Moon Township, Pa. – As the fall season approaches, the Robert Morris University women's lacrosse team has announced that Brittany Byerly, Kristi Marks, Haley Schemm and Kristin Yoviene will serve as captains for the academic year.

Marks, Schemm and Yoviene are seniors, while Byerly is a junior. The four captains were chosen last spring by their teammates, including the departing seniors from the 2014 squad.

"These four are strong leaders who bring different leadership styles to the table," said head coach Katy Phillips.

Marks, a defender, earned All-Northeast Conference Second Team honors last season, during which she led the Colonials in ground-ball recoveries and forced turnovers. The native of Apex, N.C., ranked fifth in the NEC with 2.31 ground balls per game, a rate that also put her in the top 50 in NCAA Division I.

 

"It's an honor to be chosen as one of the captains this season," said Marks, who also made the 2014 IWLCA national Honor Roll for her classwork. "It shows that my teammates respect the work I've put in over the past three years. I'm confident in the team's ability to succeed through any adversity.

"I believe in leading by example. We as captains can't expect our teammates to complete certain tasks we cannot or would not do ourselves. Caring for the success of the team means making the necessary sacrifices to put the team's needs before your own."

Schemm, also a defender, started all 17 games for the Colonials in 2014, finishing second on the team in forced turnovers and seventh in ground balls. Prior to attending Robert Morris, she earned all-WPIAL and all-conference honors while competing for Bethel Park High School.

"I can't wait to help motivate our team to be better players on and off the field," Schemm said. "Having four captains can work to our benefit because we all have different traits to offer.

"I see myself as the 'motivator,' as my goal is to make this year one to remember. I'm so thankful to have such awesome teammates to play with in my senior year. I have no doubt that we will succeed in winning the NEC championship this year."

 

Like Marks, midfielder Yoviene made the All-NEC Second Team last spring in addition to earning a spot on the IWLCA Honor Roll. A product of Easton, Md., she finished second on the Colonials in goals (29) and points (43) last spring, giving her 103 career points. In 2014, she led RMU in shots and shots on target and was named NEC Player of the Week twice.

"I'm thankful for my teammates," Yoviene said. "It's a privilege knowing that they chose me to be one of their leaders this season. It's a great feeling and I'm glad they trust me to be in this position.

"On the field, I think that I have a lot to offer in terms of my knowledge of the game. Off the field, holding each other accountable for our actions, academically and socially, will be important. Our goal remains the same, and that's to win an NEC championship. This year is our year."

Byerly, who grew up in Wexford, Pa., and attended Pine-Richland, was off to a great start last spring - 17 goals in five games - before suffering a season-ending injury. The 2013 All-NEC First Team honoree hopes to put her sideline observations to use this season.

"I've had the opportunity to see the game from two different views," Byerly said. "Things changed when I got injured. Although it was hard at first, I am actually thankful for the injury because it gave me a perspective of the game from the coach's point of view.

"In that sense, I want to be a teacher. As cheesy as that may sound, I want to be a good resource for people to ask questions, not only about lacrosse, but also school or anything else. I came (to RMU) with the mentality of making a difference right from the get-go. I feel like I can continue to help lead the team toward big things while I am captain."

After finishing 11-6 in the spring and advancing to the Northeast Conference (NEC) semifinals, the Colonials will be active this fall. 

On Sunday, Sept. 28, RMU hosts the Pittsburgh Lacrosse 4 Hope event, as several Division I and II teams come to Moon Township to compete while raising money for Huntington's Disease research. In October, there will be an alumni game on the 4th and the Colonial Classic 7 v 7 tournament on the 26th.

Additionally, the Colonials are conducting three Fall Clinic Days in the upcoming weeks, set for Sept. 14, Sept. 27 and Oct. 25. For detailed information on how to register for any and all events, email wlacrosse@rmu.edu.

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