WASHINGTON - Howard University women's lacrosse head coach Karen Healy-Silcott understands that the success of the 2023 season will be measured in a variety of tangible and important ways to her program.

"As a team we have a lot of different benchmarks to measure success," Healy-Silcott said. "We set individual and team goals for each week of practice, each game and even each quarter. When we reach one of those goals, we can raise the bar and chase the next level."

The Lady Bison enjoyed a strong fall season, which was critical in developing the chemistry and confidence needed to navigate the upcoming season. One thing for certain is Howard will be fun and exciting to watch.

"I hope to set the tone for a new brand of Howard lacrosse," Healy-Silcott said. "The combination of having better support and additional coaches has made a huge impact on our program. We showed great potential during our fall scrimmages, and I expect that we will finally be rewarded for all the hard work that the girls and staff are putting in."

"Last year, we finished the season with regrets. I am excited because the upperclassmen are really determined to not make those same mistakes," Healy-Silcott added. "We already saw vast improvement during our fall ball scrimmages and we also have a drastically different make up to the team which our opponents will have to spend time figuring out. I am excited because we are going into this season more prepared than ever."  

Howard has several key returnees who made a significant impact last season. 

Senior midfielder Quai Skeete-Ridley led Howard with 33 points and 28 goals. She is also Howard's top draw taker. Her size and speed are hard to contain. She also typically gets marked by the opponent's top defender. Skeet-Ridley had eight multi-goal scoring games, including a season-high five against Longwood.

Junior midfielder/attacker Mikayla Mack had nine goals last year. 

Senior defender Andrea "Drea" Fievre provides leadership and will anchor the Lady Bison's defense. According to Healy-Silcott, Fievre is Howard's loudest and most encouraging teammate. She is quick and aggressive on the ball, and not scared to take risks.  

Senior attack Heidi Chicas, senior midfielder Madison Joines, junior defender Taylor Worsham, and sophomore goalkeeper Anya Waller are all returning starters for the Bison.

"Returning all-rookie team sophomore goalie Anya Waller and junior goalie Jada Auletta are really showing up at practice and both will get playing time this season," Healy-Silcott said. "The team's trust in both of them is quite apparent and we will be able to strategize who we play based on the opponent."  

The Lady Bison will be bolstered by some talented newcomers. Two of them could be special by the time their careers are finished. Freshman Mia "Mitchy" Wright will help the Howard defense and freshman Kamryn "Chase" Coleman will add to the Howard offense

"Kamryn is so fast and shifty on attack and teams will have a hard time shutting her down," Healy-Silcott said. "She is fierce on the re-defend after turnovers and we are excited to see what she can do this year. Mia has a confidence on defense that resembles that of a senior. She has great game IQ and we will rely on her for some of the specialty positions as defender."

Howard will be tested by a solid schedule that will prepare it for Northeast Conference (NEC) competition. The NEC has two new programs this season in Stonehill and Fairleigh Dickinson. Howard has six home contests and another at American. 

Some key dates for Howard include its season opener against Delaware State on Sat. Feb. 11 in Chapel Hill, N.C., its home opener against Akron on Friday, Feb. 17, and the start of a three-game California trip against UC Davis on Tuesday, March 7. That impactful three-game trip also includes contests against California on Thursday, March 9, and San Diego State on Sunday, March 12. It will be a homecoming trip for freshman midfielder Tea Vasquez, who is from Oakland.

The trip to California serves a bigger purpose for the Bison program. It's another way to expose the Howard brand to a west coast audience and of course, help with recruiting while playing quality competition to prepare for NEC play.

"We get recruiting emails from players all over the country so it will be fantastic for Howard Lacrosse to represent in new areas," Healy-Silcott said. "We are setting new standards for ourselves, and this year I believe we will make our true mark on minority players all over the country. We are getting better because of the growing support we are getting. Our team is working hard and taking pride in what we represent."