Photo by: Adam Hammerman

Seniors Melissa Maier, Laura Connors and Ashley Harman and redshirt junior Kara Secora will lead the Pioneers as team captains for the 2012 season.

With a squad consisting of a midfielder, a defensive player, a goalkeeper and an attack, the captains aim to lead the team from all perspectives.

“I am excited to see this foursome lead us into the 2012 season,” said head coach Liza Kelly. “They all bring different personalities to the role of captain, where they will both complement and push one another to reach their potential as team leaders.”

The captains were chosen in November through both a team vote and a discussion by the coaching staff.

“We decided what the team really needs this year,” said Kelly. “We really felt that they’re a great balance of what we represent. They are really good people and would do anything for a teammate. They bleed crimson and gold.”

Melissa Maier, originally from Farmingdale, N.Y., is a midfielder for the Pioneers. She has played in every game during her career at Denver and recorded 16 points last season on 13 goals and three assists. During her senior year of high school, Maier received the New York State Championship Sports Award.

“Melissa has moved around a lot over her career, but she plays with a lot of emotion,” said Kelly. “She doesn’t understand the idea of pacing herself when she’s out there.”

Maier began playing lacrosse in third grade after growing up in Long Island, a major lacrosse scene, according to Maier. From the first day, it has been her favorite sport.

“[Lacrosse] is fast-paced,” said Maier. “It’s new and innovative, it’s physical and it’s fun to play.”

Maier, a marketing major with a minor in art, hopes to go into graphic design or advertising after graduation. For now, however, she remains focused on serving as a captain to her teammates and strives to lead by example.

“We’re all really on the same page this year,” said Maier. “We’re excited to be working together and to get the team where we want to go. It’s nice because we’re able to spread out and pick up on different parts of the field.”

Laura Connors, also from the Long Island area, began playing lacrosse around kindergarten. During her career, she has been a major defensive player for the Pioneers, despite numerous injuries.

“Laura has been playing with injuries all four years,” said Kelly. “She’s the emotional leader of the team, the heart, and she always cheers the loudest. She is a natural leader with the ability to change a game or practice with her voice and actions. She is always there for her teammates both on and off the field.”

Connors, a journalism major, was an All-American nominee her senior year of high school. Last season, she helped the team rank 6th in the nation in caused turnovers. Her mental attitude, however, is just as important to the team.

“I’m kind of the go-to person,” said Connors. “People come to me, and it’s rewarding. I’m probably the most vocal of all the captains, keeping the team unified and bonded.”

After having foot surgery last fall on a torn tendon, Connors has worked hard to recover and aims to rejoin her teammates on the field on Feb. 24 at Johns Hopkins.

“We’ve stuck with it four years,” said Connors of her fellow captains. “That says a lot. Ashley is an unbeatable part of our defense, and Kara is such a big part of the attack. Melissa is just so dynamic, and she’ll get the job done.”

Seniors Melissa Maier, Laura Connors and Ashley Harman and redshirt junior Kara Secora will lead the Pioneers as team captains for the 2012 season.

With a squad consisting of a midfielder, a defensive player, a goalkeeper and an attack, the captains aim to lead the team from all perspectives.

“I am excited to see this foursome lead us into the 2012 season,” said head coach Liza Kelly. “They all bring different personalities to the role of captain, where they will both complement and push one another to reach their potential as team leaders.”

The captains were chosen in November through both a team vote and a discussion by the coaching staff.

“We decided what the team really needs this year,” said Kelly. “We really felt that they’re a great balance of what we represent. They are really good people and would do anything for a teammate. They bleed crimson and gold.”

Melissa Maier, originally from Farmingdale, N.Y., is a midfielder for the Pioneers. She has played in every game during her career at Denver and recorded 16 points last season on 13 goals and three assists. During her senior year of high school, Maier received the New York State Championship Sports Award.

“Melissa has moved around a lot over her career, but she plays with a lot of emotion,” said Kelly. “She doesn’t understand the idea of pacing herself when she’s out there.”

Maier began playing lacrosse in third grade after growing up in Long Island, a major lacrosse scene, according to Maier. From the first day, it has been her favorite sport.

“[Lacrosse] is fast-paced,” said Maier. “It’s new and innovative, it’s physical and it’s fun to play.”

Maier, a marketing major with a minor in art, hopes to go into graphic design or advertising after graduation. For now, however, she remains focused on serving as a captain to her teammates and strives to lead by example.

“We’re all really on the same page this year,” said Maier. “We’re excited to be working together and to get the team where we want to go. It’s nice because we’re able to spread out and pick up on different parts of the field.”

Laura Connors, also from the Long Island area, began playing lacrosse around kindergarten. During her career, she has been a major defensive player for the Pioneers, despite numerous injuries.

“Laura has been playing with injuries all four years,” said Kelly. “She’s the emotional leader of the team, the heart, and she always cheers the loudest. She is a natural leader with the ability to change a game or practice with her voice and actions. She is always there for her teammates both on and off the field.”

Connors, a journalism major, was an All-American nominee her senior year of high school. Last season, she helped the team rank 6th in the nation in caused turnovers. Her mental attitude, however, is just as important to the team.

“I’m kind of the go-to person,” said Connors. “People come to me, and it’s rewarding. I’m probably the most vocal of all the captains, keeping the team unified and bonded.”

After having foot surgery last fall on a torn tendon, Connors has worked hard to recover and aims to rejoin her teammates on the field on Feb. 24 at Johns Hopkins.

“We’ve stuck with it four years,” said Connors of her fellow captains. “That says a lot. Ashley is an unbeatable part of our defense, and Kara is such a big part of the attack. Melissa is just so dynamic, and she’ll get the job done.”