The honeymoon period is over for the University of Oregon women's lacrosse team. Ready or not, after a quick taste of competition during the fall, the 25 student-athletes assembled will be playing for real in February and begin practice today (Jan. 18). But these are not lame Ducks. These are Ducks brought here by first-year coach Jen Larsen to construct a foundation of excellence as the first Division I lacrosse team in the Northwest.

"We will establish our foundation with an inexperienced squad, but with a group that's very passionate and energetic about their personal performance and for their team," said Larsen, hired in July 2003 to lead Oregon's 18th intercollegiate sport. "This fall they worked tremendously hard to figure out what it takes to find success on the field with conditioning, with lifting, with pace of play. They're learning a brand-new style, the Division I style. We'll continue to work on these things during the four weeks that we have before our season-opener and prepare for the level of play we'll be introduced to in our conference."

Ah, the season-opener. Mark Feb. 12 on your calendars as Oregon will play host to Stanford at Pap� Field.

The Ducks, who don't have one player with varsity experience, feature a roster made up of more Maryland natives (nine) than anywhere else in the U.S. There also are natives from Colorado, California and Oregon, some of who competed for the UO club team the last few years. Larsen is pleased with the progress of her student-athletes, also knowing there truly is nowhere to go but up.

"The team definitely acted on their talk about how passionate and excited they are to make this program successful," said Larsen, a two-time All-American at Virginia in the mid-1990s. "They are willing to put in anything and everything that they need. Its been nice as a coach to have athletes who are motivated to do more."

For lacrosse newbies, the 12 positional players on the field are made up of defenders, midfielders, attackers and, of course, a goalkeeper -- similar to ice hockey. Larsen, certainly, is stressing versatility in her system.

"Every team member will have an understanding of the intricacies of both the offense and defense knowing the dynamics of both ends will create players who are versatile," she said.

Thus far, Larsen has been impressed with Oregon's midfield play.

"We will be feisty and aggressive against our opponents with Jen May (Davidsonville, Md./South River HS), Carrie Bateman (Sparks, Md./Hereford HS) and Emily Fowler (Towson, Md./Towson HS)," Larsen said. "They have great vision both on the offensive and defensive ends, understand the flow of transition, and are great leaders on the field. Their teammates look up to their competitive level, trying to match it during practice. This high level of play in the midfield will transfer into intense game-day play."

Erin Gaebe (St. Louis, Mo./MICDS) and Rachel Walker (Littleton, Colo./Heritage HS) provide excellent speed for the Ducks while Alison Leiner (Ocean City, Md./Worcester Prep) possesses finesse and a competitive spark in the midfield. Larsen also is high on Theresa Waldron (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool HS), a 5-foot-3 attacker.

"Theresa has the potential to be one of the offensive leaders," Larsen said. "She can see passes before anyone else can see them develop. Her ability to thread the needle will create assists and quick offensive movement. She's a very deceptive player and highlights those players around her, including Lindsay Killian (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool HS) and Lindsay Pittard (Skaneateles, N.Y./Skaneateles HS). These three present a huge offensive threat."

Larsen is unduly impressed with the energy Jana Bradley (Encinitas, Calif./La Costa Canyon HS), Kate Fleming (Cardiff, Calif./La Costa Canyon HS) and Liz Ottey (Baltimore, Md./Towson HS) bring to the Ducks.

"The three of them are working extremely hard, learning the dynamics of the offense," Larsen said. "Overall, we are teaching the basics and what will be expected of them on a daily basis. Were showing them the flow and tempo in front of the cage."

Emma Thorborg (Portland, Ore./Lincoln HS), one of four Oregonians on the team, has been an offensive spark during the fall scrimmages and is improving daily. With Thorborg having competed in mens lacrosse leagues, Larsen said she is still discovering the dynamics of the womens rules.

"Emma is absorbing the play at the Division I women's level," Larsen said. "She is active every moment on the field and keeping the pace of our offense at a high level."

On defense, despite being short on experience, the Ducks are long on raw talent, beginning with 5-foot-9 defender Jenny Browne (Sandwich, Mass./Deerfield Academy).

"Jenny is a strong defender and brings a cohesive quality that will connect both offensive and defensive units," Larsen said. "Solid one-on-one play is shown by Liora Lobel (Reisterstown, Md./Franklin HS), Cara Mead (Baltimore, Md./Towson HS) and Laura Lynch (Forest Hill, Md./McDonogh HS). These three defenders have good defensive instincts and quick hands. Theyre going to be threats coming out of the midfield in transition."

