The White Mules finished the 2001 season with a successful record of 10-6, and a 20th place national ranking on the IWLCA/BRINE poll. The season began with tough games against the top three teams in the NESCAC, all of which were consistently ranked first, second and fourth in the nation. Despite the early losses, the Mules went on an 8-1 winning streak, which earned them a fourth seed in the first-ever NESCAC tournament. The team played Tufts, the only other team to have beaten them in the regular season, where they won by a goal.

Colby then traveled to Middlebury for the NESCAC tournament, where they played Middlebury, not only the number one seed but also the number one team in the country and the eventual NCAA Division III Champions. Colby played its best game of the season, keeping within one goal at half-time, but was unable to defeat Middlebury. The White Mules then advanced to the semifinals of the ECAC tournament after a 17-6 trouncing of Bates in the quarterfinals of the tournament. After an extremely tough battle with Tufts, with the lead changing hands several times, the team lost as Tufts put a goal in the net with only minutes remaining. Although Colby loses five starting seniors to graduation, including Angela Pappas, an IWLCA Second Team All-American, and Katie Lee, an IWLCA Second Team Regional All-American, an excellent group of underclassmen will return with a strong freshman recruiting class to make 2002 another exciting season.

Marcia Ingraham '02, Shannon Murphy '02 and Whitney Pearce '02 return to lead the squad as captains in 2002. Murphy was forced to miss the entire 2000 season due to a broken arm, but returned in 2001 to help the team with some key goals. She will be looked upon to lead the team in the midfield as an attack wing. Pearce, who will join Murphy in the midfield as a defense wing, was one of the top defending midfielders on the 2001 team. She was at the top of the list in ground balls and interceptions. With the loss of two starting defenders from the 2001 team, Pearce will be needed to help organize a young defensive unit. Ingraham, a low attacker, led the 2001 team in scoring with 36 goals and 16 assists. She was named an IWLCA Second Team All-American after the 2001 season and is a three-time IWLCA Regional All-American. The White Mules will be looking to Ingraham and her blistering shot to get the offense going.

Anna Schierberl Scherr '03 and Mary Zito '02 will be at the helm in the goal cage. Schierberl Scherr will return as an IWLCA Third Team All-American. At .614, Schierberl Scherr holds one of the best save percentages in the country. In addition, she broke the Colby record for most saves in a season compiling 208 for 2001 the season.

With the loss of two of its three line defenders, the Mules will look to Katie Trainor '03, a two-year starter and team leader in caused turnovers, to assist Pearce and Schierberl Scherr in the defensive end. Joining her on defense will be Lauren Rodier '02, Meredith Pfaff '03 and Kate Weiler '04. All four should be quite a force in the backfield, using their strong defensive positioning and checking skills to keep the ball out.

The mid-field remains nearly intact, though the team will miss four-year starter Katie Lee. Returning starters Lauren Gremelspacher '03 and Amanda Epstein '03 will join Pearce and Murphy in leading the transition through the midfield. Both are equally strong at both ends of the field and have played key roles in the success of the team. Vying for the remaining spots are Kate Wheeler '04, Zoe Hallowell '04 and Becca Avrutin '04. All three are threats on offense, racking up 25 goals between them in 2001.

Though the White Mules will lose two starting homes, the group of returnees is extremely talented. Ally King '03, a 2001 IWLCA Second Team Regional All-American and the second leading scorer in 2001, will return with Ingraham to set up the offense. King has one of the most precise shots and best stickwork on the team. Rounding out the offense will be Ashley Martin '03, Kate Liggio '03 and Cara Dionisi '04, each of whom has contributed substantially when on the field. With the combination of experience, returning players, and stellar incoming first-year students, the White Mules are fired up and ready to go in 2002.