WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – So, after winning a conference women’s lacrosse championship as a first-year head coach, what is one to do for an encore?

Despite losing three of its top five scorers and its record-setting netminder, Eastern Connecticut State University’s goal in 2008 is to not only repeat, but to take an additional step beyond Little East Conference play.

In her first season in 2007, head coach Christine Hutchison led the Warriors to regular season and conference championships in undefeated fashion, and into the NCAA Division III tournament as the automatic qualifier from the Little East. In the process, they won the conference regular-season title for the first time and completed their first undefeated season with a 10-9 thriller over defending champion Plymouth State University.

“I think that we want it even more this year,” predicts Hutchison, named conference Coach-of-the-Year in her first season. “Last year, they really wanted to win the conference, but this year, they want to win the conference, then go deep into the NCAA tournament, as well. They were happy to win the conference tournament last year, but the real desire wasn’t there in the NCAA tournament. But this year, I know they want more than just the LEC championship. “

If Eastern is able to repeat and capture its third LEC playoff title in four years, it will come as a surprise to few, as the Warriors were the unanimous favorite to successfully defend their crown by a vote of the conference coaches in the pre-season poll.

After losing three of its first four matches against top-level competition last spring, Eastern returned from Florida to win seven in a row and ten of its final 12 regular-season matches. After thumping their semifinal-round opponent in the LEC playoffs, the Warriors got out quickly against Plymouth in the final, and withstood a charge in the final minute to defeat the Panthers by a goal for the second time in as many matches last year.

While Hutchison feels that the conference crown is there for the wearing, she fully realizes that the team must be prepared every time out. “We have the ability to go undefeated again (in the conference), but we need to step on the field and play every conference game like it’s our last,” points out the coach. “All of the other teams in the conference have been stepping it up little by little, and they will present us with a real challenge.”

Eight key players from last year’s 13-6 team return. Four of those returnees started all 19 matches last year, while the other four may move into fulltime starting positions to offset the losses of all-region players Kara Bradley, a midfielder/defender, and goalie Erin Calkins. Among the other losses is attack Meghan Feraco, last year’s fifth 50-point scorer and the team leader in assists. Bradley played and started more matches than anyone in program history and in a three-year career, Calkins set a program record for save percentage and was second in goals-against average.

Three of last year’s six all-conference players return in top scorer Lily Anderson (Portland, ME), Taylor MacDonald (Oak Bluffs, MA) and Jackie Bivona (Middlebury). One of four seniors, Anderson is an attacking wing who gained additional honors last years as a second-team ECAC all-star. MacDonald, a midfielder, and Bivona, a defender, were second-team all-LEC picks last year, with MacDonald earning LEC Rookie-of-the-Year honors, as well. Anderson needs 13 goals to become the tenth 100-goal scorer in the program’s 13-year history.

Bivona and senior Meghan Harris (Bedford, MA) are this year’s most experienced returning defenders and they will be joined on the back line by first-year starter Allison Levine (Medford, NY). It is the responsibility of that trio – along with their teammates -- to protect junior goalie Joslin Wells (Marstons Mills, MA) who is without collegiate experience. Wells served last year as a backup to Calkins, who, as it turned out, needed none. Calkins played every minute of every match throughout her notable three-year career.

The middle of the field will be controlled by MacDonald, Anderson, senior captain Megan Gloster (Agawam, MA) and juniors Sara Barrett (Bourne, MA), and Natalie Sims (Carle Place, NY). MacDonald will play in the middle, with Sims and Anderson serving as attacking wings and Barrett and Gloster as defensive wings. Gloster returned strong last year from an injury that kept her out of action in 2006. She was second to Anderson last year with 37 goals. As only a freshman, MacDonald led the club in ground balls and draws, was second in caused turnovers., and chipped in 33 points. This year, Sims and Gloster will handle the majority of the draws.

Senior Jessica Scheno (Lindenhurst, NY) is the only returning player to see regular action on the attacking line. She will be joined by sophomore returnee Courtney Bedocs (Hamden) and sophomore newcomer Brooke Wayte (Bellport, NY). Wayte, the only newcomer expected to be in the opening-day lineup, played last year at undefeated Division II national champion C.W. Post, scoring one goal in ten matches. Bedocs also scored one goal as a freshman, while Scheno contributed ten goals in 19 matches.

Rounding out the list of returning letterwinners is sophomore attack Katie Beers (Trumbull).

Hutchison feels that the strengths of this year’s team will be depth and versatility. She feels that virtually every player on the 18-person roster will make a significant contribution, and that most have the ability to play a number of different positions and fill a number roles.

“Without the seniors from last year, our underclassmen will step up,” says Hutchison. “These players see that they need to fill those spots. They are taking much better shots, and are playing a lot smarter. Last year, we played a lot of defense because we just ran down and shot every time,” added Hutchison. “We will be taking higher percentage shots this season.”

Among the first players off the bench will be freshmen Paige Booth (Hollis, NH), Ashley Del Vecchio (Fairfield) and Rachael Joy (Huntington Station, NY). Booth is a defender, Del Veccio a midfielder, and Joy an attack.

The difficult non-conference schedule will again serve to prepare the team for both its six-match conference slate, as well as for a possible post-season tournament. Trinity College, Babson College and Wesleyan University return to the schedule from a year ago, with Amherst College back on the schedule after a year’s absence. All were ranked among the national Top 20 in early March.

“I see this team getting better as the season progresses,” submits Hutchison. “because the majority of the team is underclassmen. Since we have less (players) this year, everyone knows that they need to step up and improve. We have a large nucleus that can play. I’m very confident in our starters, and in our subs. We have a small team, but everyone is very talented.

“ I feel that they have the mentality that they are going to win, and that they will do whatever it takes to win."