West Chester Favored to Win Lacrosse Title

(March 5, 2008)

Lacrosse coaches from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference have picked West Chester as the favorite to win the Conference title in 2008.

West Chester was followed in succession by Lock Haven, Bloomsburg, Shippensburg, IUP, Millersville, East Stroudsburg, and Slippery Rock.

West Chester looks to capture their seventh title in the last eight years as they are coming off a tough loss in the NCAA Championship game last season.  The Golden Rams were 14-0 in conference play last season and 19-2 overall.  Both of West Chester's losses came at the hands of National Champion C.W. Post.

West Chester returns All-American and PSAC Lacrosse Player of the Year in Stephanie Kienle.  Kienle scored had 74 goals and 66 assists on the season, setting the NCAA single-season points record (140).  Kienle will be joined by All-American and the Golden Rams leading scorer from a year ago in Jackie Baker.  Baker scored 81 goals, including eight game winning goals.  First team All-PSAC selection Gina DiDomenicis will be a force on defense for the Golden Rams

West Chester is poised to face conference foe Lock Haven.  The Lady Eagles have played runner-up to the Golden Rams the last two years and All-American Jessica Blickenstaff, second-team All-American Amber Hoch, PSAC Rookie of the Year Leigh Titus, second team All-PSAC selection Caitelynn Watts and the rest of the Lock Haven squad look to take the top spot from West Chester.

Bloomsburg finished third last season, but looks to improve its position and make a push for the top.  Coach Quigley has her team focused as they return second team All-PSAC selections Kelsey Quigley, Bridget Maenner and Angela Picciotti.

Shippensburg rounds out the top four positions.  The Lady Raiders return first team All-PSAC selection Bethany Long and second team All-PSAC selection Kristen Crutchfield.  Long is a defensive specialist that looks to anchor the Lady Raiders back line.  Crutchfield posted 53 goals for Shippensburg last season and looks to improve those numbers this season.
 

Other All-PSAC returners

First Team

Katie Lee                 IUP

Renee Maniscalco     East Stroudsburg

Second Team

Janelle Cronmiller     East Stroudsburg

Kimberlee Hachen    West Chester

Mallory Zalawski      IUP

Kylie Miller               IUP

Joann Caminiti         Millersville