STATE COLLEGE, Pa., October 16, 2002 - The Penn State women's lacrosse team has named junior Katie Jeschke, sophomore Lee Tortorelli and senior Kristin Wood as the captains of the 2003 squad. All three players made significant contributions to the squad last season, each playing in all 17 games.

"I am excited about these three players being named as this year's captains," stated head coach Suzanne Isidor. "Each one brings something special to this team and they compliment each other very well. I am confident that they will provide the leadership this young team needs to be successful."

One of three returning seniors, Kristin Wood (Wilton, Conn.) tallied four goals on nine shots last season, along with recording three assists. The midfielder gathered 14 ground balls and notched nine caused turnovers and seven draw controls in 2002. As a sophomore, Wood also played in every contest, posting nine goals and two assists for 11 points.

Ranking second on the team in goals with 32, junior Katie Jeschke (Ellicott City, Md.) returns to provide the Lions with a valuable offensive threat. A second team All-Mid Atlantic selection a year ago, Jeschke scored more than two goals on eight occasions and tallied a mark in 12 of Penn State's 17 contests. Her 20 draw controls ranked second on the team and she started every game for the Nittany Lion attack.

Only a sophomore, goalkeeper Lee Tortorelli (Havertown, Pa.) already has made her mark in the Penn State record books. Her 189 saves last season topped the previous record of 180, held by Megan Ames in 2001. Tortorelli started every game in 2002, playing 971 of the possible 1,020 minutes in goal for the Lions. She notched a save percentage of .504 with a 11.48 mark for goals against average.

Penn State returns 18 letterwinners from last season's 8-9 squad and welcomes eight newcomers. The Lions finished 2002 ranked 15th by the IWLCA but were ranked as high as 10th following their 10-9 defeat of then-third-ranked Loyola on April 6. Penn State opens the season on March 1 when it hosts Vanderbilt beginning at noon.