The 2013 season brings many new faces to the William Smith College lacrosse team. The Herons return 12 student-athletes from last spring's roster and welcome 11 new players to the squad. Under the guidance of Interim Head Coach Brighde Dougherty '04, William Smith will begin the season on Friday, March 1, when it hosts St. John Fisher on Boswell Field at 5 p.m.

“I have a very positive outlook on this season. We have extremely talented student-athletes, both new and returning. Together they're a very cohesive group, on and off the field. I think we will surprise a lot of people as we're going into the season as the underdogs,” said Intern Head Coach Brighde Dougherty.

In 2012, the Herons advanced to the Liberty League Championship game and finished the year with a 9-9 record including a 7-2 mark in conference play. This year, William Smith was picked to finish fifth in the Liberty League preseason poll.

The Heron roster includes four members of the Class of 2013, Katie Dexter, Marissa Potter, Kathleen Ragan and Liz Seidel. The team will look to them for leadership as they bring a great deal of experience and skill at each position.

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

ATTACK

Dexter is the senior leader at attack. She played in all 18 games last season, producing six goals and six assists. Dexter grabbed 14 ground balls, caused nine turnovers and won five draws. She scored a goal and added two assists in last year's season opening win over the Golden Flyers.

Sophomores Katie Sipple and Abbie West also return at attack.  Sipple posted eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points and added seven ground balls and two caused turnovers. She logged two points in seven straight games midway through the year. West played in 16 games as a first-year. She notched 12 goals and chipped in two assists. West scooped up 16 ground balls and collected 10 draws. First-years Meg Hannan, Kate Byrne and Hannah Connolly will bring depth at attack.

MIDFIELD

Both Ragan and Potter are veterans at midfield for William Smith. Ragan garnered Liberty League honorable mention last season. She led the Herons with 21 assists and ranks fifth in the league in assists per game (1.24). She ranked second with 34 goals for 55 points. Ragan finished the year eighth in the league averaging 3.24 points per game. She scooped up 32 ground balls, caused 12 turnovers and won 10 draws. Ragan scored the game-winning goals against Nazareth and Vassar, and recorded four or more points in seven games last season.

Potter earned All-Liberty League second team honors in 2011. She suffered an injury at the start of the 2012 season, and was unable to play. In 2011, she started all 15 games. Potter led the team with 15 assists and ranked second with 42 points. She chipped in 27 goals. Potter added 29 ground balls, 33 draws and 13 caused turnovers as a sophomore.

Sophomore Hayley Braun played in eight games last spring. She earned her first collegiate point on an assist against Vassar and scored her first goal in a victory over Bard. The Herons brought in four new players, first-years Geneva Calder, India Tibbetts, Emy Stratton, as well as, sophomore Lauren Swan at the midfield position.

DEFENSE

Seidel returns to anchor the defense. She played in all 18 games last spring. Seidel picked up 23 ground balls, won eight draws and caused 11 turnovers. She also contributed three goals and an assist. Junior Micailah Adee also brings experience for the Herons on the defensive end. Adee played in 16 games last year and picked up 13 ground balls. She scored her first collegiate goal in a 17-6 win over Rochester.

Sophomores Taylor Anderson, Rachel Hughes, Cat Gorman, and Molly McElgunn are looking to build on their rookie seasons.  Anderson saw time in 10 games. She scooped up four ground balls and won two draws. Gorman played in all 18 games last spring and started all but two of them. She grabbed 21 ground balls, caused nine turnovers and won five draws. Hughes garnered All-Liberty League honorable mention as a first-year. She played in 17 games, starting 15. Hughes ranked third on the team with 40 ground balls and second with 18 caused turnovers. She also won 12 draw controls. First-year Gabi Bush and junior Emily Pitkin, will be working to make an impact on defense in their first year on the team.

GOALIES

First-years Marina Guigli and Allie O'Hara are both fighting for the starting goalie spot. Each brings a very different skill set, which could prove to bring balance as they may split playing time in net in the upcoming season.

SCHEDULE

After taking on the Cardinals, the Herons will begin a streak of six road games.  William Smith will travel to play at No. 3 Cortland, Nazareth and No. 18 Hamilton before heading to Orlando, Fla., over spring break where they will take on Springfield and Buffalo State. The Herons return to New York to complete their span of road games with their first Liberty League contest at Union on March 30 at 2 p.m.