BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott women's lacrosse team begins its 2017 season tonight at home against Wheaton (Mass.) at 7:00 p.m. at Hempstead Stadium. Here's a preview of the upcoming season.
RETURNING CAST (ROSTER): The Gulls return the 2016 All-CCC Defensive Player of the Year, Chelsea Burke (Georgetown, Mass.), alongside fellow All-CCC First Teamer, Emily Whitney (Rye, N.H.). Whitney led the team in scoring with 38 goals, 23 assists, and 61 points last season. Erin McCarthy (Old Lyme, Conn.) compiled a career-best 36 points (30 goals, six assists) for second on the squad and landed on the All-Second Team. All-CCC Third Team selection Ali Campbell (Lakeville, Mass.) was third on the team in points (30) and second in assists (15) in her rookie season, while Maura Grady (Marblehead, Mass.) returns in goal for her final campaign. Endicott is coached by third-year head coach Morgan Maciewicz who led the Gulls to an 8-10 finish (6-2 CCC) in 2016 and a trip to the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championship.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR (SCHEDULE): Endicott's first home game of the 2017 season takes place on Wednesday, March 1 against Wheaton (Mass.) at 7:00 p.m. Live stats and live video will be available for every home game, and can be found on the team's schedule page. The Gulls will also play host to No. 15 nationally-ranked Colby (3/7,7 PM), before heading down to Clermont, Fla. for two games during Spring Break.
The Gulls' non-conference schedule includes Wheaton (Mass.), Wellesley, No. 15 Colby, Babson, Keene St., Springfield, and Bowdoin to prepare Endicott to open conference play against Roger Williams in a rematch of the 2016 CCC Championship.
Six of the Gulls' seven non-conference opponents this season competed in their respective conference postseason tournament a year ago. Endicott will battle two teams that reached the NCAA Tournament last season, including Springfield College, who is currently receiving votes in the 2017 IWLCA Preseason National Rankings after reaching the Third Round of the NCAA DIII Championship last year.
Endicott begins conference play against Roger Williams (3/25, 12 PM), and will host Nichols (4/5, 7 PM), Salve Regina (4/11, 4 PM), Emerson (4/15, 12 PM), and Curry (4/19, 4 PM) at home this year.
PRESEASON PLAUDITS (CCC POLL): The Endicott women's lacrosse team has been picked to finish second overall in the 2017 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) preseason coaches' poll, as voted upon by the league's nine head coaches. For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
