GUILDERLAND — The Guilderland girls’ varsity lacrosse team has high hopes for the 2008 season.

The reigning Section II Class A champions hope to repeat as champions and advance in the state tournament this season. There are some holes to fill from graduation, but Coach Gary Chatnik is optimistic.

“Last year was great,” he said. “We grew as a team as the season progressed and it ended with a championship. We had a young team with talent, but we were fortunate with great senior leadership. It will be hard to replace those seniors.”

Nikki Branchini, Lynn Tran, Julie Malkowski, and Jen Kaye all graduated last year.

Branchini was a first-team All-American and first-team Suburban Council all-star. Tran, Malkowski, and Kaye were first-team all-star defenders.

“Their play was outstanding,” Chatnik said. “But what set them apart was how they were responsible and how they molded our young team together. We are looking to see who will lead this year, but so far it has been good because most of the team wants to lead. It is a great team to coach.”

There are just three seniors on this year’s Lady Dutch squad.

“We return eight starters and three players got quality time last year,” Chatnik said. “Every girl on the team played lacrosse last summer and fall. They have all improved and they have tasted success. They like it.”

Guilderland returns a lot of talented players, led by senior Captain Abbey Fashouer. The left-handed attacker had 46 goals and 17 assists and was a second team all-star last season.

“Abbey had an excellent year last year and is poised to have a great year this year,” Chatnik said. “She had a great summer and is ready to play. Abbey plays with the intensity that everyone should play with.”

Running with Fashouer is junior Danielle Tetreault, also a second-team all-star who led Guilderland in scoring last year as well as scoring five goals in the championship game.

“I think that the best lacrosse Danielle will play is yet to come. She had an outstanding sophomore year, but her game has improved so much since last year, she will be a force again this year.”

The strong attack also includes junior Courtney Davis.

“Courtney had an excellent year last year,” Chatnik said, “but this is the year she makes her mark. She scored 21 goals last year and missed nearly six games. Courtney has looked excellent this spring and we have high expectations for her.”

Rounding out the starting attack is junior Jen Madsen.

“Jen is also poised to have a top season,” Chatnik said. “She also had an excellent summer of playing and her game has really grown. Jen had 20 goals last season and quarterbacks the offense. She will be much more of a scorer this year.”

Also playing on attack are Meera Chappidi and sophomore Jenna Crupi.

“Meera got some quality time for us last year, scoring a huge overtime goal in a win at Shaker,” Chatnik said. “She is steady and consistent. Jenna is improving and understanding the system. She should see more time this year.”

The midfield is strong led by juniors Amanda Best, Bridget Daley, and sophomore Chelsey Newman.

“We have been blessed with strong midfields over the years and this year’s is the strongest yet,” Chatnik said. “Our middies are fast, athletic; they score, and play defense. Amanda is very consistent and what she does on the field is not always in the box score. Her field sense is uncanny and she always seems to get the ball. She had 25 goals last year in being named a second-team all-star, but I believe that she will exceed that mark by a lot this year.

“Bridget’s value also does not appear in the stats,” Chatnik said, “but she won our top defensvie player award last year. Her offensive game has really improved and she will be a scoring threat. She also will have a breakout year.”

“Chelsey scored 42 goals last year,” Chatnik added, “but I really like the way she is finishing her shots this spring. She is finding corners and also distributing the ball well. Her game is more complete this year.”

Kristen Cagino and Ali DeRizzo will back up the trio.

“Kristen has improved a lot,” Chatnik said. “She has gotten more aggressive and her stick is solid. She will be part of the rotation. Ali has made good strides in her first year on varsity. Once her stick gets going and she learns the system, she will make good contributions. It will be soon.”

The defense is fairly new this year, but is doing well in the pre-season.

“Everyone knows that we graduated four first-team defenders last year,” Chatnik said, “but the group we have this year has worked quite hard in the off-season and I think they will surprise anyone.”

Senior captain Lauren Cagino leads the defense. She was a second-team all-star last year.

“She has a great work ethic and really pulls the defense together. Her teammates look to her as a leader. She has taken the role and run with it. We look forward to her having a great year.”

Juniors Corinne Chatnik and Amy Branchini join Cagino in the starting line-up.

“Both Corinne and Amy worked extremely hard this summer and fall,” Chatnik said. “The results show on the field. Corinne’s stick has really gotten good and she is a strong defender. Her reads on defense are good and she is ready to step up.

“Amy also has a good stick and is a very smart player. She reacts well to the play and knows what to do. She is ready to make her mark.”

Sophomores Marissa Page and Casey Gerety will also be part of the rotation.

“They bring a lot of speed and aggressiveness to the defense,” Chatnik said. “Marissa has worked hard and, once she gets her stick work to a high level, she will be a top player. All the ingredients are there. Casey also has shown us a lot on the field. She plays hard and has good field sense. Her stick is improving and we are expecting a lot this year.”

Junior Molly Barker will also see time this year.

“Molly has improved,” Chatnik said. “She is working hard and the hard work will pay off.”

Sophomores Hannah Scott and Julie Stefani round out the defense.

“Hannah is getting better each day,” Chatnik said. “She works hard and should see time this year. Julie is showing improvement and will gain a lot of experience this season.”

The goalie position will be anchored by sophomore Amanda Santandrea.

“Amanda has worked hard at being a top goalie,” Chatnik said. “I have monitored her progress and the time she has put in to improve her game. I am impressed. We will be very pleased with her in the goal this year.”

Jen Daly, a former University at Albany all-star goalie, will be the new assistant coach for Guilderland, replacing Tara McConaghy.

“We are very fortunate to have Jen on our staff,” Chatnik said. “As good of a player as she was, I think she will have an outstanding career as a coach. She has been a welcome addition.

“We will also miss Tara who has helped build our program to a high level,” Chatnik said. “She means a lot to our team, but she is taking some time off to spend with her new son.”

Guilderland opens the season against perennial power Bethlehem.

“The Suburban Council will be very tough again,” Chatnik said. “It looks like a six-team race and hopefully we can come out on top again this year. We need to keep improving and peak at the end. The girls have set a goal for themselves and have worked extremely hard in moving towards it. They are working out and practicing when they could be lounging around. I like our chances.”