EAST STROUDSBURG – East Stroudsburg University head women's lacrosse coach Xeni Barakos-Yoder has announced her team captains for the 2019 season, with senior TJ Jefferis, senior Emma Rufolo and junior Hana Cicerelle set to lead the Warriors on and off the field.

ESU is coming off the two most-successful years in program history, with a school-record 17 wins and a PSAC championship in 2017 followed by an Atlantic Region title and Division II Final Four berth last spring. The Warriors are 44-12 in the past three seasons under Barakos-Yoder.

This year's captains have played an instrumental part in that success, with the trio combining for 100 goals, 64 assists, 128 ground balls, 64 caused turnovers and 55 draw controls last season alone.

Jefferis, a third team All-PSAC selection in 2017, totaled 19 goals and ranked second on the Warriors with 30 assists last spring. She recorded her 100th career point during a one-goal, six-assist performance against Edinboro on March 25, and she contributed the game-winning goal in ESU's 16-14 win over previously-unbeaten West Chester in the Atlantic Region title game.

"I have high expectations for the team," Jefferis said. "I am ready to help push my teammates past our limits that we have set so far. I am beyond excited going into my senior season, and I am eager to see what the future holds. This family is everything, and nothing would be better than to end my college athletic career with another successful season."

Rufolo, a third team All-America selection last season and the PSAC Athlete of the Year in 2017, recorded a team-high 68 ground balls last spring. She also added 35 goals, 11 assists, 32 caused turnovers and 36 draw controls, contributing across the stat sheet on a regular basis. She had at least one point in 17 of 19 games for the Warriors.

"Going into this season we have a lot of pressure to be great," Rufolo said. "We made it to the Final Four last year, and every year we continue to get better. We refuse to be complacent. Instead, we work harder than ever to reach our goals. I look at my team and know that we can achieve greatness."

Cicerelle enjoyed a breakout season in 2018, earning first team All-Region and third team All-PSAC honors after ranking second on the team with 69 points (46 G, 23 A). She totaled four goals and four assists in a key 19-14 regular season win over Mercyhurst, and she added a team-high seven points (3 G, 4 A) in the Atlantic Region title game against West Chester.

"It is such an honor to be selected as a captain for this team," Cicerelle said. "I cannot wait to push myself and my teammates to become better than we have ever been. I am hungry and want more this season, and I hope that attitude spreads to the entire team. I am determined to build a family that can overcome any challenge thrown our way."

The Warriors' 2019 season is scheduled to begin with a 2:30 p.m. contest at Georgian Court on Feb. 28. Their first game at Whitenight Field will be on Thursday, March 7 against Chestnut Hill.