2012 Long Island women's lacrosse outlook

A team-by-team capsule look at Long Island's Division II and Division III women's lacrosse programs heading into the 2012 season.

DIVISION II

ADELPHI

Last year: 20-0

Coach: Rob Grella, first year.

Players to watch

Attack: Erica Devito (77 goals, 29 assists), Devan Crimi (46, 27), Tara Gangarossa.

Midfielders: Marissa Mills (40, 15) Meg Brown (22, 2).

Defenders: Katelynn Ciaci, Jacqueline Williams.

Outlook: Three-time defending national champions have a new coach but remain strong contenders.

DOWLING

Last year: 15-3

Coach: Kerri McCabe, fifth year (45-18).

Players to watch

Attack: Brooke Witkowski (42,78), Kelly Cefalu (43,5).

Midfielders: Nicolle Moran (54,8), Samantha Stavish (31,2).

Defenders: Alana Gund, Meaghan Smith.

Outlook: The defending ECC champs went to the NCAA tournament for the first time last season. Graduation hit hard, but a repeat performance is still the goal.

LIU POST

Last year: 13-4.

Coach: Meghan McNamara, fifth year (62-11).

Players to watch

Attack: Ashley Olen (67), Jaclyn Sileo (34,67).

Midfielders: Lauren Spagnoletta (62,11), Nan Mayot.

Defenders: Chelsea Donaldson, Aimee Capps, Ashley Babst.

Goalkeeper: Dominique Mosca.

Outlook: The Pioneers did not get an NCAA bid for the first time in five years. That should change this season.

QUEENS

Last year: 9-8

Coach: Tricia Moran Bonagura, first year. .

Players to watch

Attack: Heather Rosen.

Midfielder: Sarah Boucher (57,7), Meghan Monahan

Defender: Nicole Foy

Goalkeeper: Kahli Evans.

Outlook: Queens continues to make strides in only its third season of competition.

DIVISION III

FARMINGDALE STATE

Last year: 8-8

Coach: Katie Mollot, second year (8-8).

Players to watch

Attack: Carly Schneider (35), Krystin Shand (22, 15), Kim Rigney (22)

Defenders: Jillian Pironti, Emalee Ciampo

Goalkeeper: Courtney Cook.

Outlook: Senior leadership is a necessity if the Rams are to make an impact in the Skyline Conference.

ST. JOSEPH'S (LI)

Last year: No program.

Coach: Bob Vlahakis, first season.

Players to watch

Attack: Lisa Terry, Cait Webber, Jackie Myers.

Midfielders: Karalyn Tetelman, Michelle Gulino, Alyssa Cordano, Cait Halloran.

Defenders: Nicole Lyman, Megan Lapham, Amanda D'Onofrio.

Goalkeeper: Erin O'Connor.

Outlook: Vlahakis worked wonders as a high school coach at Shoreham-Wading River, but he'll need time to get this new program off the ground. No players on the roster have appeared in a regular-season college game.

NJCAA REGION 15

NASSAU CC

Last year: 4-7

Coach: Jessica Marra, fifth year (26-21).

Players to watchAttack: Alyssa McCormick, Janelle Rivera, Quinnipiac transfer Taylor Martello, LIU Post transfer Heather Russell, Kutztown transfer Nicole Cooksey, Connecticut transfer Alexa Lenna, Emily Apuzzo.

Midfielders: Amanda Castronovo. Kristilyn Reynolds, Michaela Regan, Kelsey Reigel, Christine Page, Casey Naab.

Defenders: Lesley Sorto, Alexis Washington, Meghan Maroney, Paige Apfelbaum, Nikita Stewart, Nicole Brown, Lisa Falcetta, Jenn Rooney. Goalkeeper: Amanda Tunkel.

Outlook: With seven returnees, Nassau CC expects trip to regional tournament.