cryan stands as King's final senior and returns to provide offensive depth.

 

Offensively, King's returns several key weapons, led by sophomore standout Anastasia Araviakis.  A year ago Araviakis became the first King's player to earn IWLCA All-Region Team and was also honored as the MAC Freedom Conference "Rookie of the Year" while also garnering first-team All-Freedom status. "Greek Lightening" led King's with 69 points on 51 goals and 18 assists while adding 64 ground balls, 51 draws, and 43 caused turnovers.
 

Also back is junior Gabriella Morrocu who also earned first-team All-Freedom honors in 2015. Morrocu rivaled Araviakis statistically with 62 points on 50 goals and 12 assists and added 65 draws, 26 ground balls, and nine caused turnovers.  Sophomore Kendra McCoy is King's third returning first team All-Freedom selection. Last season McCoy tallied 29 points on 24 goals and five assists while adding 47 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers.

The Lady Monarchs also welcome back sophomore midfielder Sarah Almony who enjoyed a solid rookie campaign with 24 points on 21 goals and three assists while chipping in with 18 ground balls. Sophomore Juliette Mortimer will also add depth up front.

Defensively, rejoining Dempsey and Donovan are sophomores Megan O'Brien, sophomore Brianna Zawacki.  In goal, King's will utilize junior Courtney Stefanik and sophomore Brianna Zawacki. Stefanik missed the entire 2015 campaign with an injury while Zawacki started 14 games and posted a 12.3 goals-against average with 76 saves.

Freshmen looking to make an impact include Molly Clewer and Kathleen McIntosh at attack; Aleaha Blazick and Amanda Carroll in the midfield; and Jordyn Devary on defense.

King's will play a 15-game schedule under sixth-year head coach Laura Patton.