Four Named Captains for USM Women's Lacrosse

USM women's lacrosse captains for 2018 are (l to r) Aliza Jordan, Colleen Fleming, Mira Kuni and Hala Van Nostrand (file photos by Jason Johns).

GORHAM, Maine -- Rookie women's lacrosse head coach Ashley Durepo announced recently that four juniors - midfielder Colleen Fleming (South Portland, Maine), midfielder Aliza Jordan (Gorham, Maine), defender Mira Kuni (Waterboro, Maine/Massabesic) and goalie Hala Van Nostrand (Granby, Conn.) - will serve as captains for the 2018 University of Southern Maine women's lacrosse team.

            The Huskies open their 16-game 2018 schedule this Saturday (12:00 p.m.) hosting the University of New England at Hannaford Field.

            The four will lead a youthful USM squad that has no seniors among the 21 players on the roster.  Fleming and Kuni are beginning their third season with the program while Jordan and Van Nostrand are in their second campaign.  Durepo has 12 players returning from last season's team that finished 7-9 overall and 1-5 in Little East Conference play (sixth place).

            "We are very excited to have this group of four players serve as team captains for the 2018 season," commented Durepo. "We believe they have the experience, knowledge, and maturity necessary to lead our young squad.  In my time here, they have each demonstrated leadership qualities that are essential in a good captain and I have no doubt they will lead us in achieving our goals for the 2018 campaign."

            Jordan is the Huskies' top returning scorer after tallying 51 points on 36 goals and 15 assists in her first season with the program after transferring from Merrimack College.  Jordan also scooped up 41 ground balls, had 33 draw controls, and caused 23 opposition turnovers.

            Fleming contributed 10 goals and four assists in 16 games to go along with 26 ground balls, 29 draw controls and 10 caused turnovers.

            Expected to lead the young defensive corps in front of Van Nostrand this season, Kuni follows in the footsteps of her older sister, Kaelyn, who was a captain the last two years.  The younger Kuni had 13 grounds balls and seven caused turnovers in 15 games last season.  Van Nostrand compiled a 5-9 record with a 12.77 goals against average, 93 saves, and a .381 save percentage.

            USM will play six non-conference games in March before opening its Little East Conference schedule hosting Eastern Connecticut State University on March 30.