DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University women's lacrosse program makes its return, beginning a new era in 2018. Under the direction of first-year head coach Kelly Ryan, the Cougars look to make this year a building block for the future.

The Cougars open Tuesday, Feb. 13, at home in a non-conference matchup against Guilford College at 4:30 p.m. on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.

FIVE KEYS TO THE 2018 SEASON

DREAM BECOMES REALITY

For the past year, Ryan has worked on recruiting and training as the Cougars were set to begin play this spring. The team had two preseason scrimmages where it played Belmont Abbey College and Wingate University, both Division II schools. Ryan said the team was excited to get on the field and play different competition. The Cougars got off the first shot, won the first draw control and learned about itself.

"I want what we practice to translate when we step on the field," Ryan said. "If we do that, this team will surprise some people."

 "ONE TEAM"

Ryan wants everyone to be a team in some type of way. With being a young team, the Cougars are not naming captains this year to promote the feeling that everyone is involved in leadership.

"We want everyone to show their voice and give their opinion so that everyone is helping build the foundation," Ryan said. "We have great players in different positions."

TEAM GOALS 

Freshman attacker Elizabeth Peasley said that some team goals are to "never give up, always play with your heart and to always keep going." As a young team the Cougars look to give each game there all so that there isn't a question that they are not here to play. She says that fans can look forward to an exciting team that loves lacrosse and will never give up.

Freshman goalkeeper Breanne Sawall added, "We are improving everyday, whether that be with team chemistry or our stick skills. We are young and we all have a main goal and that is to win and each day I feel like we get closer and closer."

BEGINNING OF A LEGACY

Sawall said the players want to be remembered as the first members of the program in lacrosse's return to Averett, which previously sponsored the sport from 2003-07.

"The team is really excited to begin play on Tuesday," Peasley said. "We just want to show everyone what we have."

GUIDING THE TROOPS

The Cougars are going into its first year of lacrosse under the guidance of Ryan, who was hired in 2016. Ryan came to Averett after serving as an assistant coach at Division II Universtiy of Tampa from 2014-16. She is a native of New York, and played four seasons at Catholic University. Helping her are her two assistants in Jacqui Montague and Erin Murphy, who played for Albright College and Wingate University, respectively. With a knowledgeable coaching staff, they look to lead the team on a path of a success in its first season.