SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: Sandpoint Girls Lacrosse boasts largest team in program history

Last season: 7-3 with key wins over Gonzaga Prep (twice), Richland-Hanford, Kamiakin.

Coaches: Nancy Dooley, fifth year, head coach; Dig Chrismer, assistant coach; Ryan Argabrite (05'), assistant coach; Kayla Beers (24'), assistant coach.

Key newcomers: Kat Argabrite, fr.; Medea Moon, so.

Key returners: Tess Sloan, jr.; Marin Browne, sr.; Grace Gavin jr.; Cecilia Dignan, jr.; Reina Montecchi, so.

Key losses: Cassidy Aitken; Rowan Davis; Eva Sloan; Terra Bode; Maddie Mitchell.

Outlook: With 22 girls on the roster, nine of which are freshman, the Lady Bulldogs will have to battle in order to capture their fifth straight winning season under fifth-year head coach Nancy Dooley. Despite losing four Washington Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association East Division honorees and a number of other seniors to graduation, the team has been showing signs of promise early on, even hanging tough against the Spokane Stealth in their season opener.

"We're going to have a lot of underclassmen on the field and they are going to have to contribute a lot to our team," coach Dooley said. "A lot of them have been playing for years, and it will be a transition into high school ball, but I think several of them will catch on just fine. There are a lot of girls on our team that are near the same skill level, so we'll have to see who rises up into our starting positions."

The only returning WSLA East Division honoree, junior Tess Sloan, returns and is set to be one of Sandpoint's main scoring options this season. She had a few multi-goal games a year ago, but this year she'll really be able to breakthrough up front. In the team's season opener this past Thursday, Sloan already proved that to be true by netting a career-high three goals against the Stealth.

Sloan and sophomore midfielder Reina Montecchi are two that Dooley noted worked hard in the offseason to sharpen their skills. The same goes for senior Marin Browne, who also set a career-high in goals scored with three during the season opener.

"Tess and Reina have played summer ball, travel, fall ball. Along with Marin, they're going to have fill some spots that were left vacant by our two top scorers from last year, Cassidy (Aitken) and Rowan (Davis)," coach Dooley said.

Sophomore Medea Moon steps into a varsity role this season and is slated to see the majority of minutes in between the posts. In front of her on defense, Cecilia Dignan, Abby Baker and Grace Gavin will have to hold things down.

"Grace, Abby and Cecilia will have to help thwart those attacks on goal this year to support our newcomer goalie, Medea," coach Dooley said. "Medea has been working very hard in goal. Ryan Argabrite (assistant coach) moved up from coaching the 7/8 team and will be working with goalies — that's his main thing."

Freshman Kat Argabrite, daughter Ryan Argabrite, who is a 2005 Sandpoint High graduate, is a freshman set to make an immediate impact, already scoring two goals in the season opener.

"She's a strong freshman with good defensive skills and really aggressive shots on goal," coach Dooley said. "I expect to see her standout."

As for this year's opponents, it may be a down year for the Spokane Stealth as they've graduated 10 seniors, but Richland-Hanford, Kamiakin, and Gonzaga Prep are looking strong according to coach Dooley.

"Richland and Kamiakin are going to be some of our toughest competitors, and for some of those games, we'll be down a few players," coach Dooley said. "We're going to have to really dig deep and everyone is going to need to contribute to win those games. It's unclear how we stack up against the others without being tested yet."

Despite a newcomer/freshman-heavy lineup this year, Dooley said she is excited for another season and that the team's chemistry is off the charts.

"They're a really supportive group with great attitudes, and they're hard workers," coach Dooley said. "It's our biggest team ever, so that in itself is exciting for our future."

Sandpoint Girls Lacrosse Schedule 

3/13 — @ Spokane Stealth, 6 p.m. 

3/18 — @ Gonzaga Prep, 7 p.m. 

3/22 — vs. Richland, 10 a.m. 

3/22 — vs. Kamiakin, 4 p.m. 

4/12 — @ Richland, 1 p.m. 

4/12 — @ Kamiakin, 5:30 p.m. 

4/15 — vs. Gonzaga Prep, 6 p.m. 

4/24 — @ Big Cats (Mt. Spokane), 5:30 p.m. 

4/28 — vs. Spokane Stealth, 6 p.m. 

    Sandpoint High junior defender Cecilia Dignan scoops up a groundball during a home game last season against Gonzaga Prep