Cambridge, Mass- The Lesley University Softball team released their 2018 campaign in early January.  The Lynx are coming off the 2017 season which saw them claim their seventh NECC Championship and earn a trip the NCAA Regional tournament.  Under first year head coach Heather Ross the team posted a 22-19 overall record (15-3 NECC), and saw 7 players get recognized on All-Conference teams, including 1 to the NFCA All-Region team. The season came to a close in the Babson regional after falling to host Babson College 4-0, and Framingham State 4-2.

"We have a completely different make up then we did last year with only 6 returners and 7 new players.  Every player brings something valuable to our team and it was exciting to see them come together on and off the field towards the end of the fall," said head coach Heather Ross.  "Our coaching staff has been counting down the days until we can get back to work towards our goals we've set."

The young Lynx squad has two seniors, two juniors, and two sophomores who were apart of the 2017 NECC Championship team, all playing important roles. Of the returners are three NECC All Conferene First Team selections in seniors Theresa Pereira and Courtney Goggin, and junior Jordan Raab, one NECC All Conference Second Team in sophomore Allyson Murphy, and an NECC Championship Tournament selection in junior Abby Henderson.  "We are going to rely on our 2 seniors and 2 juniors who have been in the championship stage twice and understand the grind it takes to get there.  Theresa, Courtney, Abby, and Jordan each bring a different aspect of leadership to keep the team up to the stadards we've set together."

The Lynx are changing their annual spring break trip and will compete in the Fastpitch Dreams tournament in North Myrtle Beach, SC March 8-15 for the first time.  During the 8 game stretch Lesley will face a mix of teams from the Northeast and Midwest.  "The teams we face will be a good challenge for us and set the tone for conference play. We talk a lot about only competing against ourselves and not the opponent and this trip will allow us to really buy into that mentality," says Ross.

Ross added 7 newcomers to the squad and says they are ready to fill some big roles on the team right away. "The new players add athleticism and versatility to our team allowing us to move people around from game to game when needed.  We are looking forward to seeing how everything starts fitting together once we get back to practice at the end of January," concluded Ross on the new player's projected roles. 

Lesley Softball kicks off their eight game stretch on March 10 against Saint Joseph's College (CT).  They open up NECC Conference play on March 24 when the travel to Elms College.