WILKES-BARRE-- The Wilkes University Colonels women's lacrosse team is set to take the field for their 2021 season, their third season under head coach Sarah Burkarth.  The Colonels finished 2-5 in the shortened 2020 season, and are looking forward to playing again in this unprecedented season.
 
"Our goal for the 2021 season is to remain resilient in the face of adversity. We aim to be as competitive as possible while still having fun and living in the moment," said Burkarth. "This past year has taught us to not take anything for granted, so we will be fully embracing what this season brings us, even if things do look a little different this year."
 
The Colonels return a pair of seniors in attacker Ashley Burkhardt (Havre de Grace, MD/Havre de Grace) and defender Delaney Lukowski (Seneca Falls, NY/Mynderse Academy).  Burkhardt has started in all 38 games she's played in the Navy and Gold, recording 68 goals in her career.  Lukowski returns for her fifth year, having recorded 59 ground balls in her first seasons with the Colonels.
 
Six juniors return from last year's roster, including three midfielders.  Domenica Lerch (Northampton, PA/Northampton) has had 42 goals, 20  assists, and 77 ground balls in her career, having started in all 22 games for the Colonels thus far.   Laura Bayzick (Hazleton, PA/Hazleton Area) has started in all 14 games she's played in for the Navy and Gold, with 12 goals and 19 caused turnovers to her name.  Allyson Joly (Lincoln, RI/Tilton) rounds out the group, having recorded 19  ground balls in her time with Wilkes.  The junior class includes a pair of defenders in Laurel Hopfer (Monroe Twp., PA/Tunkhannock) and Jessica White (Willow Grove, PA/Upper Moreland), and an attacker in Camryn Devitt (Northampton, PA/Northampton).  Hopfer started four games in her first season with the Colonels, with six recorded ground balls, while White has been a steady presence for the Colonels with 22 starts in her two seasons.  Devitt has also started in all 22 games for the Navy and Gold thus far, with 33 goals under her belt and 20 ground balls.
 
The junior class is also joined by a pair of transfers in midfielder Savannah Bauman (Effort, PA/Pleasant Valley) and goalkeeper Ashley Coughlin (Northampton, PA/Northampton), who look to step up for playing time in their first season with the Colonels.
 
"There are 11 returners on the roster so we are pretty evenly spread between new faces and experienced players. I am confident in the leadership we have in all positions; although we do have a smaller roster, this is the most depth we have had in years," said Burkarth.
 
The sophomore class is made up of a pair of midfielders in Brooklyn Pedana (Yatesville, PA/Pittston Area) and Keara Dugey (Broadheadsville, PA/Pleasant Valley), and a pair of defenders in Abby Miller (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas) and Bianka Melendez (New Oxford, PA/New Oxford).  Melendez comes back to the Colonels after starting 15 games in 2019, with 21 ground balls and three caused turnovers in her freshman year.  Miller played in four games in her freshman season, with four ground balls and caused turnovers in 2020.   Pedana and Dugey each started all seven games last season for the Navy and Gold, with Dugey recording nine ground balls and four caused turnovers, while Pedana had three goals, 21 ground balls, and 12 caused turnovers.
 
"We brought in six freshmen and two  transfers this year. Unfortunately two of those saw season ending injuries but we have high expectations for all of the new additions," said Burkarth when asked of the additions to the squad.  "So far, they have been meshing well on the field and we're excited to see the connections they make during games with our returners."
 
The Colonels bring in six first year players for the 2021 edition of the squad.  Sydney Bernardi (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady), Maleah Cobham (Westbury, NY/W.T. Clarke), and Caitie McDonough (Exeter, PA/Wyoming Area) make up the attackers in the class, while Breanne Fulling (Hyde Park, NY/Franklin D. Roosevelt) is the lone midfielder.  A pair of defenders round out the class in Ryley Kirk (Belmar, NJ/Biotechnology) and Taylor Quackenbush (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills).
 
When asked about the schedule, Burkarth said; "The MAC Freedom is a tough conference to be in. Our first two games this season we are playing nationally ranked teams.  This schedule will test our team's mental toughness, and how we respond to adversity."
 
The Colonels open their 2021 slate with a home game at the Ralston Athletic Complex against No. 9 York (Pa.) this Saturday at 1:00 p.m.  They travel to their first Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC) matchup at DeSales.  The conference slate starts on March 17th at 4:30 p.m.