PHILADELPHIA (3/11/04)-- Last season, the Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse team was on the brink of a near .500 season. A defensive stop here, a clutch goal there and the Hawks' 4-11 season easily could have been an 11-4 campaign. Head coach Denise Szatkowski is back for her sixth season at the helm and hopes that a new year will bring an Atlantic 10 Tournament berth for the first time since 2001. Senior Kristin Teklinsky, one of the league's most dangerous offensive weapons, returns for her final year on Hawk Hill. The attacker tied for the team lead with 36 points (26 goals, 10 assists) and has the chance to finish her career in the top three in career goals, assists and points if she can duplicate her 2003 season. After tearing her ACL in the team's final game last spring, Teklinsky missed all of the fall season and hopes to be at 100% by SJU's season opener versus Marist. Joining Teklinsky on the offensive end is a young group that is eager to make their mark on the Finnesey Field turf. Sophomore Kerry O'Connell had a successful rookie season, scoring 14 goals and adding seven assists for 21 points, placing her fourth on the team. Jenny Egan, who was forced to redshirt last year with a knee injury, was a highly touted recruit who can step in immediately on the front line. Another medical redshirt, Kathleen Morley, can contribute on the offensive end as well. Sophomore Anastasia Schafer and a slew of rookies will also see time at attack. A veteran defense returns all but one starter and will be able to keep SJU in the majority of its contests. Junior Courtney Huff is back in between the pipes after posting an Atlantic 10 best 8.24 goals against average in her first full season on the lacrosse field. Along with a patient offensive strategy, Huff helped the Hawks establish a program record with a 8.21 GAA. In front of Huff will be senior captain Megan Gresh, senior Jen Enoch, and junior Michelle Van Wert. Gresh, who can pack a punch offensively as displayed by last year's game-winning goal over American with 40 seconds left, is the unquestioned leader of a fairly young team. Enoch is another capable defender that is among the all-time leaders in groundballs at Saint Joseph's and combines with Van Wert for one of the league's top backlines. Junior Bridget Carney also figures to be in the mix for playing time. Senior Amie Schmoltze anchors the all important midfield and hopes to return to her freshman form in which she scored 23 points in helping St. Joe's to the A-10 Championships. Sophomore Megan Cheverie and several freshman will fill out a young midfield. SJU graduated two of its three leading scorers in Kelly Butler and Brett Dymarczyk and two experienced veterans in Kat Burke and Lauren Foley. A deep recruiting class should be able to step in immediately and help the Hawks back to the postseason in 2004.