ANNVILLE, Pa. - After successfully re-establishing the program in 2010 - and winning six games in the process - the Lebanon Valley College women's lacrosse team is back for year two with plenty of returning talent and a group of freshmen that can contribute right away.

Second-year Head Coach Brianne Tierney will bring in seven freshmen and a transfer for the 2011 season, hoping to build on their successful rookie campaign. The season starts March 2 at home against Alvernia, weather pending. LVC has been picked ninth out of 13 teams in the Middle Atlantic Conference's preseason coaches' poll.

For Tierney, the ability to focus more on perfecting their game rather than starting with basics has made an immediate difference in 2011. Last year, she was bringing together a group of women with diverse lacrosse backgrounds - some were right out of high school programs, but others hadn't played in years or were coming fresh from other sports.

"I don't think there's ever a point when you stop working on fundamentals, but we've been able to move forward and move on from teaching the game and getting into lacrosse IQ things," Tierney said. "We don't have to go as much - at this point last year we were going six days a week. You see the difference. Energywise, it's not such a grind at this point."

One of the biggest additions to the program is assistant coach Paige Dougherty, who arrives at LVC after a successful tenure coaching prep lacrosse in southern California. The former Colgate teammates will now pair up on the bench, with Dougherty guiding the defense and Tierney on the attack.

"Paige is high energy and really outgoing, and I'm a little more reserved," Tierney said. "She's doing a great job taking care of our defense and trying to get them to be more energetic and louder."

Preseason Poll

1. Elizabethtown - 141 pts. (9)
2. Messiah - 134 pts. (4)
3. FDU-Florham - 123 pts.
4. Eastern - 107 pts.
5. Widener - 97 pts.
6. Alvernia - 88 pts.
7. Lycoming - 75 pts.
8. Manhattanville - 70 pts.
9. Lebanon Valley - 54 pts.
10. Misericordia - 50 pts.
11. Arcadia - 32 pts.
12. Wilkes - 26 pts.
13. King's - 17 pts.

Preview - Attack

The LVC attack will be anchored by captain Allison McGinniss, who returns after scoring 24 goals and seven assists last year. The hard-working attacker was second on the team in scoring in 2010, and also took care of 16 ground balls. Three newcomers - Lindsey Buckman, Christy Wilson, and Kaitlin Montgomery - will join her up front.

Buckman, a local product out of Palmyra High School, is a terrific feeder who can open the field up, while Wilson is a converted defender who can score with either hand. Montgomery is a sophomore transfer from D-II Post University, where she scored six goals as a freshman.

Preview - Midfield

The midfield will revolve around Hana Krechel, a second-team all-MAC pick in 2010 as a freshman. Krechel was third in the MAC with 67 goals (and 10th in the nation in goals per game), and also led the team in ground balls (45), draw controls (71), and caused turnovers. Tierney believes opponents will be forced to key in on her, opening things up for a talented offensive corps to score.

That includes midfield returners Kristin Clift and Suzanne Sullivan, as well as newcomers Taylor Kruter and Mel Modrick. Clift, the team's lone junior, will be looked to for experienced leadership in midfield, while Sullivan - who scored 11 times with 30 ground balls in 15 starts last year - could be a "spark" in midfield with her disruptive defense.

Kruter is another converted defender who scored often in fall ball, and she can also be a solid draw-taker in the circle. Modrick is an athletic newcomer to lacrosse with a basketball background.

Preview - Defense

A trio of returning starters will anchor the defense with Jackie Hoover, Chloe Gunther, and Kristen Rooney returning as sophomores. Hoover started all 15 games last year and racked up 33 ground balls (second-best on the team) with 14 caused turnovers, while Gunther also started all 15 games and came up with 25 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers. Rooney started 12 games with 14 ground balls and nine caused turnovers.

Joining them are sophomore Gretchen Hafner, a two-sport athlete from the field hockey team, and freshman Sara Vanderbogart, who comes from a premier high school program at Mountain Lakes (N.J.).

Preview - Goalkeepers

After carrying just one goalkeeper last year - returning starter Erica Ameigh - Tierney will have three to choose from in 2011, and she expects there to be a position battle. Ameigh, a sophomore with quick hands who thrives on the pressure of goalkeeping, made 146 saves with a 6-9 record last year, but she will be pushed by freshmen Rachel Denny and Corinne Palombo. Tierney describes Denny as the hardest worker on the team and a true student of the game, while Palombo is an aggressive, athletic 'keeper who is comfortable playing out of the circle.