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Lacrosse Season Preview: Stetson Hatters Open Season Saturday at Campbell

Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in , , , .
  via Stetson press release   The wait to return to competition hasn’t been as long for Stetson Lacrosse it was for some other programs, but head Christy Leach and the Hatters are still bursting at the seams to get back out on the field and face another team, in a different uniform. They’ll finally get their chance on Saturday when the Hatters visit Campbell for Stetson’s season opener. The pain and frustration of how last season ended still lingers. After a thrilling upset of Oregon to start the year, the Hatters played just four more games before their season came to a sudden halt as the sports world went on lockdown due to COVID-19. The timing couldn’t have been worse for the Hatters. “We were about to have six games in-a-row at home, and the players were really looking forward to that,” Leach said. But out of the negativity of how the 2020 season ended, Leach and the Hatters have found positives. “The whole situation gave everyone a fresh new perspective on everything they care about and how much time and effort they put into it,” Leach said. “The players seem more appreciative now. It was a good learning tool for our team. We appreciate being together and having practice and spending time together, which was taken away from us. The excitement for this season is real and it’s been great to see so far.” And why wouldn’t the Hatters be excited? Nearly every impact player from the last several seasons returns to the fold in 2021, and Leach has arguably her deepest roster in years. Returning are high-scoring attackers Riley Reagan, Jacklyn Levy, Marina Rotella and Saige-Lyn Gidzinski. That foursome has a total of 161 career goals between them, with Rotella scoring 43 during the 2019 season. Reagan has led the ASUN in assists in each of the last two full seasons. Goalie Kiera McCarthy, who begins her third season as a starter after playing every minute the last two seasons, is also back. McCarthy is a preseason All-ASUN pick. A young but talented back line is led by Preseason All-ASUN selection and team co-captain Christina Nikolai. And the midfield? Leach believes that’s Stetson’s deepest area. “Our midfield is the deepest it’s ever been,” she said. “We have eight to 10 midfielders who can contribute on any day. Our overall depth is impressive this year, as is our consistency level.” Experience will play a large role in Stetson’s success in 2021, with Nikolai and co-captain Taylor Zuberer assuming top leadership roles. The Hatters boast four graduate students and five seniors on the roster, and their experience and leadership are already paying off. “That’s been a real bright spot for us,” Leach said. “Over the years, my goal has been to get that senior class ready for this year. Now add in the graduate students and we have a formidable group. We’re in a really good spot. They all lead in different ways, which is good.” The ASUN Conference race will look a bit different this year, with just four teams participating. Stetson will play only three ASUN games – one each against Jacksonville, Kennesaw State and Liberty. “This is going to be one of the more competitive years for our league,” Leach said. “All four teams are strong. There are no easy games in our league this year, and that’s what you want.” The Hatters get things started on Saturday. About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University’s Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.  

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