Jody Patterson is tickled to be defending a state title.
She just wishes there was more a little more ammunition for the fight.
In 2010, a large, inspiring Nerinx Hall senior class set the standard by claiming the school's first state championship and a 18-4 record. Before winning the championship last season, the Markers were the runner-ups in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
"I hate the term rebuilding," Patterson said. "But we're definitely a young team."
So young in fact that Patterson has scaled things back to the basics, the core of the game in the first weeks of practice.
One player who knows the game extremely well is senior Emily Behr.
Behr is the returning state player of the year and brings four years of experience. She scored 61 goals and passed out 34 assists last season.
"Emily can really help pick up the slack," Patterson said. "Her energy alone motivates and helps the juniors and sophomores."
Behr, a middie who has committed to play at NCAA Division II Regis, and attacker Troy Cragen will be critical to the Markers' success. Emily Welin is an athletic senior that will bolster the middle.
The Markers will be particularly green on defense where everyone will be relatively new.
In goal will be two seniors, Liz Puzniak and Erin Kelleher.
At least for now, Nerinx doesn't have the type of depth Patterson would like.
"It's a new season, new players, a new era," Patterson said. "Last year's seniors started that climb to the top. It is up to the seniors and juniors to maintain that same passion and intensity."
Bears strong again
Ursuline put together an impressive campaign in 2010, going 13-4.
The Bears went on a 10-1 tear to start the year and ended up in the state title game where they lost to Nerinx Hall 11-8.
Coach Judith Anderson has plenty of options as the new season unfolds.
Senior midfielder Ally Sykora and senior defender Christina Zor are back after impressive junior campaigns. Sykora netted 20 goals as a junior. Senior Nicole Dempsey is changing her role to help shore up the defense. Sykora, Zor, and Dempsey are all team captain.
Juniors Anna Maggiorotto and Gina Fisher started playing varsity at the end of last year and promise to be strong contenders in the midfield.
"This year's team is not afraid to take it to the goal and finish strong," Anderson said. "We have been known for our settled offense but I think our fast and slow breaks will be noteworthy this year."
Back for more
By all accounts, John Burroughs (16-3) standout Emily Valli has recovered from her ACL injury that sidelined her for all of the 2010 season. Valli was the state player of the year in 2009 and has committed to Ohio State. Even in Valli's absence the Bombers finished third in the state last season.
MICDS always in the mix
The Rams went 14-6-1 last season and finished fourth in the state in 2010.
Meghan DiGulio begins her seventh season coaching the Rams. She led the program to state titles her first four seasons and lost in the semifinals each of the past two years.
MICDS returns six starters and 12 players from last season's team, including the senior trio of middies Allison Weisenfels, Hannah Thiemann and Katherine Stone, in midfield. Weisenfels and Thiemann are team captains this season. Weisenfels scored 29 goals last season.
On the attack, junior Molly Scott is a creative force and junior Frances Burkham will help shore up the defense.
As lacrosse contiues to grow the gap between the have's and have-not's and closed considerably. DiGulio thinks that parity will reign this spring.
"The sport has boomed," she said. "Kids are going to more camps and doing more travelling. Every year in this league you see something new."
