SPOKANE, Wash. – The Whitworth University lacrosse team looks to take the next step forward in 2023. The Pirates open the season this weekend as hosts of the Whit Lax Classic with matches against Southwestern University (Texas) and Multnomah University (Ore.). Whitman is the fourth team in the tournament.
Whitworth finished 5-11 overall and 3-9 in the Northwest Conference in 2022, the most wins overall and within conference play for one season yet in the existence of the young program. With many returning players, and an influx of new talent, hopes are high that the Bucs will improve on those numbers in 2023.
"We are excited to have additions to almost every position on the field this season," said fifth-year head coach Noelle Brouillard. "Every season is a new opportunity to build on what we have done the prior year, but also to take another step further in our growth as a team. I am excited to see what this group produces on the field as all our first year players came in with extensive lacrosse playing experience in high school."
The Pirates return 12 letter-winners from 2022 and add seven first-years for a roster of 19, the largest in school history.
"It's exciting to have a larger roster and be able to provide more practice opportunities that are more game-like for our team," Brouillard said. "We have more strengths we can utilize across the board with a bigger roster. Every player brings value to this team and it will be fun to see each of these strengths come out in different games for us this season."
Whitworth returns three of its top four offensive producers from last season. Kylee Walker, a senior, led the team in overall points (39) and assists (19). She totaled 20 goals and finished second on the team in draw controls (37). Anna Chase (So.) finished second on the team as a first-year with 24 goals. Midfielder Kenzie Hemman, also only a sophomore, tallied 23 goals last spring. She also led the Pirates in caused turnovers (25) and was third in draw controls (35).
Liliann Penfield is a four-year starter up top for Whitworth.
Emma Cathers (Jr.), Maddie Jennings (Jr.) and Sidney Nichols (Jr.) are the top returning defensive players for the Pirates. Cathers led Whitworth's defenders in ground balls (28) and caused turnovers (17) last season. The trio has combined for 67 starts over the last two seasons.
Sage Fosnock and Hannah Lew return in goal for the Bucs. The pair split time in the net in 2022 and Brouillard expects much of the same this season.
Brouillard believes that each of the seven first-year players could contribute this spring. Caitlin Smith (A), Sierra Witte (M) and Amelie Deese (D) are three names that could appear in the lineup immediately.
Following this weekend's tournament, the Pirates will host Pacific (Ore.) and Linfield on February 25-26 in the first NWC matches of the season. A scheduling fluke means Whitworth will play nine straight matches at home to open the season and eight straight away from home to close the season.
Brouillard believes her team is ready for the next step, in terms of on-field wins. But she also sees bigger goals.
"I want to see us remain together, no matter the outcome, and enjoy the wins and learn from our mistakes," she said. "We want to continue our upward trajectory of growth for this program and keep moving forward-game by game. Our junior and senior classes have worked through lots of adversity and I'm excited for them to truly shine this season."
