Jan. 25, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Senior Jenny Granger and junior Margaret Smith have been named team co-captains for the University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team, head coach Christine Halfpenny announced this week.
“Both players have an incredible discipline in their work ethic and daily training,” said Halfpenny. “They have earned the trust and respect from their peers by doing the things they need to do both on and off the field to be successful.”
Smith returns for her third campaign with the Irish after earning third team IWLCA All-America honors and first team all-BIG EAST and IWLCA West/Midwest all-region accolades in 2012. She led the team in draw controls (47) and finished second in ground balls (37) and caused turnovers (31).
“Margaret is coming off an incredible season where she proved herself to be an on the field leader by leading by example. This year she is pushing herself out of her comfort zone by really communicating on the field and bringing the enthusiasm and energy that we are looking for.”
Granger is back in the Notre Dame blue and gold after a junior year that saw her score 20 goals, dish out 12 assists, scoop up 14 ground balls and 10 draw controls and force eight turnovers.
“Jenny is playing with that sense of urgency that this is her final season with the team,” said Halfpenny. “She’s doing a great job of pushing herself to continue to develop as a player. She continues to improve her communication skills and her teammates see her as someone that will listen. We see her as a great communicator on offense.
“The two of them have such a great relationship that they will give us a great one-two punch on the offensive and defensive ends of the field, said Halfpenny. “We are thrilled that they’ll be leading the group of 31 on and off the field this year.”
Halfpenny also announced a six-member leadership council that will provide great support to the captains. These members include seniors Ellie Hilling, Jaimie Morrison and Emily Conner, junior Kaitlyn Brosco and sophomores Shauna Pugliese and Barbara Sullivan.
“We are thrilled about the support that the leadership council will provide the two captains,” said Halfpenny. “Each of these individuals is a part of a non-lacrosse club where they are a leader such as SAAC or the Rosenthal Leadership Academy, which will help them provide great prospective to the team. They are driven individuals and are really putting the team first. Jenny and Margaret were very excited to hear the leadership council would be there to support them right out of the gate.”
On the heels of her popular summer blog “Lax In The City,” that was found on Irish UNDerground, Conner will now blog during the entire 2013 season. The Alexandria, Va., native will provide a weekly update on the preseason and also get perspectives from teammates.
“Emily’s blog will really give fans a chance to get that inside look at what Notre Dame women’s lacrosse is all about. She’ll basically be our color analyst and will help people get a better understanding of what our character and personality is all about. Emily is outstanding at that. Throughout the summer blog she did a great job of letting everyone in on who she is, and she has been backing it up all year so we are excited to have that continue.”
Notre Dame kicks off the 2013 season Feb. 16 in Palo Alto, Calif., for a matchup with the Stanford Cardinal.
2013 Co-Captains
Jenny Granger – Senior – Midfield
Margaret Smith – Junior – Midfield/Defense
2013 Leadership Council
Ellie Hilling – Senior – Goalkeeper
Jaimie Morrison – Senior – Attack
Emily Conner – Senior – Defense
Kaitlyn Brosco – Junior – Attack
Shauna Pugliese – Sophomore – Midfield
Barbara Sullivan – Sophomore – Defense
2012-13 Rosenthal Leadership Academy Participants
Kaitlyn Brosco
Jenny Granger
Ellie Hilling
Shauna Pugliese
Margaret Smith
Barbara Sullivan
2012-13 Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC)
Jaimie Morrison
Molly Shawhan
2013 Team Blogger
Emily Conner
–ND–