Dover, Del. (Feb. 15. 2020) --- The 2020 edition of the Delaware State women's lacrosse team makes its debut with a Saturday clash against Lafayette.
The Hornets are looking for a turnaround in fortunes under the leadership of new head coach Pam Jenkins.
Jenkins, off a three-year stint as head coach at NCAA Div. II Notre Dame College in Indiana, was hired by Delaware State last summer in hopes of building the team into a competitive program in the Southern Conference.
The Hornets were just 1-11 overall (0-6 Southern) in 2019 and have just eight wins in the team's first seven seasons (8-75).
One change in the program since Jenkins' arrival is the number of players on the Hornets' roster. There are 25 players on the teams' 2020 preseason roster, compared to around 15 that competed most of last season.
 "We are fortunate to have increased our roster size, but it's the attitude of the players that's most important," said Jenkins.  "The players have bought into our approach thus far and are really working hard to improve every day.  We have challenged each player to get better every day and to hold themselves and their teammates accountable."
With about half of the 2020 Hornets new to the team, the new head coach is focusing a great deal of attention on developing team chemistry.
"Getting everyone familiar with our system and their roles is an ongoing process," Jenkins said. "It starts with communication and developing good habits each day."
The Hornets return three of their top four scorers from last season, including midfielder Emmy McGill (so.), who was second on the team with 10 goals and 11 points as a true freshman in 2019.
Middie Tamrin Swann (jr.) is back this season after tallying eight goals and nine points, to rank third on the Hornets in each category, last season.
Defenders Nicole Burch (sr.), Mia Moseley (so.) and Aniya Aiken (so.), along with midfielder Jasmine West (sr.) are other 2019 multi-goal scorers on this year's squad.
Emily Campanelli (so.), Raven Mandela-James (jr.),   Saphire Small (jr.), Dachelle Johnson (jr.), Rebecaa Green (jr.) and Brian Fynes (so.) are other returning players expected to contribute this season.
As for the goalies, returner Allie St. (so.) and newcomer Moe Brown (fr.) are expected to handle the duties.
The 2020 Hornets also a promising crop of new position players.
"We're hoping for a big boost from our newcomers this season," said Jenkins. "Several are expected to step in and contribute right away. The additional depth should also allow us to be more competitive in games."
The Hornets will play nine home games at Alumni Stadium this season, including seven of the last nine contests.
Delaware State will visit Howard on Sun. Mar. 1 in Washington, D.C. DSU posted it lone 2019 win against Howard at Alumni Stadium.