Four years into the history of the program, the Pacific women’s lacrosse team stands poised to take their game to a higher level.

In just four seasons, the Boxers have evolved from a program comprised mainly of players learning the game for the first time to a competitive program. The Boxers finished with a 6-5 record in 2010, the first winning record in team history.

Head Coach Wynne Lobel believes that the Boxers’ success will only continue to rise. “I think you will see us at the next level this year,” Lobel said. “The girls have been pretty motivated by the success of last year and by the promise of a whole new generation of lacrosse that’s happening here.”

And there are plenty on the squad who are ready to taste success again. The Boxers return 14 players from the 2010 team, including nine regular starters. Lobel said that, across the board, the returners remained dedicated during the off-season, working to improve on individual skills. At the same time, the team has quickly adopted the presence of three newcomers, each of which bring an athletic presence to the game.

The team approach to the game will be key to the Boxers’ future success. “We are so much stronger because we are playing as a team,” Lobel said of the Boxers’ work in practice and in their Feb. 26 play day event. “That has come through not only with on-field chemistry, but in off-field encouragement every day. There is tremendous positivity on this team and it is because of our captains and because of our on-field leaders.”

Once again in 2011, Pacific will be challenged to improve against some of the best teams at the NCAA Division III level. The Boxers will welcome the likes of Carthage, North Central, Colorado College and Plymouth State, Lobel’s former school, to Forest Grove this season. Likewise, the Boxers will trek to southern California to face the three Division III programs in the Southland.

Lobel believes that scheduling tough teams is a key component to making the Boxers an even stronger program. “You have to play strong teams in order to get better,” Lobel said. “The opportunity to play teams with tradition and with successful histories is a gift for us. We can compete with them. The only reason that we might not have known how to compete with them is because we haven’t played them.”

ATTACK
Pacific will be the youngest up front, but return a couple of experienced players at the attack who saw plenty of time as freshmen. Kelly Stevens (So., Colorado Springs, Colo.) provided a solid spark up front in eight starts, finishing third for the Boxers with 24 goals. “Kelly has expanded her game greatly,” Lobel said. “She is team focused and she is a great one-on-one attacker.”

Carmen Taplin (So., Hillsboro, Ore.) provided some solid scoring off the bench despite 5-foot frame. Playing in all of the team’s matches, Taplin scored 10 goals and finished third for the Boxers with four assists. “Carmen is actively pursuing ways to expand her game and her shot selection,” Lobel said. “She is a small person, but she is working to play bigger on the field.”

Ella VandeKamp (Jr., Alameda, Calif.) has worked her way back to the roster after a season away. She played five games for the Boxers during the 2009 season. Kacey Killingbeck (Fr., Nampa, Idaho) will also see time at the attack, but will demonstrate most of her scoring prowess out of the midfield.

MIDFIELD
The midfield has historically been where most of Pacific’s scoring has come from. In 2010, 80 of the Boxers’ 151 goals came from midfielders. With many of those goals returning this year, Pacific will surely be aiming score from the middle of the park.

Kaitlyn Harper (So., Oregon City, Ore.) made an immediate impact in her first season. Harper started 10 of 11 games and led the team with 40 goals and eight assists. She netted one game-winner while also leading the Boxers in ground balls, draw controls and caused turnovers. She ranked 44th among NCAA Division III players in goals per game, leading a Pacific offense that ranked 50th nationally. “Kaitlyn is as intense as ever,” Lobel said.

Monica Smith (Jr., Wilsonville, Ore.) continues to bring an aggressive attack to the midfield. She scored 29 goals as a sophomore to go along with six assists and 27 draw controls, finishing second to Harper in each category. “Monica is the real deal,” Lobel said. She is a competitor and all she wants to do is play.”

Natalie Getchell (Sr., Beaverton, Ore.) is one of two seniors on the squad and has been a solid presence in the midfield each of her first three seasons. Getchell finished with seven goals and four assists as a junior, but earned a reputation as a solid play-starter and distributor. “Her stick skills, her strength and her agility have all taken a step up,” Lobel said. “It’s very noticeable.”

Killingbeck has the potential to be the biggest impact newcomer to the team. A four-year prep player in Idaho, Killingbeck scored 35 goals as a senior, was a three-time all-star selection and earned U.S. Lacrosse high school all-academic honors. “Kacey has improved incredibly from the first time she stepped on the field here with her stick skills and speed,” Lobel said. “She has evolved nicely and is a very intelligent athlete.”

DEFENSE
Pacific will continue to be deepest in the defense. The Boxers return six players on the backline from last year’s squad, all of which saw significant time on the field.

Rachel Wong (So., Beaverton, Ore.) and Sydney Vincent (Jr., Portland, Ore.) will once again anchor the defense. Wong started nine of 11 games for the Boxers and finished the year with 13 ground balls and nine caused turnovers. Vincent started all but one of Pacific’s 11 games. She came up with 13 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers.

“Rachel and Sydney are both great leaders,” Lobel said. “Sydney is a phenomenal one-on-one defender. Rachel has a head for zone and is a leader in her own way.”

Adrienne Wilburn (So., Boise, Idaho) will see increased time for the Boxers after playing in three matches in her freshman campaign. In addition to her defensive duties, Wilburn will serve as the team’s back-up goalkeeper.

Krispin Jewkes (So., Carbondale, Colo.) and Ashley Guieb (Fr., Waipahu, Hawaii) bring some solid athleticism to the defense in their first seasons with the team. Jewkes comes into the season in shape having played two seasons of soccer for the Boxers. Guieb plays lacrosse for the first time after four years of prep soccer in Hawaii.

Pacific benefits by the presence of three returners in the midfield defense. Mikalia Way (Jr., Evergreen, Colo.) played in all 11 games last season and proved an effective defender. “She is an incredible public leader,” Lobel said. “She keeps the team together and is very encouraging.”

Kristin Dick (So., Auburn, Wash.) and Hanna Landrus (So., Bend, Ore.) will both see expanded time in the midfield. Dick played in 10 games and scored two goals to go along with six ground balls. Landrus also saw action in 10 games, making two starts.

GOALKEEPER
After a solid freshman season in the net, Brittany Hartmann (So., Portland, Ore.) will be the Boxers’ anchor in goal. Hartmann started all but two games in her opening campaign, registering a 14.94 goals against average. She average nine saves per game, ranking 69th nationally among Division III goalkeepers. Her .452 save percentage also ranked in the top-100 in the national stats.

Lobel said that Hartmann has greatly improved her game, both by continued work on her individual skills and by her continued work as a second year goalkeeper for the Pacific women’s soccer program. “She is exactly why you want dual sport athletes on your team,” Lobel said. “Her confidence is high. We’re trying to work her as hard as we can and then bring her out when it matters.”