No Shell Shock Here
by Clare Lochary | Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff
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| Junior Katie Gallagher anchors the defense for the No. 8-ranked Maryland women's lacrosse team. |
Freshman Karri Ellen Johnson had a huge collegiate debut for the No. 8-ranked Maryland women's lacrosse team Sunday at Richmond. Can Katie Gallagher call ‘em or what?
Before the blowout, LMO got Gallagher, the Terps' top returning defender, and All-American Caitlyn McFadden on the horn to talk about Maryland's prospects this year.
Of Johnson, a 2007 U.S. U-19 team member who had five goals in her first game, the junior Gallagher said: "She reminds me of Dana Dobbie."
Heady stuff. More from Gallagher and McFadden:
Maryland graduated a monster class last year. What is it like to take the field without Dana Dobbie and Kelly Kasper et al?
CM: Every year is different. It's a whole new team. We've gelled together really well. We have really great team chemistry.
Given the changes in personnel, do you think this year's team will not be in that classic UM run-and-gun attack mode? Will you play a more controlled game?
CM: Every year is a little bit different from the year before. We still have the ability to run and gun. We're always pretty fast, but everyone is working really hard on being the fittest we've ever been. We're fast everywhere on the field. Laura Merrifield came back in amazing shape. But we have the skills. If we need to settle it down, we can.
Since there are so many open spots, who on your team is poised for a breakout season?
CM: Laura Merrifield and Sarah Mollison have just come right onto the field in the fall. They have been using their speed really well. Laura's been really getting her stick skills down and that's going to help her so much. Brandi Jones is great, too, and so are [freshma n] Karri Ellen Johnson and Kristy Black.
KG: Karri Ellen Johnson. I've never seen anybody play like her, coming in as a freshman. She reminds me of Dana Dobbie.
[To McFadden] What are your personal goals for this season?
CM: Just being able to improve on my one-on-one and dodging more. Being able to dish it off and really see the field and having more confidence on attack.
[To Gallagher] You had a breakout season last year, going from just getting a few minutes to becoming a regular starter. Will there be similar leaps and bounds forward this year?
KG: I still have to work on my defense. I played basketball in high school, so I always thought lacrosse defense would come naturally. But lacrosse is so different. I still have so much to work on defensively. It's weird because we'll go over to our gym and play basketball as a cross-training exercise, and lacrosse makes basketball defense 10 times easier to play. I feel like an all-star when I play basketball now. I'm also working on my feed.
What does Maryland's defense need to do this year?
KG: Transition-wise, we're a really strong defense. And I think our physical strength is going to help us a lot. Karissa [Taylor] does that really well. Out of the transition, we were scoring a lot in fall ball. We can contribute offensively.
A defense that likes to score - sounds like the Baltimore Ravens.
KG: Hey, you're talking to an Eagles fan here. I don't know about that.
What game are you most looking forward to playing?
KG: Every single one. [Laughing.] I know it's a cliché, but every single one.
