FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2014 FIELD HOCKEY
College Field Hockey Season Preview
Season Begins August 29
June 9, 2014
VICTORIA, Minn.– In a few short months the 2014 Field Hockey season will be underway. Many players come from across the globe, united as one team who will come together again to achieve a common dream. For most that dream has already begun, as they are playing Division I Field Hockey with their friends who make up a family. Below is my preview and my top-16 NCAA College Field Hockey teams (my preseason ranking next to each team) for the upcoming season. Do enjoy.
 |
| Old Dominion Field Hockey leads the country with 9 NCAA Titles and are poised for another |
#1 Maryland Terrapins
The Maryland Terrapins return from a season in which they achieved yet another Final Four under Head Coach Missy Meharg. The Terps must replace one of their all-time great scorers in Jill Witmer. This season the Terps will host the NCAA Field Hockey Championships in College Park, Maryland. This team has enough returning talent to make another deep run, while Brooke Cabrera may take over as goalie for the departured Natalie Hunter. Maryland has won five of the last nine NCAA Championships under Meharg.
 |
| Anna Dessoye |
2013 Record: 22-2, Final Four
Conference: Big 10
Last NCAA Title: 2011
Top Returning Scorers: F Anna Dessoye 42 points, Maxine Fluharty 31 points, Sarah Sprink 23 points, Alyssa Parker 20 points
Key Losses from last season: D Ali McEvoy 29 points, F Jill Witmer 47 points, F Shelby Sydnor 6 points, GK Natalie Hunter 20-2, 1.17 GAA
2014 Schedule:
Maryland
Fri, Aug
29
|
vs.
Massachusetts
|
at
Lancaster, Pa.
|
5:00
p.m.
|
||||
Sun, Aug 31
|
vs.
Northeastern
|
at
Lancaster, Pa.
|
1:00
p.m.
|
||||
Fri, Sep 05
|
NORTH
CAROLINA
|
College
Park, Md.
|
4:00
p.m.
|
||||
Sun, Sep 07
|
MIAMI
(OHIO)
|
College
Park, Md.
|
1:00
p.m.
|
||||
Sat, Sep 13
|
American
vs. Towson
|
at
College Park, Md.
|
11:00
a.m.
|
||||
Sat, Sep 13
|
DREXEL
|
College
Park, Md.
|
1:00
p.m.
|
||||
Sun, Sep 14
|
TEMPLE
|
College
Park, Md.
|
2:00
p.m.
|
||||
Sun, Sep 14
|
American
vs. Drexel
|
at
College Park, Md.
|
4:00
p.m.
|
||||
Sat, Sep 20
|
at
Northwestern *
|
at
Evanston, Ill.
|
1:00
p.m.
|
||||
Fri, Sep 26
|
at
Michigan *
|
at Ann
Arbor, Mich.
|
6:00
p.m.
|
||||
Sun, Sep 28
|
at
Michigan State *
|
at East
Lansing, Mich.
|
1:00
p.m.
|
||||
Fri, Oct 03
|
OHIO
STATE *
|
College
Park, Md.
|
4:00
p.m.
|
||||
Sun, Oct 05
|
OLD
DOMINION
|
College
Park, Md.
|
2:00
p.m.
|
||||
Sat, Oct 11
|
PENN
STATE *
|
College
Park, Md.
|
12:00
p.m.
|
||||
Sun, Oct 12
|
PENN
|
College
Park, Md.
|
1:00
p.m.
|
||||
Wed, Oct 15
|
at
Princeton
|
at
Princeton, N.J.
|
6:00
p.m.
|
||||
Sun, Oct 19
|
RUTGERS
*
|
College
Park, Md.
|
1:00
p.m.
|
||||
Fri, Oct 24
|
at
Indiana *
|
at
Bloomington, Ind.
|
3:00
p.m.
|
||||
Wed, Oct 29
|
AMERICAN
|
College
Park, Md.
|
6:00
p.m.
|
||||
Sat, Nov 01
|
IOWA
*
|
College
Park, Md.
|
1:00
p.m.
|
||||
# 2 Connecticut Huskies
The defending National Champions return all but three players from last year. They will have to replace goaltender Sarah Mansfield and captain Marie Elena Bolles. Head Coach Nancy Stevens led the Huskies to their first Championship and UConn's first since 1985. The Huskies are co-champions of the Big East Conference and have enough fire power to go far into the NCAA Tournament again this season. UConn plays host to Old Dominion on October 10th.
