HOBOKEN, N.J. (March 1, 2016) - Coming off a 15-win season that culminated with the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Region Championship, the Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team is poised for a big season in 2016.

SEASON OUT LOOK
The Ducks return nine players who started at least 19 games last season, and have 80 percent of their scoring back. With a nice mix of returning and new players, the Ducks are setup for a deep run this postseason.

ATTACK
Junior Mariel Haubrich is back on the Ducks attack after scoring six goals with 14 assists a season ago. Haubrich was one of seven Ducks to start all 20 game last season, and has been a regular contributor since her freshman season.

Junior Laura Roberts tallied five goals in 20 games last season, and has made her coaches and teammates take notice with her level of improvement. Roberts is one of the hardest workers on the team, and will be a key component of the attack this year due in part to her high level of confidence.

Junior Caroline DeLuca rounds-out the trio of junior attackers on this season's squad after tallying 19 goals and 17 assists for the Ducks last year. DeLuca's able to finish from both the left and right, and is known as a crafty attacker and finisher.

Quarterbacking the attack will be sophomore Cami Santor. Known for her exceptional field vision, Santor was top-five on the team in scoring last season while dishing-out 18 assists. Senior Mackenzie Swartout brings a level of leadership to the Ducks and will contribute solid minutes on the attack.

New to the Ducks attack this year will be freshman Carley Golembeski, a Toms River native who will look to crack into head coach Celine Cunningham's rotation.

MIDFIELD
It's impossible to talk about the Stevens midfield without first mentioning senior Erika Wilcox. A second-year captain this season, Wilcox led the Ducks and the Empire 8 Conference with 73 goals and 96 points a season ago. Wilcox's season culminated in mid-May when she became the 13th player in program history to be named an IWLCA All-American.

Wilcox has worked herself into a multidimensional threat for the Ducks, and continues to make her teammates better. The up-state New York native enters 2016 in eighth place on the program's all-time scoring list.

Junior Kathleen Kalbian is back as the Ducks second-highest scoring returner after a 40 goal, 28 assist season last year. Kalbian will once again be the Ducks primary option on the draw, one year removed from setting the program's single season mark. The veteran is a two-time all-conference performer.

A pesky defender, junior Jess Leiby has improved noticeably from last season, and has played with poise so far this preseason. Sophomore Bridget Reed will give the Ducks options in transition while building on the experience gained as a freshman last year.

Junior Mary Beth Irwin brings a level of tenacity and athleticism to the Ducks midfield, while also playing a pivotal role in the circle on draw controls. Sophomore Julianna Ricci is coming off a successful freshman campaign that saw her finish fourth on the team with 34 goals, but one of her most vital contributions will be her superb ability on the defensive end.

Joining the Ducks midfield this season will be freshman Mackenzie Metzler, a feisty midfielder who's a great finisher that comes to Stevens from high school power West Morris Central.

DEFENSE
Stevens will bring a wealth of experience to the defense this season, led by senior Amanda Kowalski. The Sparta native has made numerous starts over the course of her first three seasons, and has been playing with a high level of confidence so far this year.

Junior Betsy Crossland will join Wilcox as a captain this spring after scooping-up 17 ground balls in 19 starts last season. Crossland is a vocal leader, and will be called upon to run the Stevens defense.

Junior Madison Annitto also brings extensive experience into the season off a sophomore campaign where she made 19 starts, while setting career-highs in ground balls and caused turnovers. Senior Melissa Conklin also saw her fair share of action last season, and plays a key role in the Ducks chemistry.

Sophomore Victoria Alvarez adds to the Ducks defensive depth after starting all 20 games last spring, and will be called upon this year to shut-down the opponent's top scorer. Sophomore Zoe Spiegelhoff is a solid and smart defender who made 10 appearances as a freshman, while sophomore Darby DeStefano also brings a good stick and is a feisty one-on-one defender.

The unit will be joined by a pair of freshman in Aileen Quinn and Regan Littell. A two-sport athlete, Littell will make an impact for the Ducks this season, while Quinn had adjusted nicely to the college game.

GOALIES
After earning the full-time starting nod towards the end of last season, sophomore Stephanie Schnelzer will be the No. 1 goalie for the Ducks heading into 2016. Known for her quickness and athleticism, Schnelzer won seven games last season with 76 saves in 12 starts.

Freshman Alex Samper will be the primary backup, and has coach Cunningham's full confidence should she need to step into the starting role. Senior Angela Bauroth, a two-sport athlete who provides leadership for the young crop of goalies, and freshman Emma Soanes round-out Cunningham's goalie depth chart.

THE SCHEDULE
The Ducks will face four opponents this season who are currently ranked in the IWLCA national rankings in No. 2 and defending national runner-up Trinity College, No. 15 Fredonia, No. 5 The College of New Jersey, and No. 16 St. John Fisher College.

Fairleigh Dickson University - Florham (March 2) will travel to Hoboken in the season opener after making the NCAA Tournament a season ago, while Rowan University (March 5) made the NJAC finals last season and also poses a tough game on Stevens' schedule.

The Ducks eight non-conference opponents combined for 116 wins last season.

HOW TO FOLLOW
Stevensducks.com will be your home for all things Stevens lacrosse throughout the season, but you can also follow the team directly on Twitter @stevenswlax, on Facebook at Stevens Women's Lacrosse, on Instagram @stevens_wlax, and on YouTube at Stevens Women's Lacrosse.

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