University of Richmond Athletics
Women's Lacrosse Tabbed To Win Atlantic 10 Championship
01/18/2009 | Women's Lacrosse
Jan. 18, 2009
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
The women's lacrosse squad was chosen to win the 2009 Atlantic 10 Lacrosse Championship. Richmond returns reigning Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year, Alli Furstenburg and three-time All Conference selection, Mandy Friend.
"We have tremendous respect for our conference teams so it is an honor to be preseason picked first place, said head coach Sue Murphy. "Richmond's goals will be to repeat as Atlantic 10 Regular Season Champs but more importantly win the A10 Tourney in Philadelphia. We want to be back in the NCAA tournament."
Furstenburg, a native of Whitehouse Station, N.J., led the team with 54 goals last season. Furstenburg was second on the team in assists (28) and points (82).
Friend, a native of Canandaigua, N.Y., has built a decorated resume at Richmond. Last season she started every game for Spiders, while netting 53 goals and dishing 36 assists and earning a season-best 89 points. Friend was selected to the Team Canada roster earlier this fall. Friend was also selected to the IWLCA All-South Regional Second Team, and was named the Atlantic-10 Player of the Week twice. Friend has led the Atlantic 10 in scoring the past three seasons.
The Spiders look to return to tournament dominance, after capturing consecutive titles from 2005-07. Richmond fell to Massachusetts, 10-9 in overtime of the semifinal round of the tournament championship last year.
"Although we lost five starters, we are fortunate to bring back quite a potent attack anchored by Mandy Friend and Alli Furstenburg," said Murphy. "Our younger players have gained valuable experience last season and this fall. I have been very impressed with our overall growth as a team."
Richmond will host Atlantic 10 opponents St. Bonaventure, Duquesne and Saint Joseph's this season.
The Spiders open their 2009 season with a scrimmage versus the England National Team Feb. 9th at First Market Stadium. The game is set for 3:00 p.m.
