Women’s lacrosse season preview

Last year, the Virginia Wesleyan Women’s Lacrosse team finished with a record of 8 and 9. They made it to the ODAC playoffs but lost in the first round. After having a decent 2019 season, the women’s lacrosse team is ranked 6th on the ODAC preseason poll. 

The Marlins look to destroy the competition this year. Although they are starting the year off rough, losing their first three games of the season to Southern Virginia University, Marymount University, and Goucher College, the Marlins look to bounce back against rival team Christopher Newport University on Feb.26. 

First year coach at Virginia Wesleyan coach Nicole DeSalvia looks to make a good impression. Although it is her first year at Virginia Wesleyan, she has experience in the coaching department. She worked with William Peace University and she was an assistant coach at Methodist University. 

“Last year the team was able to make it to the ODAC playoffs and that’s our goal again this year. So once we get into our conference play we have already worked out all the kinks. Our first conference game is against Ferrum so we have to make it count,”

DeSalvia said several players will have a great year. Our seniors really showed up, we’ve got Tori Manahan, Avery Frangelli and Cali Magee. 

Each of them play different positions, one on defense, one on midfield and one on attack. They do a really good job leading us on and off the field. Our goalie, Jordan Moilanen, is having a great year so far and Mikayla Callahan is one of our players that is everywhere on the field. Another player is one of our freshman, Camryn Gavula, who has been involved everywhere. 

“I think we need to be accountable on the outside of what we do in practice. I think with us being younger, we haven’t had the right discipline. For example, when the freshmen gets a summer workout packet, you have to actually do the summer workout packet. 

DeSalvia identified several things the team is doing to prepare for the season.

Jordan Wilson
jmwilson@vwu.edu