The Bishop O'Connell girls lacrosse team currently weighs in with an overall record of 5-5. The Knights, coached by Shannon Moore (ninth season), have defeated Annandale, C.D. Hylton, St. Mary's Ryken and Seton (Md.) - by substantial margins and Paul VI in a nail biter.

In WCAC action, O'Connell has lost only one game to Ireton, thus the Knights weighs in with an overall WCAC mark of 3-1.

Twenty-two girls comprise the O'Connell squad (12 seniors, six juniors, three sophomores and one freshman).

Spearheading the defense is tri-captain goalie Marina McCarthy. "Marina is a three-year starter. She is committed and dedicated and is always looking to improve," said Moore.

"We've got some good individual players, but this year’s strength is that we work as a team. The goalie is the last person on defense and is also the first person on offense" said McCarthy.

Also playing the goalie position, depending on the situation, is senior Malia Butler.

"Both girls are good. The exact game situation depends who is in the game," said Moore.

Anchoring the defense are senior "third man" Caitrin Considine, senior "cover point" Laura Madsen and either sophomore Tricia Urick or sophomore Melanie Wadden at the "point" position.

Stepping up in the all important midfield position are freshman "center" Alex

Breiner, senior tri-captain/"attack wing" Allison Lawton, senior "defensive wing" Kristina D'Ambrosio, senior "wing" Kerry O'Keefe and junior "wing" Liz Bikowski.

In addition, sophomore Tiffany Delgado also sees significant action. Senior Sam Garvey and junior Shannon Ambrose would both log significant minutes but each is currently injured.

"Allison [Lawton] is real spirited. Her mood pretty much sets the tone during the game," said Moore.

"We are starting to work together as a team. We give it everything we have every time we step on the field," said Bikowski.

Manning the offense are senior tri-captain/"third home" Tara Call, senior

"second home" Alex Cople and senior "first home" Meghan O'Connor. Other key players on offense include senior Julia Behrmann and junior Bethany

Natoli.

"Tara is our real leader on the field and she is our leading scorer. She is very intense and she has a great shot," said Moore.

"It's my job to win the [faceoff] draw. I need to make something happen out there. This is a good team all the way around. Nobody tries to be the star. We're all pretty unselfish," said Call.

In terms of scoring, Call leads the Knights with 16 goals, including 10 in the past three games alone.

The quartet of Breiner, D'Ambrosio, O'Keefe and Behrmann have combined for nearly 25 goals.

"We won the WCAC Championship in 1996. It seems that every year since then that all of the other teams in the league have gotten stronger. These girls work together well as a team. They pass the ball very well. They're a good group of kids," said Moore.