| The 1997 season started out on a promishing note in March with an impressive 20-7 victory over Plymouth State College. Midfielder Tracy Sadowski served notice in that game that she was going to be a force to be reckoned with in her sophomore season. She scored a school single game record nine goals in the victory.
The Spring Break trip to Florida began to point out, however, that the team's relative youth might be a problem. The Engineers suited up only two seniors all season, and losses to Skidmore College and the University of California at San Diego showed the squad's inexperience. A victory over SUNY Fredonia closed the trip on an up beat. The remainder of the season was a struggle, as the Engineers couldn't generate the offense needed to compete in the New England Women's 8. An 11-10 vitory over Elms College was the only other win the team could manage. MIT scored in double figures in only one other game. Sadowski led the team in scoring with 34 goals and 4 assists, and was named to the NEW 8 All-Conference team. Maddy Burke, a sophomore attack (29 goals, 2 assists), and Sadowski's twin sister Connie (18,3) were the only other players to amass 20 points for the season. Senior defense player Meg Golden was named the team's most valuable player. With all the yong players forced into action in 1997, the 1998 team looks to be the one of the most experienced in the seven years of lacrosse as a varsity sport at MIT. |