For the seniors on Virginia's women's lacrosse team, winning never gets old.
"For the past three years, we've gotten to the championship game," co-captain Meredith Lazarus said. "We want to win another one before we leave."
This year's women's lacrosse team will also feature many new faces. Six starters graduated from last year's team, including All-American attack Amy Appelt and three veteran defenders.
The cupboard, however, is far from bare. Virginia does not plan on rebuilding, but reloading.
"We have a lot of new people," senior attack Tyler Leachman said. "We had so much talent last year that there's still a lot on the bench."
While many may focus on the team's graduated seniors, Virginia has still retained many of its top players. Captains Nikki Lieb and Lazarus, as well as Tyler Leachman, were given All-American honors last year, with Lieb receiving the honor for the second year in a row. Leachman led the team in goals with 65, including an eight-goal outburst against Loyola.
The returning players will be joined by six new starters, all eager for the opportunity to prove themselves and compete for starting jobs. Some of these newcomers, though, are already expected to see significant action as starters in their first year, a rarity for the Virginia program.
"Three freshmen are going to start," Lazarus said. "In past years we haven't had any."
Joining the Cavalier attack will be freshman Blair Weymouth, whom Virginia coach Julie Myers expects to play an important role for the team up front.
"She's very fast and very athletic," Myers said. "She may be the most athletic kid we've ever had on any of our teams."
Other starting freshmen include attacker Ashley McCulloch and defender Jen Holden.
Despite the high turnover, the team's expectations have not changed -- it is a team that always expects to win.
"Our goals will always be the same, no matter who's on our roster," Myers said. "I don't think our expectations here will ever change from being a national contender."
To once again compete on the national level, the Cavaliers will need their defense to mesh quickly. Leachman believes the team's versatility, with many players being able to play multiple positions, will benefit Virginia in adjusting to the new starters.
"A lot of the people who played midfield last year are strong line defenders, and a lot of the people who played line defense are strong midfielders," Leachman said. "I just think we have a lot of people on our team who can do things all over the field."
Lieb believes it is crucial for all the players to play where they are needed and give Virginia the best chances to win, especially on defense.
"I think that [it is important that] everyone just be open minded and flexible about where they play," Lieb said. "We've had a lot of depth in the past. Everybody that's had the opportunity to play defense can contribute."
Myers believes the Cavaliers have the talent to replace the three departed defenders and grow into a solid group on the field.
"I think it's still a work in progress," she said, "but I'm confident we have great kids in place to get the job done."
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