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Happy returns on offense
There are question marks for Richmond as the Spiders enter the season following a second-place finish in the Atlantic 10 standings in 2022. The offense isn’t one of them. In fact, the only question is about who will start.
The Spiders’ offense is its most experienced unit, with each of the top five scorers back for 2023. Frank, who also plays field hockey, boasts a quick first-step and smooth hands that make her a top weapon, and Tierney is a dual threat on attack and in the circle.
Colleen Quinn (33 G, 24 A) returns with confidence after a solid freshman campaign. Ditto for classmate Grace Muldoon (17 G, 16 A). Harrington says Sophia DiCenso (32 G, 7 A) provides a spark in transition, and Riehl’s experience playing for a Power 5 team at Boston College will make the Spiders offense a force in 2023.
Can the defense take shape?
Harrington didn’t pull any punches.
“From the outside looking in, our defense is the real question mark,” she said.
The Spiders bid farewell to starting defenders in Caroline Atkinson (18 GB) and Brittney Wright, who was second on the team with 13 caused turnovers. There’s also a goalie battle brewing as Delaney Galvin (9.90 GAA, .508 SV%) turned her tassel.
But Harrington thinks the Spiders have the personnel. O’Brien (11 CT, 11 GB, 18 DC) leads vocally and by example, fighting for loose balls whether it’s during a practice or an A-10 game. Jax Donohue (8 CT, 20 GB), who played in all 18 games and started 13, also figures to be a factor. Grace Jamin played in 13 games and made five starts last season, but she climbed the depth chart this fall.
As for the next goalie, it’s still up in the air. Emile Bloyer, Daniela Stelcer and Nicole Burney all saw limited game action, with Stelcer clocking the most minutes (about 29 in three appearances). Harrington noticed consistency in her in the fall. Stelcer and Bloyer are both vocal in the cage, while Burney boasts strength and the ability to make high-quality saves.
Can the Spiders get over the hump?
The Spiders were off to a historic 7-0 start when the world shut down in 2020. They were a perfect 6-0 in the Atlantic 10 in 2021 but got upset by Saint Joseph’s in the conference semifinal game. As the second seed in 2022, Richmond faced Saint Joseph’s again but was met with the same result. The eventual champion Hawks edged Richmond 10-9, ending the Spiders’ bid for an NCAA tournament berth.
It’s left the senior class with a chip on their shoulders and an item circled in red on their bucket lists: Make it to the Dance.
“They consistently have felt like we have unfinished business and want to go out with a bang,” Harrington said. “Having great success in their freshmen year but losing to Saint Joe’s last year, they felt that heartbreak. They are working hard, knowing it’s not going to come easy.”
ENEMY LINES
WHAT RIVALS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE SPIDERS
“I think Richmond is always tough. They’re gritty. Three of their big players are back. I think they’ll give people some fits.”
“They’re always going to compete and find ways to make plays. Their best players, they’re as good as they come. They could start on any team anywhere. But I think they have a bit of a drop-off after them.”
83.0%
The Spiders return not one, but two players who finished the 2022 season in the top 100 for total EGA (expected goals added). Arden Tierney posted a 64.7 EGA mark for the year (53rd nationally), and Lindsey Frank finished with 55.8 (87th nationally). Of the primary rotation, Marina Miller will need to be replaced, but otherwise, 83 percent of the team’s total production (as measured by EGA) returns for the 2023 season.
Lacrosse Reference Glossary
