PHILADELPHIA - La Salle University women's lacrosse Head Coach Candace Taglianetti has announced the team captains for the 2011 season.  Senior Brittany White, juniors Rachel Baker and Sara Ciaverelli and sophomore Melanie Sarcinello will serve as team captains, as selected by their teammates and the coaching staff. 

 

“The four student athletes that were chosen to lead this team are great role models on and off the field,” said Taglianetti. “They each possess different qualities that will compliment one another’s to effectively lead this team as a unit.” 

 

The Explorers are coming off their most successful season in school history.  La Salle totaled a program-best nine victories, including five in the Atlantic 10 Conference, and garnered the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament.  

 

A defender from Farmingdale, NY, White appeared in all 16 games for the Explorers last season.  She picked up two ground balls in both of La Salle’s contests against Massachusetts.  White was named to the A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll for the Fall 2009 and to the 2010 IWLCA Academic Honor Roll as well. 

 

Baker served in a significant leadership role as a sophomore midfielder last season.  An A-10 All-Tournament Team selection, Baker caused a team-high 27 turnovers and collected a team-high 28 ground balls on the season.  The Montclair, NJ native gathered a season-high five ground balls in La Salle’s triple-overtime victory against Monmouth and was named A-10 Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts.

 

A junior defender, Ciaverelli became the first Explorer to be named A-10 Defensive Player of the Week on 2/15/10. She controlled three draws against Richmond and caused two turnovers against George Washington.  The Hatfield, PA native was named to the A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010. 

 

Sarcinello started and played in all 16 games as a freshman midfielder last season. An A-10 All-Rookie Team selection, Sarcinello finished second on the team in assists with 31 and finished fourth on the team in both goals scored (20) and points (47).  She was named A-10 Rookie of the Week (2/15/10) after scoring a goal and adding three assists in her collegiate debut against Navy. She scored three goals against Presbyterian, controlled three draws against Monmouth, and was named A-10 Rookie of the Week again on 3/16/10. The Newtown Square, PA native was named to the A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll for Spring 2010. 

 

The Explorers will open their 2011 campaign with a home contest against Delaware on February 19th.