A pleasant surprise in the fall for the Ducks has been the development of local products Katie Tarlow (Lake Oswego, Ore./Lake Oswego HS), Ashley Beghtel (Beaverton, Ore./Southridge HS) and Kate Wagner (Hillsboro, Ore./St. Marys Academy).

"Katie is a tenacious one-on-one defender because with her foot speed and quickness," Larsen said. "Ashley and Kate are developing into fine defenders and are eager to learn."

Leanne Mertz (Dallas, Texas/Dallas Episcopal) also shows potential on the defensive end. Kristen Brown (Fort Lewis, Wash./Lakes HS) also recovering from ACL surgery, will be a solid foundation on the defensive end.

Larsen's defensive philosophy is simple. Applying those principles will be the challenge.

"The major objective for each of our defenders is to protect the critical scoring area and limit shots," Larsen said. "The key to a solid defensive unit is creating a sense of dependency that allows for individuals to take risks but still know they are covered by their teammates' supportive play. If we stop the offensive penetration, limit shots and affect the shooting opportunities, we will have a solid foundation in front of our goalkeepers."

Oregon has three goalkeepers on its roster senior Louisa Dorsch (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown HS), a UO club team member the last four years, along with freshmen Allison O'Brien (Colorado Springs, Colo./Air Academy) and Anna Poponyak (Encinitas, Calif./La Costa Canyon HS), who will sit the 2005 season as she recovers from ACL surgery.

"Louisa brings a lot of dedication to one final year of college lacrosse," Larsen said. "She's been integral for lacrosse in Oregon at the club level and is honored to be a part of our group. She is really taking this experience to heart and will give everything she has for her teammates and the success of this program."

O'Brien, meanwhile, will offer a stiff test for Dorsch for the starting nod this year.

"Allison is consistently improving on a daily basis, whether it be hand quickness, foot speed or communicating with the defensive unit in front of her," Larsen said. "Our goalie will be the defensive general in the goal cage and run the defense in front of them."

The Ducks dont make it easy on themselves with an extremely competitive schedule. But it's all a part of the master plan.

"Well continue to try to get the top teams in the country to come to Eugene," Larsen said. "To build success our team has to share the same field with the toughest opponents and know what it takes to play at their level. The Ducks wont back down from any of those challenges and were going to continue to put our program in position for excellence by playing the top teams in the country."

Oregon has dates with such schools as North Carolina, Northwestern and Ohio all on the road.

Not to mention its games with its league members. And since only two other Pac-10 teams -- Stanford and California -- field a women's lacrosse team, there came to be the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, which sponsors nine sports. Stanford, California, UC Davis, Denver, Saint Marys and Oregon comprise the conference.

Whats in store for Oregon's chances at success? Nobody knows.

"With our young squad, there will be surprises for us and for other teams," Larsen said. "Our team will be prepared for every single opponent, whether theyre a top-five team in the country or a team thats never been ranked before. Keeping a high level of play is key for us. We will learn from each half, learn from each game, learn from our mistakes so we can compete in our conference and be a national threat. No opponent will be taken for granted."

With a four-week training period beginning today, Oregon's clock is quickly ticking to its season-opener. No matter what, it will be a season of teaching and learning.

"To build a solid foundation we need to learn the basics, master the fundamentals and understand tactics," Larsen said. "We need to focus on our own play and continue to develop daily. We want to be the most complete team limiting mistakes, putting them in pressure situations and keeping our players individually competitive in practice. What we ask of our players is to bring their best every day and learn from yesterday."

And lacrosse is not a life-or-death concept for Larsen. However, she expects dedication and work ethic to be paramount to the programs success.

"We want to teach them to be competitive and direct their passion to success on the field, in the classroom and in the community," she said. "Lacrosse is an exciting sport and we want to make it fun and enjoyable, not only for our team but for our Duck fans too!"

Now, its time to walk the walk as opposed to talking the talk. Larsen and the Ducks know that.

"The team knows how competitive they want to be nationally and we are teaching them," Larsen said. "Were directing their passion, hard work and energy into a positive limelight. All your actions have to be directed toward a common goal, the success of the program, starting on a solid foundation and building up from there."