By Justin Rushia
After barely missing out on the SUNYAC playoffs in 2024, the Plattsburgh State women’s lacrosse team has its sights set on making it to the tournament for the first time in its short seven-year history.
“I don’t like to hang low; I always believe. If you’re gonna have a vision, dream big,” assistant coach Josh Walker said. “The goal is to make the tournament and just win the whole thing. I think a lot of people would doubt that we could do that based on previous history. But from what I’ve seen from this team, I believe we can.”
This season’s roster was announced by the Plattsburgh State athletic department. Included is the team’s only graduate student, Mae Olshansky (Goalie). The senior class includes Maddy Garcia (Attack), Rachel LaMar (Midfield), Caitlin Nash (Midfield), and Nicole Resnick (Midfield).
Among the juniors are Taya Balfour (Midfield), Cynthia Barnosky (Attack), Lexi Carfi (Defense), Erica Dickinson (Attack), Lillian Gilroy (Defense), Alex LaDue (Attack/Midfield), Emma McLean (Midfield), Shannon McLaughlin (Attack), Anna Myers (Midfield), and Ava Parsons (Defense/Midfield).
The sophomore class features Chase Calandra (Defense/Midfield), Sloane Carr (Defense), Abby Guasconi (Attack), Isabella Girard (Midfield), and Iohseriio Tabor (Midfield).
The first-year class includes Olivia Bustamante (Defense), Ashley O’Hara (Attack), Leah Klotz (Attack) and Maggie Maurer (Attack/Midfield).
“I’m excited about the camaraderie we’ve seen from these players and the teamwork overall. We have first years that are playing with seniors, but it looks like they’ve been playing together forever. I think they’re meshing very well,” Walker said.
Nash, Gilroy and Lamar will captain the Cardinals for their 2025 campaign.
“They have been outstanding in stepping up to that leadership role,” Walker said. “You know, it’s hard enough for coach Wall and I, just two of us, to coach a team of 25 girls, but to have them to help us along the way; it’s inspiring having them there. I believe they’re gonna do great things for Plattsburgh lacrosse.”
Last season, Barnosky led the team in total points, goals, assists, shots on goal, and game-winning goals. The junior attacker is poised to replicate her success this season.
“She’s just an absolute menace when the ball gets in her stick,” Walker said. “I believe she’ll break every record that this school has as long as she keeps pushing herself.”
The Cardinals are set to bolster their roster by welcoming several skilled athletes from the women’s hockey team, who will join them after the season concludes.
“They come so in shape, so ready to play. It’s exciting to just add that burst of energy halfway through the season,” Walker said.
The only goalie on the roster is Olshansky, who is currently playing for the women’s hockey team. Myers will stand in the net to begin the season. Myers saw action in four games last season as a midfielder.
With the departure of Geneseo and Brockport from the conference and the arrival of Morrisville and Canton, Plattsburgh’s chances of securing a playoff berth have significantly improved.
“I think that now is our time to shine. We’re gonna have a really strong shot with the talent that we have with the changes in the conference,” Nash said.
Plattsburgh will start its season with a slew of non-conference games, beginning with its first two against Norwich and Castleton on Tuesday, Feb. 25, and Wednesday, Feb. 26, respectively.
“I’m really looking for our team to send that message after the first non-conference game and to show that we’re doing really well and that we can score and move with anyone,” Lamar said.
