DENVER – Senior Kelly O'Connell (Baltimore, Md.) and junior Natasha Davies (Annapolis, Md.) will serve as captains of the 2008 University of Denver women's lacrosse team, head coach Liza Kelly announced today.

"Kelly and Tash form the foundation of our leadership and our defense," Kelly said about the Pioneer defenders. "They are both well respected by their teammates, and they make a great leadership combination."

O'Connell was named Division I All-Regional Second Team for the West/Midwest region in both 2006 and 2007, and has been named to the All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Team in each of her three seasons. O'Connell had one goal and one assist last season, while ranking 78th in the NCAA with 2.0 draw controls per game.

"Kelly is one of the hardest workers on our team," Kelly said. "She pushes herself to perform at her highest level every day and in turn makes her teammates better."

Davies was selected to the All-MPSF Team in 2007 after finishing the season ranked 22nd in the NCAA with 2.84 ground balls per game and 59th with 1.32 caused turnovers, both of which led DU.

"Tash uses both her voice and her actions to lead the Pioneers," Kelly said. "She is demanding of herself and her teammates."

The Pioneers return 19 players from the 2007 team, which went 16-3-0 and was ranked as high as No. 14 in the nation.

Denver opens the 2008 season on the road against Duke and North Carolina before beginning the home schedule at Peter Barton Stadium against Stony Brook on Feb. 22.

2007-12-04