Lacrosse Magazine has put the finishing touches on its 2010 college preview issue, which mailed US Lacrosse members the first week of February. LM canvassed rival coaches to give us their anonymous take on the top 10 preseason ranked teams for Division I men's and women's lacrosse.
MD1: 10 UND | 9
Hofstra | 8 UMD |
7
Princeton | 6 Cornell
| 5
Hopkins | 4
UNC | 3 UVA |
2
SU | 1
Duke
WD1: 10 Princeton | 9 UND | 8 UVA | 7 SU | 6 Georgetown | 5 Duke | 4 Penn | 3 UNC | 2 UMD | 1 Northwestern
Scouting Report: No. 5 Duke (Women)
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After coming on strong late in '09, Duke midfielder/defender Danielle Kachulis will draw the toughest one-on-one assignments in 2010. © Duke University |
HEAD COACH: Kerstin Kimel
CONFERENCE: ACC
2009 RECORDS: 15-6, 3-2
2010 SCHEDULE: Click Here
WHO'S BACK
M/A Lindsay Gilbride (Sr.)
Team's top returning scorer (59g, 17a) will be a
fourth-year starter and expected to assume lead role in offense and
transition game. Gilbride led the Blue Devils in free-position
goals, converting on 13 of 26 opportunities a year ago.
M Sarah Bullard (Jr.)
Is there a more accomplished junior in the nation?
Bullard, who has started since her freshman year, was the youngest
player on last summer's gold medal-winning U.S. World Cup team.
Prototypical two-way middie scored 39 goals and led all field
players with 31 ground balls,
M/D Danielle Kachulis (Sr.)
Colorado native developed into Duke's top match-up
defender in 2009 and will be looked upon to fill the same role this
year.
M/A Emma Hamm (Jr.)
Tireless athlete led the Blue Devils with 55 draw
controls and 22 caused turnovers. If there's a scrum, you can bet
on Hamm emerging with the ball and igniting something fierce. She
also contributed 16 goals and 19 assists.
D Sara Giedgowd (Sr.)
Most experienced defender of the unit must help usher in a new,
inexperienced goalie.
WHO'S NOT
A Caroline Cryer
You don't easily replace a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist and a player
as decorated as Cryer, who led the team with 83 points (45g, 38a)
in '09.
M Carolyn Davis
Tied with Gilbride for team lead in goals (59), Davis showed
tremendous resolved throughout her career battling knee injuries
and still performing at a very high level.
G Kim Imbesi
Goalie who started much of the last three seasons is gone. Though
she had an up-and-down career, it remains to be seen if either of
Duke's two younger goalies can answer the call.
WHO'S NEW
G Kaitlin Gaiss
New Zealand-born, New England-bred keeper possesses
skill, confidence and poise in the cage. All-American will
challenge sophomore Mollie Mackler for starting role.
A Alyssa Ogle
Most accomplished member of the Blue Devils' freshman class and
Moorestown product was considered the top player coming out of New
Jersey. Duke is stacked up front, but if anyone has the skill set
to force her way into action, it's Ogle.
X FACTOR
Virginia Crotty (junior), Amanda
Jones (sophomore) and Kat Thomas
(sophomore) are poised for breakout years and could be the key cogs
bringing Duke back to the final four.
RIVAL COACHES' TAKES
"They’re pretty similar to Northwestern, losing a lot of talent but they have good recruiting in their classes."
"They have to come together as a group, and every day is going to be important."
"They have some great players — Sarah Bullard is a real
leader and the key for them. Emma Hamm is good too. And Danielle
Kachulis on defense, she played unbelievable at the end of the
year. They’ll be a team to contend with."
"They’re well coached, and they’re smart.
They’re very disciplined on offense."
"Very patient and disciplined. Everyone on the team knows and
maximizes their role."
