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Wentworth Women's Lacrosse Team Set to Grow in 2011-12
Having just completed its inaugural season the Wentworth
women’s lacrosse team looks forward to the spring of 2012 as
it prepares to join the catalog of existing athletic varsity
programs at Wentworth. Established in fall of 2010 the team will
continue to compete at the club level for the upcoming season
(2011-12), with hopes of becoming Wentworth’s 16th
varsity sport in time for the 2012-13 season.
The coaching staff is excited about the transition and during the
upcoming year the program will look to recruit and compete against
teams from various New England conferences to help prepare them for
the transition into varsity competition.
“Dedication is the key to making this program
successful,” said Wentworth Head Coach Jess
Blair, who was the head coach at Pine Manor before
arriving at Wentworth. “It all comes down to how committed
and devoted each player wants to be. It can’t just be one
person; it has to be the whole team – that is what we have
been trying to teach them.”
Since assuming the head coaching position last fall head coach
Blair, a former captain at Commonwealth Coast Conference power
Endicott, has been working to prepare the team to face various
competitive situations. Despite a low number of experienced female
lacrosse players at Wentworth, Blair has assembled a dynamic and
athletic group of student-athletes who are enthusiastic about
starting a new era and making history.
“Every day we learn as a whole about what it’s going
to take to make this program prosperous. Patience really is a
virtue for us.” said Blair.
The Leopards continue to build their knowledge and experience as
the program begins to recruit. Juniors Lisa
Piccirillo and Lee Sexton and seniors
Sam Partington and Eliane Brogle
make up the strong midfield unit, while freshman Jessica
Houghton will jump into the role as center. Decia
Splaine, a sophomore, delivered great defensive awareness
during the spring 2011 season and will become a vital component of
the defense. Junior Ali Daluz, alongside Splaine,
will help guide newcomer Alex Banks in the defense
end. Moving from the position of center, junior Courtney
Whitaker will work alongside classmates Meg
Ferro, Liv Gardner, and El
Maas on attack. Who will start between the pipes
hasn’t been decided yet, but the Leopards are confident they
will have no problem filling the position.
“Each member has a unique role on the team and brings forth
something valuable towards are future success,” added Blair.
“I have some players that are very skillful and tactful as
well as some who see the field really well and make great cuts.
Some team members are motivators, while others are leaders.
I’m really excited about our freshmen – many of whom
will be playing dual sports at Wentworth. I feel that it is
beneficial to have multi-sport athletes on a team as they can bring
a different approach to the game.”
With a year of experience under their belt the Wentworth
women’s lacrosse team has much to look forward to in the
years to come. The team’s bold spirit and strong desire to
make history are key aspects to making this team stand out amongst
their competitors.
“Vince Lombardi once said, ‘The achievements of an
organization are the results of the combined effort of each
individual,’” said Blair. “Without one another we
wouldn’t be here doing what we’re doing. We rise
together, we fall together. This is what Wentworth women’s
lacrosse is about.”
Upon making the transition to varsity status, the Leopards will
become the Commonwealth Coast Conference’s ninth
women’s lacrosse program and will compete against the
University of New England, Nichols, Salve Regina, Endicott, Gordon,
Roger Williams, Curry, and Western New England.
