The William Smith lacrosse team will begin the 2011 season on Saturday, March 5, when the Herons square off with Nazareth in Pittsford, N.Y., at 3 p.m. William Smith returns 17 players from last season's roster including eight of their top 10 scorers. The Herons welcome six first-years as they start off their first season calling Boswell Field home.

The Herons will play their home opener on Tuesday, March 22, when they host St. John Fisher at 5 p.m. It will be the first time a William Smith team has played on Boswell. Over the past year, the Boz got a FieldTurf surface, a new 3,000-seat grandstand, lights for night games, and a beautiful new entrance, the Froelich Gatehouse. Also the Abraham Sports Medicine Room was expanded to continue to support the medical needs of HWS student-athletes.

On Saturday, March 26 prior to their game against Geneseo, the Herons will dedicate the Pat Price Genovese William Smith Lacrosse Team Room in the newly renovated and expanded Elliott Varsity House at the Caird Center for Sports and Recreation, named in honor of legendary Head Coach Pat Genovese by former and current players and their families.

In 2010, William Smith finished with an 8-7 record, earning its fifth consecutive winning season. The Herons went 4-4 in conference play and were just an overtime loss shy of qualifying for the Liberty League Tournament. William Smith lost four seniors to graduation, Katie Harrington '10, Brittany Callaghan '10, Molly Fitzgerald '10, and Sarah Goodkind '10. Fitzgerald was a four-year All-Liberty League pick and 2010 all-region selection. She led William Smith with 38 goals and 16 assists for 54 points last spring. Callaghan ranked fifth on the team in points with 17 on 10 goals and seven assists, led the team with 32 ground balls, and was second on the team with 31 draw controls.

Here's a position by position look at this year's Herons.

ATTACK

Five Herons return at attack and William Smith welcomes one first-year to the mix. Senior Cassie Findlay played in 14 games and started nine, recording 20 points on 13 goals and seven assists. Findlay is a strong player around the crease and will be looked to to connect the offense and defense. Junior Rosie Scheibel started all 15 games last season, and was second on the team with 34 goals and 42 points.

Juniors Christine Abramo and Katherine Vesce will also be in the mix at attack. Abramo played in seven games last spring, and Vesce saw time in 10. Sophomore Emily Leahy will help to round out the Heron offensive unit. She recorded nine goals and four assists in 13 games in her first season as a Heron. First-year Kate Shaw and Kelsi Cleary-Hammarstedt, a transfer, will also bring depth on attack.

MIDFIELD

This year, the Herons will return an experienced core in the midfield. Juniors Lucy Johnson and co-captain Callie Frelinghuysen will anchor the unit. Johnson was named to the IWLCA All-Empire Region Second Team, and earned All-Liberty League First Team honors last season. She was third on the team with 33 goals and 39 points. Frelinghuysen earned a spot on the All-Liberty League second team. A starter in all 15 games, she collected 31 ground balls and caused 24 turnovers. Frelinghuysen ranked second in the Liberty League averaging 1.60 caused turnovers per game.

Also returning is fellow junior Kathryn Gillan. She started all 15 games last spring and recorded 25 goals and five assists. Gillan tied for second on the team scooping up 31 ground balls. She is a player who will be able to make an impact both offensively and defensively, as well as direct the center draw.

Four sophomores will be back at midfield. Kathleen Ragan played in 14 games last year, recording 12 points on 10 goals and two assists. She also contributed 16 ground balls. Classmate, Liz Seidel started 14 of the 15 games she played in. She was second on the team with 13 caused turnovers last spring and fourth with 23 ground balls. Seidel will be a part of both the offensive and defensive mix for the Herons. Marissa Potter logged 17 points (15 goals, 2 assists), 16 draw controls and 15 ground balls, and versatile player, Katie Dexter, saw time in 14 games last year.

Also returning is senior Kara Grogan. She saw time in 11 games last season. She will bring both speed and experience and spend time at both the midfield and attack. First-year Micailah Adee has an opportunity to see playing time at the defensive end, and classmate Hannah Schickel will fight for playing time in the middle.

DEFENSE

Junior co-captain Megan Brophy will return to lead the Heron defense. Brophy started all 15 games last season. She picked up 10 ground balls and caused six turnovers.

Experienced sophomore Mary Kate Renehan hopes to return to action soon after starting all 15 games, recording 12 ground balls, and causing 10 turnovers last season. Classmate, Megan Marra returns after seeing time in five games last spring. First-year Rachel Fippinger is expected to push for time on the defensive end.

GOALTENDERS

William Smith welcomes back sophomore goaltender Jesse Wilson. She started all 15 games last season. Wilson is an agile presence and brings vocal leadership to the field. She was fourth in the Liberty League averaging 9.0 saves per game. First-year Maggie McNair will be a quality backup in the cage, as she continues to adjust to the collegiate game.

After taking on the Golden Flyers, William Smith will head to West Palm Beach, Fla., for two games over spring break. The Herons will take on Babson, who is ranked 16th in the nation in the IWLCA poll in the first round of the Lindley Tournament. William Smith will then face either No. 3 Franklin & Marshall or Messiah. The Herons will start off Liberty League play at Boswell Field on April 1, when they host St. Lawrence at 4 p.m. The William Smith schedule also includes contests against No. 6 Cortland, No. 2 Hamilton and No. 11 Union.