WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University women's lacrosse team is set to begin its 2023 season on Tuesday under the direction of head coach Amber McCarver heading into her second season.
 
The Colonels finished the 2022 season with a 1-7 record in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) and a 3-12 record overall.
 
When asked about excitement and preparation for the season, McCarver stated "We have been getting really amped. These past couple of practices have been amazing, the energy levels and focus have been there."
 
The Colonels roster consists of 22 players with four seniors, seven juniors, nine sophomores, and two freshmen.
 
Bianka Melendez (New Oxford, PA/New Oxford) and Abby Miller (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas) return for the Colonels as senior defenders, while Brooklyn Pedana (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) and Devon Donley (Dauphin, PA/Bishop McDevitt) play midfield and attack.
 
"We are really counting on our returning players to step up and show leadership qualities."
 
Melendez started two of nine games she appeared in for Wilkes last season, earning six ground balls and five caused turnovers. Miller started two of five games she played in and earned one goal, seven ground balls, and three caused turnovers. Pedana started all 15 games she played in for the Colonels, earning 10 goals, three assists, and 12 ground balls. Donley comes to the lacrosse team for her first season after playing for the field hockey team in the fall 2022 season.
 
Taylor Quackenbush (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills) and Carley Yuhas (Wyoming, PA/Wyoming Area) return as junior defenders for the Colonels with Yuhas also playing midfield. Caitlin McDonough (Exeter, PA/Wyoming Area) returns as a midfielder and Maleah Cobham (Westbury, NY/W.T. Clarke), Sydney Bernardi (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady), and Breanne Fulling (Hyde Park, NY/Franklin D. Roosevelt) are midfielders and also play attack. Rounding out the junior class is Emilee Magill (North Prairie, WI/Kettle Moraine Global), who joins the team as an attack.
 
Quackenbush returns after playing in one game for Wilkes last season earning two ground balls. Yuhas started 14 of the 15 games she appeared in last season and tallied 25 ground balls, 14 caused turnovers, and 16 draw controls, which is the most out of the returners. McDonough started four of the 10 games she appeared in last season, tallying two goals and 10 ground balls. Cobham played in 13 games last season with nine goals, one assist, and 10 ground balls. Bernardi comes back after appearing in 12 games earning a goal, and assist, and five ground balls. Last season, Fulling started 14 of the 15 games she played in notching nine goals, two assists, and 16 ground balls.
 
McCarver mentioned that the juniors of the team have really stepped into leadership positions and are able to command the offense.
 
Emma Swansburg (Shelburne, NS/Shelburne Regional) joins the team as a defender after completing her first season of ice hockey with the Colonels as a sophomore. Emily Hocker (Lebanon, PA/Cedar Crest) also comes to the team as a sophomore defender. Lexie Nevel (Nescopeck, PA/Berwick) joins the lacrosse team as a midfielder after playing two seasons of field hockey for Wilkes. Alexis Guttilla (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph by-the-Sea) returns as a midfielder. Sam Mullen (Dover, PA/York Catholic) and Lizzie Carter (Elizabethtown, PA/Elizabethtown Area) come back to the team as midfielders and attack. Amber DeJonge (Grands Rapids, MI/Forest Hills Eastern) also joins the team after competing on the ice hockey team. Samantha Scott (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Valley) returns for the Colonels as a goalkeeper, and Miriam Odell (Maryland, NY/Worcester Central School) joins the team in goal.
 
Mullen started eight of 13 games she appeared in for the Colonels, earning eight goals, three assists, and 11 caused turnovers last season. Carter appeared in 11 games for Wilkes last season scoring one goal and earning four ground balls and three caused turnovers. Scott played in three games last season, earning three saves.
 
The two first-year players for the Colonels are Mara Adams (Mehoopany, PA/Tunkhannock Area) and Emily Jackson (Wyoming, PA/Wyoming Area). Adams comes to Wilkes as a midfielder and Jackson comes in as a defender.
 
"Mara is going to be a force on the field. She is very coach-able, very gritty, and has a lot of tenacity. It's going to be very exciting to see what she does on the field this season."
 
The Wilkes women's lacrosse team opens up their season on February 21 when they host Marywood University at 5:00 p.m. for a non-conference game.
 
McCarver noted that the team is preparing for the Landmark Conference by facing Juniata College this season.
 
The Colonels will begin MAC Freedom play on March 29 when they travel to Glenside, Pa. to take on Arcadia University at 7:00 p.m.
 
"We want to leave the MAC by making an impact so we're excited to give one final showing before we say goodbye to the conference at the end of the season."