MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – The SUNY Morrisville women's lacrosse team is anxious to get the season started, opening with a road outing at Hartwick College Wednesday.
 
The Mustangs, who saw the start to the season delayed due to weather over the weekend will utilize a strong non-conference lineup in preparation for the United East slate that will begin in April.
 
"Our non-conference games are just as important as our league games in helping us gain experience and grow as the season goes on," head coach Andrea Cofrin said.
 
"We have some challenging opponents on our schedule and every game will help us elevate and grow our lacrosse IQ for the next opponent."
 
Morrisville will play to it's strength of 13 returning to the roster in 2023, including last year's leading scorer Maddie Baum (Fulton, N.Y.).
 
Baum collected 56 points behind 32 goals and 24 assists for the Mustangs, and will play alongside Aria Treadway (Rome, N.Y.) who also returns to the lineup after compiling 37 points with a strong 31 scores last season.
 
"Maddie has been a dynamic player for the last two seasons," Cofrin said. "She has spent a lot of time in the off-season honing in on her skills and becoming a versatile player all over the field. We are looking for her to be a double threat this season on the offensive end."
 
"Aria has elevated her game this spring and challenges every defender she faces," Cofrin said. "She practices hard and is always creating a game like atmosphere leaving everything she has on the field day in and day out."
 
"Aria is expected to be even more of a dynamic player this season than in years past."
 
Morrisville will also lean on junior Alana McDonald (Potsdam, N.Y.) who was fourth on the team in scoring last season after netting 19 points in her 13 games played. McDonald adds a spark to play in the midfield, collecting 32 draws a year ago and causing 10 turnovers.
 
"Alana will be a true transition player for us," Cofrin said. "Her hustle and speed will help her in finding the fast break options off the draw and in transition, and we anticipate she will continue to dominate the midfield and draw circle again this season."
 
Morrisville will also see some new faces to the lineup this year, including newcomer Rebecca Thomas (Whitesboro, N.Y.) between the pipes.
 
Thomas, according to Cofrin, has had a strong presence for the Mustangs in cage, has great positioning and reads the plays well.

She will be fronted by returner Rowan Coates (Williamsburg, Va.) and familiar, but new face, Cara Walker (Phelps, N.Y.) as defensive midfielders.
 
"This year we may have a small roster, however the hustle, energy and growth mindset this team rings to practice each night has been incredible," Cofrin said.
 
"I can truly say we have improved as individuals and as a team with every practice. We have elevated our strength training sessions, our drills have become more efficient and our team is making the most out of each rep to help us maximize our efforts on the field."
 
Morrisville will get the season underway tomorrow as they head to Oneonta to face Hartwick College in the 2023 opener. On Sunday, they will make their home debut against former league opponent Medaille College, before hosting Oswego in a rescheduled match on March 9^th.
 
The Mustangs will have three straight on the road over the course of spring break, beginning with a non-conference battle against SUNY Maritime on the 11^th, before heading to Montclair State University on March 14.
 
Morrisville's road outing at Potsdam on the 18^th will see them returning home for a three-game skid with Utica on March 22, followed by a Morgan's Message Game against Alfred University on the 29^th.
 
The Mustangs will meet Mount Aloysius College on April 1 to open United East Play before hitting the road west to Keuka College on the 5^th for a battle against the Wolves.
 
Morrisville will see league opponent Wells on April 8, followed by non-conference opponent Rochester on the 12^th, before meeting Lancaster Bible College on Drake Field in Morrisville on April 15.
 
Back-to-back road games at LaRoche on April 22 and Poly on the 25^th will send the Mustangs into their final home stance against St. Mary's College of Maryland on the 28^th for the final regular season bout.
 
"This season we are really focusing on one game at a time," Cofrin said. "As much as we would love to think about conference play, 'today's practice is the most important day of the season'."
 
"I know the returners were disappointed with where we ended last season and are working hard to make those changes with every day we have together.
 
"These ladies have worked hard on and off the field this season and I am truly excited to get the season started," Cofrin said.
 
Full schedule and roster information can be found on the college's athletic website www.morrisvillemustangs.com.
 
SUNY Morrisville's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
 
The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2022 issue and was among the top 10 performers for social mobility, and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2022 Best Colleges rankings. For more information about SUNY Morrisville, visit www.morrisville.edu.