Huntingdon women’s lacrosse set for season No. 2

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon women's lacrosse team set a high standard during its first season.

Coming off their inaugural season with an 8-6 record, the Lady Hawks are looking for more this season under first-year head coach Morgan Cross.

"We're leaps and bounds ahead of where we were this time last year," said Cross, who served as an assistant coach last season. "With a year under our belts and a year to grow, there is a different maturity level this year.

"We're still a very young team, but we have big goals. We want to build off of last year, have another winning season and compete in the conference."

This will be Huntingdon's first season as a member of the USA South Athletic Conference. The Lady Hawks were picked fifth in the preseason conference poll. Huntingdon was 3-3 against USA South teams in 2013.

"We're stoked to be part of a conference," Cross said. "Last year, it was our first year and every game was important for us. Every game is important again this year, but being part of a conference gives us something extra to play for."

With 14 returning players and five newcomers, Cross said she has been impressed with her team's development during the preseason.

"The preseason has been good. Like every year, we've had our good days and bad days, but I think we've had more good than bad in the preseason," Cross said. "I think we're coming together nicely as a unit.

"I can't single out particular players right now because so many of them have performed well the past few weeks. There are several returning players who have continued to improve and there are freshmen who have really stepped up. Collectively, as a team we have improved from top to bottom."

Huntingdon opens the season at home on Sunday against Millsaps at 2 p.m.