HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University women's lacrosse team looks to continue improvement in 2022. Third-year head coach Marty Durden leads a squad that has a good combination of veteran leaders and freshmen looking to make an immediate splash.
When asked about her goals for the season, Durden said: "I want the seniors to really step it up to show everyone what their last season should be and make a name for themselves. Playing together will have to be a strength that we have not shown in the past."
Durden will look to mesh the talents of her returners and her five freshmen. "The returners have been together for three years now, and they have a lot to play for with how the last two years have gone with COVID. I am very excited for our defense and goalie, Abby Kellner, to make big plays that will show how hard they worked in the off season."
"Our newcomers have filled in the gaps and have really come together to make a solid team. I can't wait for them to keep working and show their drive with each game moving forward," said Durden. "They have connected with one another and have really become a family in just six months. Every practice the upperclassmen and freshmen continue to compete to make each other stronger and better."
The Cobras kick off the season with a trip to Greenwood, S.C. to face Peach Belt Conference member Lander University (Feb. 5). The home opener for Coker is on February 11, when they host the Falcons of Montevallo University. The Cobras then travel to Wilson, N.C. to take on the Barton College Bulldogs (Feb. 15), before hosting St. Andrews (Feb. 18) and Emmanuel (Ga.) (Feb. 22) to close out the month.
The month of March signals the start of South Atlantic Conference play for the Cobras as they start the conference slate on the road at Lenoir-Rhyne (Mar. 5), before they host Wingate (Mar. 12) and travel to Newberry (Mar. 16). The Cobras wrap up the month with home games against Lincoln Memorial (Mar. 25) and Queens (N.C.) (Mar. 30).
Coker begins April with back-to-back road games against Mars Hill (Apr. 2) and Tusculum (Apr. 9). They then host Catawba (Apr. 13), and hit the road to take on Limestone in Gaffney, S.C. (Apr. 16). The Cobras wrap up the regular season at home against UVA-Wise (Apr. 23).
"I still believe we compete in one of the toughest conferences in the country with Queens (N.C.), 2021 National Champion Runners-Up, and Limestone who consistently make a name for themselves," Durden said about playing in the always difficult South Atlantic Conference. "I believe March will be our toughest games that will really tell us what we need to work on or improve, and how we can overcome those challenges to finish out the season strong in April."
The Cobras open the season on Saturday, Feb. 5 at Lander University, with the first draw scheduled for 2 p.m.. Video and live stats can be found at www.cokercobras.com.
