NET WORTH: Hun School girls’ lacrosse goalie Maddie McNulty makes a save in a game last spring. Junior McNulty’s progress last year helped Hun go 7-8 as it bounced back from a one-win campaign in 2014. The Raiders start the 2016 regular season action by hosting Princeton High on March 31 and playing at Blair Academy on April 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Liz Cook enjoyed a superb debut season at the helm of the Hun School girls’ lacrosse team last spring, guiding the Raiders to seven victories as they bounced back from a one-win campaign in 2014.
As Hun heads into 2016, Cook senses a new attitude around the program.
“I said that to them at the end of last year, the culture of losing is over, we are not doing that any more,” said Cook.
“If we play well, it is OK but that is not our expectation. Our expectations are really high this year and we are going to hold them accountable for that.”
Based on its recent preseason trip to South Carolina, the players are on board.
“They are looking to build on this momentum that we gained from last year, they all have this new sense of confidence,” said Cook, whose squad gets its 2016 campaign underway by hosting Princeton High on March 31 and playing at Blair Academy on April 2.
“I have six seniors, Allie Callaway, Lindsay Ruddy, the Consoli sisters — Emma and Katie, Sydney Peoples, and Maura Kelly. They are all great leaders and they are all bonded and are out there trying to get this team together, which is awesome.”
In Cook’s view, things are already coming together on the field. “I have a team that has all of the fundamentals, they can all throw and catch, which is so lovely,” said Cook.
“They can put in any play that you give them. They all seem to get along really well, we have a great culture in the locker room. They are all super excited; they are thinking really big this season so that is really fun to see.”
Hun boasts some big weapons on offense, featuring balance. “I have a great midfield/attack base so it is fun,” said Cook “I have three people who can take the draw, I have six shooters, I have six midfielders. I can put them anywhere. I can really interchange them, we have tried everything.”
Senior transfer and George Mason-bound Callaway along with Ruddy, junior Shannon Dudeck, sophomore Bridget Carrezola, and sophomore Nicole Apuzzi figure to put the pressure on Hun’s foes.
“I have got Allie, I have got Lindsay, I have got Shannon,” said Cook.
“Allie is dominant on the field. I have got another newcomer, Bridget Carrezola; she is a hustler and can put the ball in the net. She and Allie work very well together. She can run both ways but she is really a goal scorer. Nicole Apuzzi is dynamite; she brings this grit, determination, and aggression.”
The Hun defense is stocked with veterans, featuring Kelly, the Consoli twins, and junior Kate Davis.
“I put the Consolis back there, they are fun to watch together,” added Cook, who will be using sophomore Kendall Dandridge and freshman Olivia McNulty on defense as well.
“Emma missed last year’s season with an ACL tear so she is back again. They work really well together; I think being twins has something to do with it. Kate Davis, who is probably one of the fastest kids in the county, is back there. She is a great athlete. Maura Kelly is back there as well; she is tall and great in the defensive areas.”
At goalie, junior Maddie McNulty is poised to build on the progress she made last year when she established herself in the cage.
“With our team we do one words and her one word of the season is ‘consistency’ and that is what she is looking for,” said Cook.
“She has gained so much more consistency this year. She is talking a lot more than she did; she is screaming in cage. She is really confident with where she stands with the team. Her clears are better and just being that quarterback of the defense is her role, she knows it and she is good at it.”
In Cook’s view, her squad is poised for a very good season. “The potential is there to go wherever they want to go with it,” asserted Cook.
“We don’t have a lot of depth so they have to be in good shape. Provided we don’t have any injuries, they are thinking big; they want to go all the way. They certainly have the talent and the team unit to do it. I am just there to help and to guide them along the way as much as I can.”