BOILING SPRINGS --- With the inaugural season of women's lacrosse set to begin this coming spring on the Gardner-Webb campus, head coach Jacquelyn Duggins and the Gardner-Webb athletic department would like to present Runnin' Bulldog Lacrosse 101: an eight-part series covering the basic rules, positions, field setup and origins of the game, which kicks off this week with the introduction of the Runnin' Bulldogs' 2015 roster. The series will culminate with the release of the Runnin' Bulldogs' 2015 on November 13.

"I am very excited for our inaugural lacrosse season because of the young ladies that make up our roster," praised Duggins. "Not only are they athletic, but they have exhibited an incredible work ethic since the first day on campus. These women are unified and developing each and every day. Our coaches are looking forward to the days ahead as we pursue great things together. "

The inaugural roster features 16 young ladies, including 13 freshman and three juniors. The juniors are: Alanna Costigan (Clifton Park, N.Y./Urbana University), Mariana Gallardo (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada/Lorne Park Secondary) and Carrie Randolph (Canton, N.C./Pisgah HS).

The freshman consist of: Raygan Hall (Cleveland, Tenn./Girls Preparatory School), Alex Fusco (Marietta, Ga./Lassiter HS), Alexa Janus (Mason, Ohio/William Mason HS), Emma Rose (Weston, Fla./South Plantation HS), Cassidy McDowell (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore HS), Michelle Hedrick (Orlando, Fla./Olympia HS), Amanda Steinmuller (Ellicott, Md./Mount Hebron HS), Monique Martin (Tyngsborough, Mass./Tyngsborough HS), Lindsey Lippert (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill HS), Brooke Fernandes (Greensboro, N.C./Ragsdale HS), Bryn Hubbard (Annapolis, Md./Old Mill HS), Destiny Mead (Palm Harbor, Fla./East Lake HS) and Lexi Kasofsky (Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert HS).

Costigan, a 5-3 attack from Clifton Park, New York, played the last two seasons at Urbana University where she totaled three goals and six assists in 21 games. Prior to her stint at Urbana, Costigan lettered in soccer, cross country and lacrosse at Shenendehowa High School. She is the daughter of Tom and Marie Costigan, and has four siblings, including an older brother, T.J., and an older sister, Brittaney, who both played collegiate lacrosse.

Gallardo, a 5-4 defender from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, has been at Gardner-Webb since her freshman season, playing two years of softball in 2012 and 2013. During her time with the softball program, Gallardo appeared in 65 games, making 29 starts and driving in 10 runs. She is the daughter of Bernie and Tammy Richardson, and has one older brother.

Randolph, a 5-5 defender from Canton, North Carolina, attended Pisgah High School in Canton. She is the daughter of Randy Randolph and Holly Gardner, and plans to become an Army officer following graduation.

Hall, a 5-3 goalie from Cleveland, Tennessee, earned a spot on the all-region team last season while playing for Girls Preparatory School in Cleveland. She was also a member of Team Tennessee in 2013, and played club lacrosse for TNLAX under head coach Megan Clark. Hall is the daughter of Brent and Marti Hall, and has two younger siblings.

Fusco, a 5-3 midfielder from Marietta, Georgia, tallied 14 goals and seven assists last season at Lassiter High School to earn All-America honors. She also played club lacrosse for Eagle Stix under head coach Tim Godby. Fusco is the daughter of Anthony and Maribeth Fusco, and has four older siblings.

Janus, a 5-7 goalie from Mason, Ohio, was named a Brine All-American in 2013 for the Illinois region at William Mason High School. She also played club lacrosse for Velocity Elite under head coach Natalie Starvaggi. Janus is the daughter of Pam Tenhundfeld and Ron Janus, and has one older brother.

Rose, a 5-3 midfielder/attack from Weston, Florida, scored 124 goals and added 78 assists in three seasons at South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida. During her stint at South Plantation, Rose was twice named to the all-region second team while earning a trio of US Lacrosse all-District honors. She is the daughter of Bob and Donna Rose, and has six siblings.

McDowell, a 5-8 attack from Cincinnati, Ohio, helped her Sycamore High School team to a pair of state finals appearances, including a state championship in 2014. She tallied a total of 168 assists during her career at Sycamore while winning a national championship with her Sycamore Elite club team. McDowell is the daughter of Tim and Stacy McDowell and has one sibling.

Hedrick, a 5-4 midfielder/defender from Orlando, Florida, is a former three-year letter-winner at Olympia High School. She also played club lacrosse for Lax Maniax under head coach Trey Burlingame. Hedrick is the daughter of Lawrence and Nilza Hedrick and has one sibling.

Steinmuller, a 5-3 midfielder from Ellicott, Maryland, is a former four-year letter-winner at Mount Hebron High School. She is the daughter of Peter and Tracy Steinmuller and has two siblings.

Martin, a 5-5 midfielder from Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, played at Tyngsborough High School under head coach Carrie Casey, and played club lacrosse for Rewards Academy Wolfpack under head coach Rich Fulvi. She is the daughter of Norman and Barbara Martin, and has two older siblings.

Lippert, a 5-5 midfielder/defender from Syracuse, New York, is a former two-time all-league second team selection at Westhill High School. She also played club lacrosse for Star Riders under head coach Dick Lighten. Lippert is the daughter of Steve and Joanne Lippert, and has three younger siblings.

Fernandes, a 5-6 defender from Greensboro, North Carolina, is a former two-time all-conference selection and Rookie of the Year honoree at Ragsdale High School in Jamestown, North Carolina. She was also selected to the All-Star East team in 2014. Fernandes is the daughter of Lori Nunes and Armando Fernandes and has two siblings.

Hubbard, a 5-2 attack from Annapolis, Maryland, is a former two-time Offensive MVP and all-County Player to Watch at Old Mill High School in Millersville, Maryland. She is also an outstanding student, receiving the Minds in Motion and Scholar Athlete Award each season at Old Mill. Hubbard is the daughter of Randy and Page Hubbard.

Mead, a 5-5 midfielder/defender from Palm Harbor, Florida, is a former three-time Florida Gulf Coast League First team selection at three different positions during her career at East Lake High School. She was also named the FGCL Defender of the Year in 2013 and the FGCL Midfielder of the Year in 2014. Mead is the daughter of Kenneth and Pamela Mead and has two older siblings.

Kasofsky, a 5-4 midfielder/defender from Gilbert, Arizona, played at Gilbert High School under head coach Whitney Turnbill and also played club lacrosse for Desert Heat under head coaches Jessica Barden and Tyna Murphey. She is the daughter of Michael Kasofsky and has one older sibling.

All 16 players will compete for the Runnin' Bulldogs during their inaugural season.

Stay tuned for next week's edition of Runnin' Bulldog Lacrosse 101, which will cover the basics and origins of the game. The full schedule for Runnin' Bulldogs Lacrosse 101 can be found below.

Week 1 (September 25, 2014): The Players
Week 2 (October 2, 2014): Basics and Origins of the Game
Week 3 (October 9, 2014): The Rules of the Game, Part 1
Week 4 (October 16, 2014): The Rules of the Game, Part 2
Week 5 (October 23, 2014): The Playing Field
Week 6 (October 30, 2014): The Positions
Week 7 (November 6, 2014): After the Whistle
Week 8 (November 13, 2014): The 2015 Schedule and Season Preview