FROSTBURG, Md. – The senior laden 2017 version of the Frostburg State women's lacrosse team opens its season on Saturday, February 18 when it welcomes Goucher to Bobcat Stadium at 2:00 pm.
 
Welcome Back
Hayley Engster returns for her second year as the head coach of the women's lacrosse program with a very succinct goal in mind of leading her Bobcats to the CAC Tournament. And she has the talent to do just that as she welcomes back nine seniors and 10 starters from last year's squad.
 
"Our goal is simple, to the make the CAC Tournament," said Engster. "We make a commitment every day in practice to reach that goal."
 
The word choose has quickly become an often-mentioned expression amongst the players and coaches throughout the preseason to help keep in mind their goals for the season.
 
"We often mention choose because it reminds the coaches and players that we have a choice to honor and own our standards every day," added Engster. "Honoring our standards is a reminder of the commitment we need to have to attain our goals."
 
Last spring, Frostburg posted six wins against one of the toughest schedules in Division III as the Bobcats faced five ranked opponents.
 
Returners Galore
Without a doubt, the accent heading into the 2017 season for Frostburg is the amount of talent and depth returning to the roster. The Bobcats lost just two players from last year's roster and return 18 players that appeared in a total of 187 games.
 
The Bobcats also welcome back 10 starters, their top five scorers, a three-year starter in net and their entire defensive unit.
 
Senior Guidance
Inside the returning 18 players, is a core group of nine seniors that have spent their careers rebuilding the Bobcat program and 2017 should see them compete for a spot in the CAC Tournament.

Alyssa Barlow

 
A closer look inside the returning nine seniors reveals 149 starts a year ago. The nine seniors are Megan Hart, Haley Hines, Alyssa Barlow, Logan Brady, Ali Scrivener, Molly Hart, Jamie Twardowicz, Emani Byrd and Dylan Teitelbaum.
 
"The nine have taken on a leadership role and created a culture that has helped for a seamless transition with our eight freshman," mentioned Engster.
 
The Defensive Anchor
Senior goalie Dylan Teitelbaum is a three-year starter and heads into her final season as the anchor of the Bobcat defensive unit. In her previous three seasons, she has amassed 341 saves in over 2,200 minutes of action and has faced an impressive 994 shots.
 
She has appeared in 41 games and has started 36 games and Engster is counting on her experience and veteran presence to help solidify a defense that finished sixth in the conference last spring in goals allowed (178).
 
Last season, Teitelbaum was fourth in the CAC in saves (148) and fifth in save percentage (46.3).
 
Getting Defensive
In front of Teitelbaum, the Bobcat defense boasts the return of seniors Alyssa Barlow, Haley Hines and Ali Scrivener along with juniors Samantha Cataldo and Lachele Coates. The five totaled 40 starts last spring, 77 ground balls and caused 36 turnovers. The same group also contributed 15 goals on the offensive side of the field.
 
Providing additional depth to the backline with be freshmen Mackenzey Adams, Sidney Serres, Chloe Scrivener, Autumn Lippy and Jenny Rabush.
 
Abigail McClure returns for her second season as a backup keeper and will be joined by freshman Emalie Mayo. McClure made four saves as a freshman in three games in which she appeared.
 
In The Middle
While the defense will be key to the success of the Bobcats this spring, the midfield will also be crucial because three of the Bobcats' top five scorers from last year reside in the middle.
 
The senior trio of Molly Hart, Emani Byrd and Logan Brady combined for 32 starts, 67 points, 78 draw controls and 54 ground balls. With the returning talent, this group should emerge as one of the top units in the CAC.

Logan Brady

 
Molly Hart led the group with 21 goals and six assists, Byrd was second with 17 goals and five assists, while Brady was third after finding the net 13 times in just eight games.
 
Byrd led the team last spring with 40 draw controls and Engster expects Byrd to continue in that role. Engster also noted that freshman Nikki Hallikas, Brady and sophomore Jessica Hartley could also help on the draw.
 
Up Front
The Bobcat attack also returns its most talented players from last spring. Senior Megan Hart and sophomore Morgan Cavey finished as the top two scorers and combined for 61 points behind 49 goals.
 
Megan Hart has registered over 30 points in each of her previous three seasons in a Bobcat uniform, while Cavey made an immediate impact on the lineup as a freshman. Megan Hart enters her final season with 101 career points.
 
Juniors Tara Whitney and Courtney Ridenour and freshman Molly Biggers will also provide depth and additional scoring threats up front.