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2006 Season Preview 9/22/2005 In 2006, the Commodore lacrosse team will attempt to rebound from last year’s 6-9 record. If recent history is any indication, that should not be a problem. Vanderbilt’s last three losing seasons have been followed up by 10-plus-win seasons. Most recently, the Commodores transformed a 7-8 record during the 2003 season into a 12-6 record and a 2004 NCAA Final Four berth. Head Coach Cathy Swezey’s squad has no intention of bucking the trend this year. With four All-Conference honorees returning to the Music City this season, Vanderbilt is expected to be a force in the powerful American Lacrosse Conference. “We could not be more excited for the 2006 season,” Swezey said. “We have a team that returns several players from the 2004 Final Four run, as well as a young group that earned plenty of experience last year. We look forward to making our way back into the national spotlight.” The 2005 season was a learning experience for a team with a host of youthful talent. But the Commodores proved a tough bunch, amassing a 4-1 record in one-goal games (their lone loss came at defending national champion Virginia), including a pair of overtime victories over Notre Dame and No. 20 Ohio State. Nine starters return for the 2006 season, including seniors Kate Hickman and Bryn Sedlacek. Hickman, a two-year captain, led the team with 41 goals and 47 points a season ago. She ranks sixth on Vanderbilt’s career goals scored list. Sedlacek, one of the team’s emotional leaders, has started 31 games the past two seasons and contributed 17 points. An equally impressive group of underclassmen will help that duo share the load on both sides of the field. Defensively, junior Molly Frew was an All-ALC selection a year ago, leading all players in ground balls and caused turnovers. Sophomore Sasha Cielak earned third-team All-American recognition from Inside Lacrosse magazine after being the Commodores’ featured defensive stopper. Sophomore Margie Curran and juniors Kendall Thrift and Jennifer Tapscott also return to form the remainder of a potent Vanderbilt attack. The trio combined for 70 goals and 112 points a year ago. Redshirt-sophomore Brooke Shinaberry, who represented the United States on a team that won the U-19 World Championship, is expected to return as the Commodores’ goalkeeper. Fans saw flashes of brilliance from the Millersville, Md., native in 2004, when Shinaberry battled then-junior Ashley Bastinelli for playing time. Shinaberry sat out the 2005 season due to injury, but is primed to return behind a strong VU defense. |
