When opposing teams play the Syracuse women’s lacrosse team, they prepare for one of the top scoring attacks in the country. Senior Leigh-Ann Zimmer and junior Monica Joines, both on the Tewaaraton Award watch list this season, form one of the best 1-2 punches in the country.

For the third straight year, though, senior Danielle Lillis has forced teams to notice her as the third weapon in a knockout combo. She is on pace to set a personal best in points this season and is one goal away from tying Kim Wayne for seventh all time in scoring for SU.

Her stats (16 goals, 2 assists) don’t reflect her value off the field, though.

‘She’s been such a great leader this year,’ SU head coach Lisa Miller said. ‘Just in terms of her ability to connect with the old and the young — she’s sort of bridged the gap. She makes the freshmen comfortable.’

Lillis will lead the No. 11 Orangewomen (6-2, 2-1 Big East) this weekend in a conference matchup with Virginia Tech (5-4, 2-2) at 2 p.m. Friday at the Carrier Dome. On Easter Sunday, No. 12 Dartmouth will come to the Dome for another 2 p.m. game.

Lillis and the Orangewomen will be ready to head indoors. They have been practicing all week outside at Coyne Field because spring football practice has been in the Dome.

‘Even in practice when we’re not practicing well,’ Miller said. ‘Danielle is the first one to step up and say, ‘No, do it right,’ or, ‘This is what we have to do.’ She’s been a model senior this year.’

Though Zimmer (39 points) and Joines (29 points) have grabbed all the attention this season, Lillis has just as much talent, Miller said. All three have taken turns lighting up the score sheet.

‘If you watch the game from a coach’s perspective, you know that you have to worry about Danielle,’ Miller said. ‘Danielle is actually the best shooter of the three, she just doesn’t go (to the net) as much as they do.

‘They’re very different. Leigh-Ann is more quiet and she teaches behind the scenes. Monica asserts herself as a player. And Danielle is recognizing critical moments.’

After three years with the team, Lillis has become more vocal with the underclassmen. Freshman midfielder Jill DePetris has succeeded thanks in part to Lillis’ mentoring. She has started all eight games and is tied for third on the team in points with Lillis.

‘Leigh-Ann and Danielle have definitely taken me under their wing,’ DePetris said. ‘Danielle has been very supportive. She always makes everyone laugh and helps everyone focus when things get tough.’

The Orangewomen’s game on Sunday against Dartmouth will pit assistant coach Amy Zimmer against her former team and her younger sister, Kristen, a sophomore midfielder who’s tied for fifth on the team with 10 points this season.

Amy was a four-year starter for the Big Green and is third all time on its career assists list with 47. During her career, Dartmouth won four straight Ivy League Championships and advanced to the 1998 NCAA Final Four. She earned All-Ivy League honors all four years.

Miller believes the Orangewomen are starting to reach their peak level.

‘We still have a few things to work on,’ Miller said. ‘But we’re getting better as time goes o

Published on April 7, 2004 at 12:00 pm