New Head Coach Headlines 2018 Women’s Lacrosse
The 2018 campaign for Chestnut Hill College Women’s Lacrosse comes with a change at the top of the program.
Former Kutztown University Head Coach Kate Scattergood accepted the coaching job this past fall and is ready to take the Griffins back to the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
Since the end of the 2015 season, there has been three different head coaches. Despite the constant changes and quick turnaround after being hired, Scattergood feels comfortable at her new home.
“With a great coaching staff and a group of girls that are open to change, I’ve had a pretty easy transition period,” she said. “Being familiar with the players from competing against Chestnut Hill in years past has helped as well.”
Two players on the roster are able to attest to the immediate success of their newly acquired coach.
“I’ve seen both self-improvement and progress as a whole since she’s gotten here,” said sophomore midfielder Spencer Fitzgerald. “Coach Scattergood really focuses on the fundamentals and details so there’s a new task to accomplish at every practice.”
Senior captain Erica McLaughlin praised Scattergood’s trust.
“She allows my fellow captains and I to take leadership,” McLaughlin said. “We’re expected to have communication with her and the rest of the team both on and off the field.
Scattergood looks to change the program’s style of play.
“I want to play aggressive and hard defense to take goals away from the opposition,” Scattergood said. “Our offense is going to have an uptempo, run and gun approach to open up the game.”
With an adaptation to the NCAA Division II rulebook and the installation of a 90-second shot clock, the team will need to make some adjustments..
With the loss of 100-goal scorers Jacklyn O’Leary (35 in 2017) and Lea Sanders (27 in 2017), the offense is put on the shoulders of four players: senior captain Julia Galantich, senior midfielder Hunter Leckonby, junior midfielder Julia Reinert and Fitzgerald. Galantich finished with 30 assists last season and her passing prowess can provide opportunities for the latter three. Leckonby and Fitzgerald both finished with 27 goals a piece, but Reinert was the leading scorer with 45. Leckonby, Galantich and Reinert are all within striking distance of 100 goals.
In her first three seasons, McLaughlin displayed versatility by putting up respectable numbers on both sides of the ball: 38 goals, 47 ground balls and 27 caused turnovers. After getting reps at all three positions during the fall, she wants to make her presence felt wherever she plays. “If I’m on offense, I’ll focus on putting us in great chances to score.” she said. “If I’m on defense, I’ll do my best to make an impact on that end.”
In her first year, Scattergood isn’t putting a cap on her expectations. “I don’t want to put a plateau on how far this team can go,” she said, “but I do want to step back, evaluate our competition and focus on each conference game at a time.”
In her last year, McLaughlin has one goal on her mind before graduation.
“The seniors have wanted the same thing for the last four years,” she said. “And that’s winning a CACC championship.”
