LaxPhilly Local Five - Postseason

By Tom Hoffman

The NCAA tournaments for lacrosse have begun and the Philadelphia area is well represented in all three divisions. Play started today for a pair of Division III schools, as the Widener Men's team travelled to Denison University while Eastern University's Women's squad made a trip to New York to visit Union College. While both teams fell today (Widener 19-6, Eastern 15-4), there are still plenty of local teams waiting to take their steps towards a possible NCAA title. Here are five games that should not be missed.

1. Haverford at Cabrini (May 10, NCAA Division III Men's)

The battle for Delaware County bragging rights, and the right to possibly face NCAA juggernaut Salisbury in the Quarterfinals. For the Fords (11-4), this is their tourney debut while the Cavaliers (16-2) make their seventh NCAA appearance. The two met in April with Cabrini taking home a 13-8 decision from Haverford. Cabrini is led by a pair of NCAA leaders in Juniors Scott Reimer (63 goals) and Kevin Chenoweth (5.66 GAA) while Haverford's top player is Sophomore Brian Fleishhacker (44 goals, 49 points).

2. West Chester vs. Limestone (May 15, NCAA Division II Women's)

The Golden Rams (18-1) will seek to avenge their lone regular season loss when they faceoff with the Lady Saints (17-1) in the Semifinals in Houston, Texas. The winner will face the victor of the other semifinal between Adelphi and C.W. Post. Limestone spoiled West Chester's season opener with a 9-8 win on March 9. The Golden Rams are seeking their fifth straight trip to the Division II title game and their first national title since 2002. West Chester boasts the #1 and 3 scorers in Division II (Stephanie Kienle with 134 points and Jackie Baker with 111 points) and the #2 goalie (Mary Green, 6.41 GAA). Limestone will counter with goalie Erin Cavanaugh (7.75 GAA, 5th NCAA).

3. Colgate at Penn (May 11, NCAA Division I Women's)

The Quakers (14-1), seeded second in the Women's Division I bracket, host Colgate (11-9). Penn rides into the postseason on a hot streak, including a victory over three time defending champion Northwestern while Colgate won the championship of the Patriot League. Penn's Sarah Waxman is the top goalie in Division I Women's lax while the Quakers as a team are tops overall defensively.

4. Temple at Maryland (May 11, NCAA Division I Women's)

The Atlantic 10 champion Owls (13-6) are making their first tourney appearance since 2004, but this will be their third straight NCAA game against the Terrapins (17-2), who defeated Temple in the 2003 and 2004 tournaments. Temple will need to stop Maryland top score and draw expert in Dana Dobbie (66 goals, 114 draw controls). Temple's Whitney Richards (fifth, 2.29 turnovers caused per game) and Berkley Summerlin (ninth, 1.94) will look to slow down the Maryland attack.

5. Montclair St. at Rowan (May 7, NCAA Division III Women's)

The two longtime New Jersey rivals meet in the first round of the D-III Women's tourney. Montclair defeated Rowan 13-9 on April 19.

Also appearing in the Division III Women's tournnament are the Lions of the College of New Jersey, who will face the winner of Claremont-Mudd Scripps and Ohio Wesleyan on May 10.

Our final feature for 2008 will rank the area's five top teams upon completion of postseason play.

LaxPhilly Local Five - Volume 4

By Tom Hoffman

With NCAA tournament time just around the corner, it's time to take a look at some of the Philly area's top women's players of 2008. The women had some big games this season, with maybe the biggest being Penn's revenge against the defending champs from Northwestern, and the five players listed here certainly made their marks on these games and will look to get their squads into the postseason and possibly being the ones hoisting the trophy for National Champions. So, without any more delay, here are the top five players in local women's college lax for 2008.

1. Sarah Waxman - Goalie (Penn, Senior, Washington, D.C.)

Waxman, with her NCAA leading 5.96 goals against average, has the 2008 Ivy League champs on the verge of a second straight trip to the NCAA Division I Final Four, as well as a #1 ranking after the Victory over Northwestern. With her solid play, an excellent group in front of her, and the knowledge that can they can not only hang with, but beat a team like Northwestern, Waxman and the Quakers could very possibly bring home the 2008 championship.

2. Stephanie Kienle - Attack (West Chester, Senior, West Chester, PA)

Kienle has been, along with Junior Jackie Baker, one of the leaders of the Golden Rams as they head back to the NCAA Division II playoffs after clinching their fifth straight PSAC Championship against rival Lock Haven. With 134 points in West Chester's 19 games this season, Kienle hopes to lead the Golden Rams to their fifth straight NCAA title appearance and the championship that has been eluding them.

3. Jessica Bill - Attack (Drexel, Senior, Baldwinsville, N.Y.)

Bill set career highs in goals (39) and points (46) in leading the Dragons to their fifth straight season of at least 10 wins. Bill was also named, along with teammate Katie Bradley, to the CAA's second team all-conference squad.

4. Chelsea Rosiek - Midfield (Temple, Sophomore, Blue Bell, PA)

On a senior laden team, Rosiek gives Temple a lot to look forward to in the next two years. After a frosh season with only eight points in 11 games, Rosiek bloomed this season finishing the regular season fourth on the Owls with 26 goals and 42 points. Her and junior Brittney Hoffmann will be counted on in 2009 to lead the Owls.

5. Alison Jaeger - Midfield (College of New Jersey, Freshman, Hampton, NJ)

Jaeger has had an impressive first year for the Lions, tallying 41 goals and 56 points. Jaeger will be looked upon, along with Seniors Toni-Anne Cavallo and Karen Doane, to lead TCNJ back to the National Championship after their quarterfinal loss in 2007.

Our next feature will take a look at the local schools (Men's and Women's teams) in the NCAA tournament, set to begin next weekend.