NORTH ANDOVER — The 2017 season was a rebuilding campaign for Peabody native Annette Ruggiero and the Merrimack women’s lacrosse team.
Under a new coach in Julie Duffy, the Warriors struggled to compete and won just four of their 17 games. Merrimack went 2-11 against Northeast 10 Conference opponents, ending the season on a three-game losing streak.
But with a new season underway, hope springs eternal for Ruggiero and the Warriors. Now a senior, Ruggiero has seen major improvements in this season’s team when compared to 2017. The results are showing as Merrimack is 4-3 to start the 2018 season, already matching last spring’s win total.
“It’s an awesome start to the season,” Ruggiero, a midfielder, said. “It’s awesome to see and so exciting. We hung in there with some of the best teams in the country. We lost two of those games by six (goals) but we showed we can hang with them. That boosts our confidence. If we keep working hard, we’ll get wins out of those games.”
With the challenge of adjusting to a new coach out of the way, the expectations are clear for the Warriors. Duffy’s more familiar with the team in her second season and the players, in turn, are more familiar with her coaching style. Getting that hurdle out of the way has allowed the Warriors to flourish in the early going of this season.
“Last year was more of a building year,” Ruggiero said. “Having a new coach was more of a year where we got to know her and her playing style. It was a stepping stone year. This year, we know what to expect. We know what to do and now it’s about making things happen. We just have to follow in Coach Duffy’s lead.”
A Bishop Fenwick alum, Ruggiero played four years of varsity lacrosse as a midfielder for the Crusaders. She was a Catholic Central League all-star as a junior and captained Fenwick during her senior season. Ruggiero’s currently in her second season as a team captain at Merrimack.
“My goal as one of the captains is to leave this team knowing that we’re moving in the right direction,” Ruggiero said. “Last year, as a stepping stone year, it was just about working hard on a daily basis and taking good steps in the right direction. This year, we’re seeing those steps come to fruition. We just have to work hard each day and know that we’re moving in the right direction.
“Being a senior, it’s my last year here at Merrimack,” Ruggiero added. “A light bulb has gone off and everyone sees we can hang with the best teams in the conference. I’m going to push my teammates and my teammates will push me. Hopefully the underclassmen will do the same after I graduate.”
This season, Ruggiero has scored seven goals and dished two assists. She scored two goals in an 18-10 win over Stonehill on March 6. Earlier this week, Ruggiero scored a goal and distributed an assist in a 14-7 victory over Southern New Hampshire.
In addition to gaining familiarity with Duffy’s coaching style, Ruggiero has noticed key strides in communication and team confidence.
“Last year we struggled a bit in communication on the field and confidence,” Ruggiero said. “The difference there from last season to this season is we talk a lot more. We know we’re a great team and we’re keeping up with the best teams in the conference. We’ve built up our confidence. We play each game knowing we’re a great team and we have that confidence to push us further.”
With everyone on the same page, the Warriors feel positive as the season progresses. Ruggiero believes everything’s coming together at Merrimack in good timing.
“We have a lot of great players on every end of the field. Our defense is killing it, our middies our killing it, our attackers are playing great. We have a great group of girls. We’re all on the same page. Coach Duffy has really molded that to our team this year. It’s great to know that all our players want the same outcome and we all have each other’s backs.”
With academics and an internship, in addition to her commitment to lacrosse, Ruggiero keeps a busy schedule. She’s currently an intern at Doc Wayne, a non-profit organization in Boston.
“Being a four-year athlete, I’ve always had a schedule that includes practice, school, gym, everything,” Ruggiero, a marketing major, said. “Even though I have an internship now, it’s still sort of how it has always been. I’ve enjoyed it. I think it gives me a taste of the real world. I think it’s very beneficial for me.”
Ruggiero and the Warriors host No. 8-ranked New Haven this afternoon (1) at Merrimack Stadium.