GUILDERLAND — The Guilderland girls’ lacrosse team is setting its sights on winning the Section II championship this year.

Guilderland coaches Gary Chatnik and Tara McConaghy see a lot of potential.
"This will be our most talented team ever," Chatnik said. "If we put it all together and play to our capabilities, then we will be there to challenge for the title. We have a very tough schedule and Bethlehem is still the team to beat, but we have the talent to do it. Getting to the championship game last year was a big step for us and we played well in that game, which has given our players a lot of confidence. We have tremendous team speed, experience, and the will to win."

Guilderland returns most of its starters, graduating three seniors and losing one transfer.
"We did not graduate many in numbers, but the three seniors we lost were of the highest quality in both player and person," Chatnik said. He said of his daughter, "Lauren Chatnik was a three-time first-team all-star goalie and an All-American as a senior.
The coach went on, "Ashley Pezze was our defensive leader as well as one of our most valuable players. And Erin Grosso was our leader on attack. They were not only excellent players, but they were all captains and wonderful leaders. They were a pleasure to coach and they were important pieces in our successful year."

Kelsey Schwan, a top scorer, transferred to Burnt Hills.

Strong midfield

The midfield will be the strength of the team this year, led by four seniors and one junior. The strong group will be led by senior captain Kayla Best, a two-time first-team all-star and an All-American as a junior. She scored 62 goals as a midfielder and was a top defensive player.
"Kayla has all the ability in the world and last year she came into her own," Chatnik said. "She can score, she can assist, and she can play defense. We need Kayla to be the leader this year and bring the intensity to the team needed to get us to the top. I think that Kayla will have a great year and I really believe she is up to the task."

Another senior captain ready to have a great season is Kaitlyn Vennard.
"Kaitlyn was a first-team all-star last year and made her mark in the Suburban Council," Chatnik said. "She is a terrific defensive player and is excellent in transition. Kaitlyn has worked hard and will be even better this year."

The other senior captain, Laura Driessen is back after an injury-plagued junior year where she missed most of the season.
"We are glad to have Laura back," Chatnik said. "She had an excellent sophomore year, but we did not get her back until late in the year last season. Laura can score and had great speed. She has worked hard to get back and I see her having an excellent year."

Senior Jen Mihok will be a key component of the midfield.
"Jen is one of the smartest players on the field," Chatnik said. "She sees things well and her play is relentless. Jen is our most consistent player. She does not get all the newsprint, but her effort on the field is second to none."

Junior Nikki Branchini is the final midfielder of this talented group.
"Nikki has not played in a couple of years," Chatnik said. "But she has picked right up where she left off. She is an excellent defender and plays the field well. Her stick is coming around, and as this season progresses, she will create a lot of attention."

Offense is young but talented

Scoring should not be a problem for the attack led by senior Molly Daley.
"Molly was our second-leading scorer and a second-team all-star last season," Chatnik said, "but had a severe injury in the semifinals and missed the finals. We really missed her in the championship game. Molly just started playing attack last year and really figured out the position about half way through the season. She was playing terrific and just had some bad luck with the injury. This year she has come back strong, looks great in leading the offense, and has not missed a beat. This will be a huge year for Molly."

There are high expectations for senior Val Feldman.
"Val is primed for a big season. It started last year with several big games and this year I expect her to be very consistent throughout the year," said the coach. "She can shoot and she really knows how to get open. Val is very good in settling the ball and keeps getting better. She was an honorable mention all-star last year and I see her getting much more recognition this year."

The rest of the attack is young, but talented. Sophomore Abbey Fashouer and ninth-graders Danielle Tetreault, and Amanda Best will get plenty of playing time in the two remaining slots.
"Abbey is a true lefthander that we have not had before," Chatnik said. "I see good things happening with her this year and I like her intensity.
"Danielle has played well this preseason and will play a lot this year," Chatnik added. "She scored several goals in our scrimmage this weekend and will be an important part of the offense. Amanda has also played well in early scrimmages and will have a lot of time in the games. She has shown a good stick and field awareness which will only get better."

Juniors Lindsey Green and Nicole Califano round out the attack.
"Lindsey is working hard and will have chances," Chatnik said. "Nicole has shown great improvement and keeps getting better."

Defensive starters return

The defense returns almost all the starters. Junior Devon Rosenberry leads the way.
"Devon has a knack for knowing what is happening on the field," Chatnik said. "She has excellent field sense and knows what to do with the ball when she gets it. She was a co-winner of our top defensive player award last season and, from what I see this year, she has gotten better."

The other top defensive player for the Lady Dutch last year was Ashley Buck.
"Ashley has a lot of talent and helped anchor the defense," Chatnik said. "She has a lot of speed, a good stick, and good field awareness. Ashley is very solid and very consistent on defense."

Junior Lynn Tran also started as a junior last season.
"Lynn just keeps getting better," Chatnik said. "She works hard, her stick is good, and she makes things happen."

All three juniors started last season and have great speed and are very reliable on defense. They also have the ability to bring the ball up and score, Chatnik said.

The fourth starter on defense is senior Sam Ruppenthal.
"Sam is ready for a breakout year," Chatnik said. "She has the ability and this year she is starting so I think, as she gets her confidence, she will play a major part in the success of the team."

Backing up the defense are juniors Julie Malkowski, Lindsay Kost, Francessca Pezze, and Jane Shanklin.
"Julie has looked good in the early season and should get time," Chatnik said. "She has shown aggressiveness and good field sense. Lindsay is working hard and improving. I like how she is progressing. Francessca has shown us good things and has good potential. Jane is starting to understand the defense and has shown us some good things."

The goalie position is in the hands of junior Jen Kaye.
"Jen started playing goalie last May on the junior-varsity team and has shown remarkable progress," Chatnik said. "She will be solid for us and the team is very confident with her in the goal. I think that Jen will be the biggest positive surprise on the team. She has just started and will only get better."

Chatnik predicts that the league will be wide open this season.
"I see a seven-team race in the Suburban Council," he said. "Everyone has gotten better. We have to play each game like it is the championship, but, if we play to our potential, work hard, and execute, we have a chance to do it."

Guilderland opens the season on March 28 against Queensbury, and then plays powerhouse Baldwinsville on March 31, before beginning league play.