Feb. 25, 2011
By Jeff Sattora, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Coach Missy Doherty knows about winning National Lacrosse championships and the new coach of the Nittany Lions is ready to use that experience, along with a talented group of players to get Penn State to the top of the lacrosse world.
Doherty comes into Penn State with the experience of five national championships as a player and coach under her belt.
As a new coach, she understands the challenge that she is up for taking over the second winningest program in NCAA history in women's lacrosse.
"Our challenge is really to turn the corner and take the program into the top five, top ten, and the players are working really hard to do that," Doherty said.
With a very tough schedule, already facing the defending national champions in Maryland in the season opener, the Lions will look towards a strong group of seniors and experienced players to lead the way.
Senior Captain Maggie Dunbar has been through the grind and knows just how much this experience can help down the road.
"I just think we have a lot of experience, especially with the seniors," Dunbar said. "That will definitely help in the big games when we've seen the situation before and we know the tough competition we'll face in every game."
Coach Doherty called the senior class, "one of the high points of the team" and talked about just how hard working and driven they are to compete in the conference and NCAAs. The experience is something that you can't coach no matter how hard you try so having that this season is a real plus for the Lions.
Hard work is word that was echoed between coach and player as one of the keys to this team being successful.
"I feel like hard work and confidence is important in every play, not just in scoring a goal or stopping the ball," Dunbar said, when talking about the team's keys.
Confidence is very important as she added, "if we all have confidence in not just ourselves, but each other we'll all work well together and hopefully come out on top."
Coach Doherty talked about "the process" in making this team successful, especially since she has been here. "They've been really dedicated in the day to day work and working hard and that's all a coach can really ask for," she said.
Being a new coach the transition for the players is not lost on her and something she has been happy with so far.
"It's a lot to learn the first year of a new coach and the girls have done a great job with it, "she said. Adding, "There is a learning curve and they have continued to listen and work hard and do the things it takes to get better."
Excitement and anticipation seemed to be in the air, as the team is getting ready for their first home game this Saturday as they take on Albany.
Doherty talked about bouncing back from a tough loss to Maryland and working hard to bring their "A" game against Albany, who won their conference last year.
"It will be exciting to play at home and debut for the first time this season," she said. As well as mentioning how this will be the first of many tough games for this squad this season.
Being a senior and a captain Dunbar mentioned her personal goal was, "getting everyone on the same page and working hard," not a personal stat, not an award she wanted to win, but a team related personal goal. That is the kind of attitude that can help take this team to the top and fill those lofty expectations.
