May 5, 2009

by Andy Krauss, Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online

Don't bother asking Colgate head coach Heather Bliss who she's going to start in goal Sunday for the Raiders' NCAA Division I women's lacrosse tournament first-round game at powerhouse Maryland. Bliss said she won't know until Saturday. Even if she does, she's won't tip her hand.

Why would Bliss let on who she's starting? Giving the sharp-shooting Terps such an early advantage would just be plain silly. Bliss has had an advantage most of this season, being able to choose between two spectacular goalkeepers.

One is the sage veteran senior that had started the previous two seasons, earning a spot on the 2008 All-Patriot League Tournament team en route to a conference championship and spot in the NCAA tournament.

The other is the ambitious freshman, who was a high school All-American from the talent-rich suburbs of Maryland.

You would expect a rivalry between the two ripe enough for a bad after-school special. For Bliss and the Raiders, it has instead become the storyline for a 2009 Patriot League championship and a second straight NCAA tournament appearance.

Sara Drexler came into 2009 as the incumbent goalkeeper, aware that challenger Christina Roa had high accolades and even higher promise. But she welcomed Roa with open arms.

"I was a little intimidated by Sara at first," said Roa. "She had already made her mark on Colgate lacrosse. We became very fast friends, though. Off the field, she's now the first person I go to for advice, whether it be about lacrosse, school, boys, whatever."

For the rest of the article by Andy Krauss, click here.