Northwestern University Athletics
Kelly Amonte Hiller Looks Ahead To Upcoming 2010 Season
1/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Jan. 25, 2010
Northwestern begins the defense of its five consecutive national championships next weekend, opening up the 2010 schedule on Saturday, Feb. 6, in San Diego, Calif. The Wildcats will face off against Massachusetts in a rematch of last year's NCAA first round. NUsports.com recently sat down with Wildcat head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller to get her thoughts on the upcoming season.
On the progress of the team in the offseason...
"I was pleased with our fall ball this year. For having a young team like we do, I thought they came together. It definitely has been a process for us, and will continue to be because we are young, but girls have started to step up and I'm excited about the process and the opportunities for this team. We're all eager to get the season going."
On the challenges of replacing the 2009 senior class...
"I think its pretty similar to when we had to replace the 2007 team. Obviously when you have players like Hannah (Nielsen), Hilary (Bowen) and Meredith (Frank), you can't just plug someone else into their spot because of everything those players could do and were able to accomplish. It's a big class to lose, but I think the players that were sophomores and freshmen last year are very talented and eager, and this year's senior class is very hungry. It's just going to be a matter of time on how we come together, but we definitely have to get better every day in order to be a competitor, and do so quickly."
On the impact the senior class will have...
"The leadership will be crucial. They've learned a lot this fall on what it takes to be a leader, and they've had an impact on the younger girls as well as some of them have taken on leadership roles as well. I think we're heading into the season with the motto that everyone needs to lead this group and also lead themselves, but the seniors are going to be a crucial role in that. The more the younger girls want to play for these seniors, the better off we'll be."
On how this year's team compares to the record-setting 2009 team...
"I think we have the potential to be very explosive, much like how last year's team was. We have more speed this year than we did last year across the board. We brought in some good, young freshman with speed and players are really starting to figure out their roles and step into them. Obviously Danielle Spencer and Katrina Dowd will be the leaders, but we've got some other dynamic players that should have great years as well."
On having a pair of new faces in goal...
"I think it's been different for the girls to look back and not see Morgan (Lathrop), but different can be exciting. It's been a change. But Brianne LoManto and Darby St. Clair-Barrie have really fought all fall and it really is neck and neck at this point. They are working extremely hard and pushing each other and I really like the way both have played. We've worked with both of them about stepping into that leadership role because the goalkeeping role is so important. But along with that, we have a very experienced defense coming back, and I think those defenders have also taken it up on themselves to pick up the slack, and all of them are really working well together."
On another very challenging schedule...
"Playing the top teams in the country really helps prepare us. It helps prepare us for what we need to be in the end and definitely makes us stronger. Our conference is only getting better as well, so it will be a big challenge. But ultimately, it is something the girls want. They get excited about having the best competition on the schedule, and as a coach there's nothing more you could ask for than for your team to be excited about the opportunities they have. At this point, we've done well with those challenges, so we'll see how the team responds this time around. We want to prepare our girls and see what they can do with these challenges."
On her goals for the upcoming season...
"Coming together as a team is a big goal for us. We do have a lot of new faces, and I think that's the biggest challenge is getting people familiar with their roles and with each other. It is happening, and we're right there on the verge, but we need to continue to get better at a very fast rate. Other than that, our goals are the same as they always are. We just try to get better at every practice and every game and challenge the girls to be better. We're going to push this group. I think it's a group that's ready to be pushed and we'll see what we can do."
