Following two years of progress, the Clarkson University Women’s Lacrosse team took a surprising step backwards in 2011. The Golden Knights started off well enough with a victory in their first game, but the win proved to be an anomaly in a season of disappointment. Now, fourth-year head coach Kathryn Durki and assistant coach Kindra Catalano hope that the 2011 season was nothing more than a hiccup on the way to the program’s development into a perennial Liberty League contender.

The Golden Knights possess some talent at the attack position with two historic scorers in the lead. Juniors Alyssa Cristaldi (North Syracuse, NY) and Katie VanDeValk (Baldwinsville, NY) have already catapulted themselves on to the all-time scoring list at Clarkson. Cristaldi, a Liberty League Second-Team All-Star as a sophomore, has posted back-to-back 50-point seasons, including 82 goals in just 27 games. Last season she scored 38 goals and 16 assists for 54 points, figures that led the team and ranked in the top five in the conference. VanDeValk plays a more all-around role, leading the team in caused turnovers and ranking second in the conference in draw controls, though she, too, has plenty of offensive skill with 31 goals last year.

Adding to the Knights’ depth on offense are senior Laura Barlow (Latham, NY), junior Kerrie Cline (Tuxedo, NY), and sophomore Marissa Mastronardi (Cortland, NY). Barlow started all 12 games last year for the Knights and contributed five points on four goals and an assist, while Cline also earned a starting nod in all 12 contests, finishing fourth on the team in goals with 15. Mastronardi made an immediate impact for the Knights in her first season, finishing fourth on the team in points with 21 and making her shots count by leading the squad in shots on goal percentage.

Freshmen Danielle Faivus (Oswego, NY) and Abby Doyle (Syracuse, NY) are two top recruits that should add to Clarkson’s depth at attack in 2012.

Seniors Saryn Campbell (West Bolton, VT) and Alyssa Dausman (Syracuse, NY) bring different skill sets in the midfield, but both are three-year contributors that have plenty of experience. Campbell, a Liberty League Second-Team All-Star last year, led the conference in draw controls (4.25 per game) and also tacked on a team-best 33 groundballs. Scoring 34 points on 21 goals and 13 assists, Campbell is likely to join the 100-point club for the Knights in 2012. While Campbell plays in the middle of the field, Dausman is situated on the outside and uses her speed to aid in clears and to kick start the Knights’ offense in open space. She still was able to chip in a goal and four assists along with 18 groundballs in 2011.

Junior Morgan McGowan (Stony Point, NY) adds in more experience at midfield, serving as a starter for the past two years over all 27 games. McGowan is a defense-first midfielder with 11 caused turnovers and 23 groundballs over the last two seasons.

Joining the three veterans in the midfield are junior transfer Nicole Kelly (Syracuse, NY) and a pair of freshmen in Cassie Grace (Potsdam, NY) and Taryn Dausman (Syracuse, NY). All three anticipate plenty of playing time for the Knights this year.

Although the defense has some upperclassmen in the fray, many have endured injuries over the last few seasons that have held them back. With health in their corner thus far, the group should help reduce the opposition’s chances in 2012. Seniors Hillary Clifton (Killingworth, CT) and Mary Twiss (Potsdam, NY) have been with the program for several years, but the pair combined to play in just 15 games last season, including nine starts. Junior Jeannette Pendergast (Greenfield Center, NY) was able to get a bit more playing time than the seniors last year, seeing the field in nine games with seven of those coming as starts. If the trio can spend more time on the field and less in the training room, than the consistency on defense should take care of itself.

Sophomore Adrienne Walker (Syracuse, NY) saw time in six games last year and will join freshmen Mollie Simmons (Clinton, CT) and Emma Oliver (Jericho, VT) in hopes of cracking the lineup this season.

As the last line of defense, goalkeeper Hannah Walters (Amherst, NH) has served as a three-year starter for the Knights. Walters ranks among the nation’s best in raw total for saves over the past few years and once again led the Liberty League in 2011 with 155 saves while placing second in save percentage (.478). Walters saw 716 minutes of action as a junior last year, leaving just four minutes for first-year player Kara DiNatale (Auburn, NH). DiNatale may get a little more playing time as a sophomore this season and will certainly be in line for a promotion in the near future.