First-year head coach Molly Hesterberg takes over the Hood women’s lacrosse program this spring as the Blazers begin their first season of competition in the Capital Athletic Conference.

The former standout at Western Connecticut State University welcomes six veterans from the 2007 squad which advanced to the championship game of the Atlantic Women’s Colleges Conference. In addition, Hesterberg assembled a group of seven newcomers who look to provide a solid foundation for the Blazers this season and for years to come as the Blazers take this important step in the program’s 12-year history.

Co-captains Lauren Lieb and Brandy Noel will anchor both ends of the field and provide valuable leadership to the young Blazer squad. Lieb has been Hood’s starting goalkeeper for her entire career in the blue and grey. A powerful, vocal netminder who steps to the ball well, Lieb was an honorable mention all-league performer last season. She is currently second all-time at Hood in career saves with 294 and needs just 41 to become the all-time leader in that category.

Noel, who along with Lieb was virtually a unanimous team captain selection by her teammates, will spearhead the Blazer attack. A starter in all 13 games last season, Noel led the Blazers in goals as a freshman with 25 and handed out four assists for 29 points. Her 25 goals list 10th all-time on Hood’s single season chart.

At the center position, Hesterberg will turn to sophomore Lauren Perzan, a returning midfielder who sees the field well and possesses great quickness and strength. Perzan tallied 10 goals and five assists a year ago and ranked third on the team in ground balls with 40.

Other key contributors at the offensive end include sophomore Jen Graham and freshmen Amanda Faulstich and Kelsey Blackwell. In 12 games last season, Graham contributed five goals and two assists in addition to controlling 16 draws. Faulstich comes to Hood from Western High School in Sykesville, Md., and Blackwell was a letterwinner at Gaithersburg High School.

Midfielder Britney Colandreo, who started 10 games last season and racked up six goals and two assists, will use her speed and petite stature to elude defenders in transition. She can also be a force on the offensive end, as evidenced by her four-goal performance against Trinity University last season.

Senior defender Arielle John joins Lieb as the only defensive players with more than one year of collegiate experience to their credit. The native of Trinidad and Tobago played in 12 games as a junior with nine starts and picked up 10 ground balls. Hesterberg has noticed her ability to lock on and play solid defense which will be a valuable asset for the young Blazer backs.

Sophomore Jayme Frost enjoyed a stellar rookie campaign, starting all 13 games and led the Blazers in ground balls with 44. She also scored seven goals on 13 shots attempts and assisted on two others. She could see time at both ends of the field but, like Leib, is a vocal leader on defense.

First-year players Brittany Hurt, Abby Dyjack and Patsy Davis will add quality depth to the Blazer lineup. Hurt and Dyjack both play soccer at Hood while Davis lettered in field hockey in the fall. All three are very athletic, versatile players who are willing to learn the nuances of the college game.

Hesterberg and the Blazers have a tall task in front of them right off the bat, as they travel to defending CAC champion Salisbury University, ranked No. 3 in the Lacrosse Magazine preseason poll. In addition to its challenging league slate, Hood will square off against nonconference foes Bridgewater College, Kean College, Shenandoah University, Hollins University, Lancaster Bible College, Ferrum College and Trinity University.