GOLDEN FLYERS THINKING BIG AGAIN
Nazareth seeks third straight E8 title, NCAA berth
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Feb. 15, 2007) -- Now in her 12th season as a women’s college lacrosse coach (and her eighth at Nazareth), Sue Behme (pictured) has been able to see the bigger picture and is thus unfazed in losing players to graduation.

“Graduation is a fact of life,” said Behme, who lost eight players from the Golden Flyers’ 2006 Empire 8 Conference championship team, including two first-team All-Americans. “I don’t get hung up on that. I feel confident that anyone on our team can step in and do the job when the time comes.”

Last season, the Golden Flyers did a job on many of their opponents as they finished 14-1 overall and captured their fourth Empire 8 Conference championship. They also made their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance under Behme’s direction. They entered the tournament unbeaten and received a first-round bye, then lost a close game to Franklin & Marshall, 10-7. Nazareth opens its 2007 season in North Carolina March 11 against Division II St. Andrews.

Defense has served as the Golden Flyers’ calling card in recent seasons and it was never more evident than in 2006 when they led all of Division III with the lowest goals-against average (4.73) and were ninth in scoring margin (7.33).

“We want to be as balanced as possible,” said Behme, whose 113 career wins rank among the best in Division III. “I think we have some very good team speed that should make us dangerous to defend.”

Nazareth lost its starting goalie, Heather Chaapel, who was named Division III’s top goalie after posting a stingy 4.43 goals-against average and a .628 save percentage in ‘06.

Defender Betsy Carney, a first-team All-American and the team’s fourth leading scorer also is gone, along with reliable players Sandy Tompkins and Kristyn Lingenfelter. The offense also took a hit with the graduation losses of Kim Kreskow, Amy O’Donnell and Melissa Passno, three of the team’s top six scorers.

Sophomore Maria Fusco (Immaculate Heart Central/Watertown, NY) played in nine games as a backup to Chaapel in ‘06 and is poised to play more in 2007. Freshman Ann Sessler (Cazenovia HS/Cazenovia, NY) is the team’s other goalie.

Senior Liz Wells (pictured, Ithaca HS/Ithaca, NY), a first-team E8 all-star, and sophomore Hannah Brennan (Penn Yan Academy/Penn Yan, NY), a second-team selection, return as defensive starters. Senior Sarah Mack (Cortland HS/Cortland, NY), junior Eireann Byrne (West Genesee HS/Camillus, NY) and sophomore Mary Kate Scardillo (Academy of the Holy Names/Slingerlands, NY) also earned playing time last season. Defensive newcomers include freshmen Nicole Cottone (Cortland HS/Cortland, NY), Lauren Evans (Marcus Whitman HS/Stanley, NY), Melissa George (West Genesee HS/Syracuse, NY), Kelly Lighton (Bishop Ludden HS/Syracuse, NY) and Jamie Robison (Watertown HS/Watertown, NY).

Senior Tia Morgia (Watertown HS/Watertown, NY), the Golden Flyers’ leading scorer in 2005 and 2006 and a two-time E8 all-star, is probably the team’s steadiest offensive player. Junior Beth Quartier (Cicero-North Syracuse HS/Cicero, NY) also returns with 50 career goals to her credit. Seniors Colleen Earley (Corning-Painted Post West/Painted Post, NY) and Jessica McArdle (Lancaster HS/Depew, NY) each played regularly in 2006 as did juniors Allison Bayer (Corning East HS/Corning, NY) and Sara Spillane (Christian Brothers Academy/Liverpool, NY) and sophomore Jessica Caprara (General Brown HS/Watertown, NY).

Newcomers at attack are freshmen Stephanie Cash (Saratoga Springs HS/Saratoga Springs, NY), Nora Davis (Bishop Ludden HS/Syracuse, NY), Lauren Kostuk (Cortland HS/Cortland, NY), Alyssia Roberts (Marcus Whitman HS/Stanley, NY) and Korinne Smith (North Tonawanda HS/North Tonawanda, NY) and sophomore Stephanie Lattimore (Auburn HS/Auburn, NY).

Senior Caitlin Zimmer (pictured, East Rochester HS/East Rochester, NY, 38 career goals) is the Golden Flyers’ most experienced midfielder. Juniors Caity Richardson (Pittsford Mendon HS/Pittsford, NY) and Rachel Baranello (Homer HS/Homer, NY) also have played along with sophomores Maggie Mullin (Irondequoit HS/Rochester, NY) and Kate Schneeberger (Watertown HS/Watertown, NY). Freshman Jennifer Young (Marcellus HS/Marcellus, NY) also will compete for playing time.

“It’s a unique group in that we have great mentorship from the upperclassmen,” said Behme, who will be assisted by Shawna Kabot, Lindsay Gotham and Rachel Spoonhower. “”Everything has been very positive on and off the field.”