JACOB VALLAS
Special to The Leader
Sadie Brown, Makayalla Farino, Erin Woods, Molly McGowan, Isabella DeCola, Julie Culver and Emily Carr.
Photo by KAYLA WELSH | Staff Photographer.
The Fredonia women’s lacrosse team was faced with adversity during the 2022 season and finished bottom of the standings. The growing uncertainty of even playing a season was pressing for the Devils. In recent years, the program has failed to retain a supportive coach. After finishing 1-15 last year, the lacrosse team is in desperate need of leadership and new management heading into the 2023 season.
The new head coach, Tori Poffenberger, is aiming to be the supportive coach the players need. Originally from Maryland, Poffenberger was a walk-on at St. Mary’s College for her freshman year. She was elected captain by her sophomore year and went on to become an All American Division I Athlete. After an incredible career, she went on to teach and coach at Boonsboro high school in Maryland for five years before pursuing her passion of being a college lacrosse coach.
“I actually ended up quitting my teaching job before I finalized my job here,” Poffenberger said. “I really took a leap of faith, but I was just so excited to start this. I think that coaching college lacrosse is it for me.”
The eager and enthusiastic coach is ready to lay the foundations for years to come.
“What I really wanted to build with this team was a trust and kind of a family-like atmosphere that I don’t think has been here before,” Poffenberger said.
Along with her positive attitude, Poffenberger has also brought new equipment and programs to Fredonia. The women’s lacrosse team is now equipped with new sticks, goggles and clothing, which they did not have access to in years prior.
“I think that there’s a lot of space inside this program and money to find in order to be able to give the girls the greatest equipment that they can possibly have in order to perform,” Poffenberger said.
Poffenberger also introduced programs such as study hall and “breakfast club” designed to help the girls excel on and off the field. Emily Carr, a senior goalie, has played for several coaches during her athletic career here at Fredonia. As a four-year starter, Carr is taking on responsibilities to get the team ready to perform under new management.
“All the seniors are trying to show what needs to be done this season,” Carr said.
There is plenty of talent around this year’s Devils squad, and the seniors are helping to build the team’s culture and atmosphere. Carr also has given her stamp of approval for her new coach and appreciates the emotional and coaching connection she feels she has with Poffenberger.
When referring to past coaches Carr said, “They just didn’t connect with the team as well as Tori does.” This seems to be a recurring theme when talking to the women on the lacrosse team about their coach to athlete relationship over the past few years.
Noelle Mendez, a freshman on the lacrosse team, has brought her talents all the way from Minisink, N.Y. When asked about Poffenberger, Noelle had this to say, “She’s constantly in the works. We’ll ask her about random things, And she’s like, ‘Oh, I already have that in the works.’” Having a coach that advocates for the team and will fight for the team is something that the team hasn’t had in quite some time.
The team is being held to a different standard this year. With film sessions and lifting sessions twice a week, practices six days a week and countless hours of fitness and stickwork, the Devil’s want to get rid of any imperfections now. Creating a new level of accountability seems to be the fire that the Devils needed for the 2023 season.
Their preseason schedule started in mid-January and will end on Feb. 22, when the team travels to Grove City to take on the Wolverines. Between Feb. 22 and March 8, the Devils will play all their non-conference games facing off against Grove City, Thiel, Alfred University, Alleghany and Keuka.
“Those first five games before we head into spring break are important,” Poffenberger said. “I think we can take at least three of those games, if not more.”
Around a month after the season opener, the lacrosse team will start their SUNYAC conference play. The Devils are aiming to dominate in the stretch from March 25 to April 26 in order to make a playoff appearance and run. Coaches and players agree that Cortland, Brockport and Geneseo are some of the most hardworking and talented teams in the SUNYAC. The Devils cannot afford to lose out on points from all of these three opponents during the season.
“It’s those middle teams like New Paltz, Oswego and Oneonta that are going to be the ones that we need to get in order to get us into that fifth or sixth round spot for playoffs,” Poffenberger said.
The Devils have a lot going for them and are very eager to get on the field. With a group that is finally all on the same page, and a coach that is determined to prove herself, the Devils are hoping for excellence this year. Only time will tell where the Blue Devils stack up against their opponents this year, but the community and program are betting on themselves.