2006 Lacrosse Preview Brundage confident about Monarchs' potential in 2006 There’s a new era again for the Methodist Monarch lacrosse team for the 2006 season, but the tradition will remain the same. Aiming to continue the rising success of Methodist’s newest sport is first-year head coach Beth Brundage, who replaces Jill Penrose after two seasons in which the Monarchs garnered one USA South Athletic Conference regular season championship and one USA South Tournament runner-up finish. Brundage inherits a Methodist team that is coming off an 8-9 season in 2005 in which the Monarchs advanced to the USA South Tournament championship game, and the ingredients for a return trip beginning to blend in 2006. Methodist returns six starters and nine letterwinners from last season, and have added seven promising newcomers for a true mix. “In reality, the team on the field this season will be different,” said Brundage, who coached three seasons at the high school level in Georgia before coming to Methodist in the summer. “But the one thing that caught my eye in the fall and in the preseason is how this team has adapted to what I’ve implemented. The girls bring a good intensity to the game and they’ve worked hard to better their skills.” Offensively, there should be no shortage of scoring opportunities for the Monarchs. Back is reigning USA South Player of the Year Lauren McGonagle, plus reigning USA South Rookie of the Year Katelyn Cushman and one of the top scoring threats in the USA South – Lindsey West. McGonagle, a junior midfielder, ranked second in the USA South last season in goals scored with 49 and led the conference in assists with 29 and in points scored with 72. West, a senior midfielder, scored 37 goals last season, while Cushman ranked fourth on the team in scoring with 28 goals. All three players will counted on heavily for offensive production this season. “They all approach the game well,” Brundage said. “This is the third year that Lindsey has been a captain, so that gives you a good example of her leadership abilities. They are not individuals – they want what is best for the team and making the team better.” McGonagle, West and Cushman will have plenty of support. Sophomores Kali Rodriguez and Jenna Nobles join West, McGonagle and Cushman to give the Monarchs arguably one of the best midfields in the USA South. Senior Rachel Valentine, sophomore Bridget Holcomb and freshmen Annie Ferrara are strong up front in the attack position. Brundage aims to spread the scoring around and get more scoring balance offensively. “Offensively, one thing I like is the scoring will be spread out and the goals will be assisted,” Brundage said. “I like seeing that. Now teams will have to focus on more than three players as potential offensive threats.” Last season, the defensive back line was a weak link for the Monarchs, and Brundage is working to shore up that area. Senior All-Conference performer Bridgette McGrath anchors the defense at one defender position, while junior Kim Collier moves out of the goal and into the field on the defensive back line. Freshmen Kelsey Britt and Lydia Haig will also be counted on for defensive contributions. Taking Collier’s spot in the goal is promising freshman Andrea DiStefano. “Those players are aware of the heat they took last season defensively, and they’re working hard to become more of the strength,” Brundage said. “Overall, our defense is faster, and I’ve been happy with their communication. I like having a player of Bridgette’s caliber back there as an anchor.” This should be a challenging first season for Brundage. The Monarchs were selected fourth in the USA South preseason, but there is more to play for this season. With the addition of North Carolina Wesleyan as a program, the conference now has an automatic qualifier for the NCAA Division III National Tournament. In addition to the conference slate, the Monarchs also battle Division II programs Belmont Abbey and Presbyterian, plus Division III non-conference opponents York, Guilford, Bridgewater, Elizabethtown, Gordon and the College of Notre Dame.| “We have the same mindset entering the season, and I believe we can make a strong run at the conference title,” Brundage said. “Most teams don’t know about our personnel, and there will be plenty of good competition.