Cardinals Ready to Challenge for MEC Title

By: Michael McDonald

Women's Lacrosse | 2/24/2016 2:33:00 PM

2016 WJU Schedule
2016 WJU Roster
2015 WJU Season Stats

WHEELING, W.Va. – The 2016 season is just around the corner, and the Wheeling Jesuit women's lacrosse team is ready to challenge for a Mountain East Conference title. After being voted second in the MEC Preseason Coaches Poll released earlier this month, head coach Tim Florence and his team are ready to prove they are worthy of more than their ranking.

"We are ready to compete, and we just need to trust the systems that we have put in place," Florence stated. "We have a lot of returning players, and we are all ready to begin the season."

The Cardinals begin the 2016 season with a series of four games in the Carolinas. WJU first faces off with Newberry College (S.C.) on February 29, before it takes on Montreat College (N.C.) the next day.

The Cardinals complete their spring trip with games against Belmont Abbey College and Wingate University on Friday, March 4, and Sunday, March 6 before they return home to host Tiffin University on following Friday, March 11.

"We play a quarter of our season in one week, so that will be a challenge. We're ready to see how well we have prepared, and if we are where we need to be. We are really looking forward to the season," Florence added.

The Cardinals, who finished last season 6-8 overall and 4-1 in the MEC, will be guided by their senior attacker Jessie Tufnell.

Last season's MEC Offensive Player of the Year, Tufnell returns as a three-year starter on offense. The Texas native led the league with an average of 5.25 points per game. Jessie finished her junior campaign with 45 goals and 30 assists. She has a career total of 139 goals, and has scored multiple goals in a game 36 different times.

"Jessie can shoot, score, or feed her teammates, and I think that's what makes her so dangerous," Florence remarked. "I look for her to continue her success during her senior season."

Elizabeth Hales joins Tufnell on the attack. Hales also received All-MEC Second Team accolades.

"Elizabeth is a great player. She possesses great versatility as she can play on or off of the ball," Florence added.

Hales compiled 84 goals in her first two seasons as a Cardinal, 46 as a freshman and 38 a year ago. She also assisted on 23 scores last season.

Junior Paige Plesich and sophomore Kori Hickman complete the WJU attack returners. Plesich and Hickman both played and started in all 14 games last season. Plesich scored 19 goals, while Hickman charted 12 goals and gave out 15 assists.

"Paige is a great finisher around the net," Florence said. "She works extremely well with Jessie and Elizabeth. Kori started all of our games as a freshman, and that says a lot. She is very unselfish and completes our attack very well."

Ally Coggins comes on board for the Cardinals at the attack position.

"Ally has had a great fall and spring as we prepare for the season. She's coming on at the right time, and I believe she has the potential to shine in our system," Florence expressed.

The Cardinals midfield returns three starters – Olivia Krock, Mary Burner and Markie Wright – from a year ago. Juniors Krock and Burns started all 14 games last season, while sophomore Wright made 12 starts, but played in all 14 games.

Krock scored 16 goals, fourth on the team, and collected a team-high 37 groundballs. Burns chipped in eight goals and 14 groundballs, while Wright scored 11 times and secured 23 groundballs.

"Olivia is coming into her own, after playing a lot of minutes her first two seasons," Florence stated. "Mary will be our primary draw, and we will rely on her for this. Markie has a year under her belt, and I could see her making the biggest leap in goals or assists this season."

WJU adds three potential impact freshmen midfielders in Kate Calder, Taylor Booth, and Taylor Quigg. The three newcomers will compete for minutes at the crowded midfield position.

"Our junior midfielders have all the experience in the world. So, Kate and Taylor (Booth) will be in the position to spell some relief for the starters," Florence stressed. "Taylor played in a club system under a former Wheeling Jesuit Alumni, Chris Fox. She is very talented on defense but flexible enough to play mid."

"Taylor (Quigg) will see minutes at midfielder and at defender. She can be a lock down defender in the low defensive spot," continued Florence.

Senior Kassidy Forsen has been battling an injury and looks to make a return during her last WJU campaign.

Junior All-MEC First Team honoree Holly Deckert looks to steer the Cardinals defense. She started all 14 games, scored seven goals on nine shots, caused a team-high 22 turnovers, and secured 35 groundballs.

"Holly has played every game that she physically could since being here. She is extremely reliable and has tremendous range," Florence stressed. "She is a key factor in our clearing game."

Taelor Mailoux and Mia Gilardi, both juniors, also return as key defenders. Mailoux appeared in 11 games and Gilardi in five.

"Taelor steps into a very important role – a vacancy in our defense. She's very steady, reliable, and still coming into her own," Florence added. "Mia is a very hard worker and is extremely dedicated. She will be competing for playing time."

Florence can turn to a trio of sophomores – Lyndsay Carpenter, Brianna Wahle, and Danielle Wheeler – for additional defensive help.

Wahle started 13 WJU games last year, while she caused 12 turnovers and collected 21 groundballs. Carpenter picked up 28 groundballs and forced 11 turnovers. Danielle Wheeler appeared in seven games for the Cardinals.

"Brianna is a lunch pail kind of player. She will bring her best every time she steps on the field, and she is always ready to play. She brings a feisty and aggressive feel to our defense," Florence explained.

"Lyndsay is your classic low defender. She is great at taking the top side away, getting pressure on the attackers and a key piece to our defense. Danielle is doing a great job of competing for playing time as she is an extremely tough and a very hard worker."

The Cardinals cage will be protected by third-year starter and All-MEC Honorable Mention selection Maire Austin. The junior had 118 saves in 806 minutes last season.

"Maire is our rock in the cage. She's the ultimate team player," Florence remarked. "She works hard every day and our success is based on how well she plays. If we do not leave her on an island, we will be very well off."

The Cardinals look to build off the past seasons success, as they return their top-eight scorers, key defenders, and goalkeeper from a year ago. The WJU pieces are in place for a strong MEC title surge.

-GoCards-

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