PUEBLO, Colo. (March 6, 2015)- The Colorado State University-Pueblo women's lacrosse team makes their long awaited season and program debut Friday on the road in Lebanon, Ill., facing off against McKendree University at 4 p.m. (MST). After their meeting with McKendree , the ThunderWolves will finish out the two-game road trip against Lindenwood University Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
Like the program, all but one of the girls will be begin their first season in collegiate lacrosse. The roster consists of 18 players, 17 are freshmen and then sophomore Maria Garcia (A, Martinez, Calif.) who is the only one with college lacrosse experience. As a freshman at Urbana University in Ohio, Garcia started and played in 11 games. She notched two goals and two assists on 14 shots and finished among the team leaders in both caused turnovers (8) and ground balls (17).
The coaching staff will be anchored by first-year head Monica Potter and assistant coach Alexandra Giovannone. Potter previous heading coaching spots include, Fontbonne University from 2008-09 and Adrian College in Michigan, helping launch their program.
"I am extremely excited about this opportunity," Potter said. "The sport is growing quickly, especially in Colorado, and there are such great possibilities to do something great in Pueblo."
Assistant coach Giovannone has a strong resume as a player at NCAA Division II Limestone College. She assisted her teammates to four consecutive Conference Carolina Regular Season titles and four Conference Carolina Tournament championships.
As a defenseman for the Saints, she helped lead her team to an appearance in the national quarterfinals in 2010 and 2012. In 2011 and 2013, Limestone finished as the national runner-up. At the completion of her senior year Giovannone garnered all-conference all-academic honors and was awarded the Saints Sportsmanship Award.
CSU-Pueblo will compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and its schedule consists of 16 regular season games. Seven will be played at home with the first one coming Wednesday, March 11 versus Wittenberg part of a five game home-stand that will stretch to March 20.
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