 |
| Chloe Hunnable |
2013 Record: 21-4, National Champions
Last NCAA Title: 2013
Conference: Big East
Top Returning Scorers: F Chloe Hunnable 52 points, Roisin Upton 40 points, Anne Jeute 34 points, Sophie Bowden 13 points, Chrissy Davidson 12 assists
Key Losses from last season: F Marie Elena Bolles 48 points, B Shannon Creghan 13 points, GK Sarah Mansfield 21-4, 1.12 GAA
# 3 Old Dominion (Lady) Monarchs
ODU returns their top five scorers and all but two key players from last year's run to the NCAA Tournament. All-American Back Christy Longacre and two-time Big East Honor Roll member Back Danielle Clutter have moved on, but Emily Harting among others are ready to step into a new role. Junior goalkeeper Megan Hept returns as one of the best goalies in the country (1.75 GAA, .752 SV, 8 shutouts) as she also impressed in the spring. Seniors Nicole Goff, Cassandra Wagner and Katy Fuhrman will need to step into the spotlight as they did towards the end of last year. Big East Second-Team Sarah Breen is now a junior after scoring 27 points last year and taking 47 shots on net. Breen is just one of several offensive weapons the Lady Monarchs have this season and the main reason why they are my #3 team. |
| ODU Field Hockey finished the spring on a high note (3-0-3) |
This group is led by senior co-captains Kelsey Smither and Rosario Villagra. Smither, a two-time All-American will need to fill in on both sides of the field as she did last year (14 assists). Villagra, last year's Big East Offensive Player of the Year returns as one of the nation's top returning scorers (see below) after leading ODU with 41 points during her junior campaign and as this year approaches "has high expectations for this season."
Top Returning Scorers from each team
 |
| Rosario Villagra |
UConn Chloe Hunnable F SR 52 PTS
Liberty Natalie Barr F JR 49 PTS
Maryland Anna Dessoye M JR 42 PTS
ODU Rosario Villagra F SR 41 PTS
Delaware Michaela Patzner M JR 41 PTS
Temple Amber Youtz F SR 39 PTS
UNC Nina Notman M JR 37 PTS
JMU Tayler West M JR 33 PTS
PROV Daniella Bernasconi F SR 32 PTS
PSU Taylor Herold F SR 30 PTS
Monmouth Trish O'Dwyer M SR 29 PTS
Wake Forest Anna Kuzniuk B SR 24 PTS
UVA Caleigh Foust F SO 24 PTS
Quinnipiac Danielle Allan F SR 23 PTS
W&M Pippin Saunders F JR 23 PTS
AU Grace Wilson M SR 23 PTS
Duke Jessica Buttinger F SR 20 PTS
GTown Sarah Butterfield F JR 13 PTS
After completing his first season as Head Coach, Andrew Griffiths led ODU to their first Big East Regular season title. Griffiths also brought in one of the best recruiting classes in the country led by Carrie Sensenig, Anna Kimidy, Kristen Vick, Danielle Grega, Jennifer Klein, Kelly Weaver along with Netherlands native Willemijn van Schie.
Fri, Aug
29
|
at Penn State
|
at State College, Pa.
|
5:00
p.m.
| ||||
Sun, Aug 31
|
at American
|
at Washington D.C
|
1:00
p.m.
| ||||
Fri, Sep 05
|
WAKE FOREST
|
at Norfolk, Va.
|
5:00
p.m.
| ||||
Sun, Sep 07
|
at Liberty
|
at Lynchburg, Va.
|
1:00
p.m.
| ||||
Fri, Sep 12
|
DUKE
|
at Norfolk, Va.
|
3:00
p.m.
| ||||
Sun, Sep 14
|
MONMOUTH
|
at Norfolk, Va.
|
1:00
p.m.
| ||||
Fri, Sep 19
|
at William & Mary
|
at Williamsburg, Va.
|
5:30
p.m.
| ||||
Sun, Sep 21
|
DELAWARE
|
at Norfolk, Va.
|
1:00
p.m.
| ||||
Sun, Sep 28
|
JAMES MADISON
|
at Norfolk, Va.
|
1:00
p.m.
| ||||
Fri, Oct 03
|
VILLANOVA *
|
at Norfolk, Va.
|
6:00
p.m.
| ||||
Sun, Oct 05
|
at Maryland
|
at College
Park, Md.
|
2:00
p.m.
| ||||
Fri, Oct 10
|
at UConn *
|
at Storrs, Conn.
|
6:00
p.m.
| ||||
Sun, Oct 12
|
at Quinnipiac
|
at Quinnipiac.
|
1:00
p.m.
| ||||
Fri, Oct 17
|
TEMPLE *
|
at Norfolk, Va.
|
6:00
p.m.
| ||||
Sun, Oct 19
|
at Virginia
|
at Charlottesville, Va.
|
1:00
p.m.
| ||||
Fri, Oct 24
|
at Providence *
|
at Providence, RI.
|
3:00
p.m.
| ||||
Fri, Oct 31
|
at Georgetown *
|
at Washington D.C.
|
1:00
p.m.
| ||||
Sun, Nov 02
|
NORTH CAROLINA
|
at Norfolk, Va.
|
1:00
p.m.
| ||||
NCAA Final Four- College Park, MD.- University of Maryland
2013 Record: 13-8, NCAA Tournament, Co-Big East Champions
Conference: Big East
Last NCAA Title: 2000
Top Returning Scorers: F Rosario Villagra 41 points, M Sarah Breen 27 points, M Kelsey Smither 16 points, B Emily Harting 15 points, F Katy Fuhrman 10 points
Key Losses from last season: B Christy Longacre 9 points, B Danielle Clutter 8 points
# 4 UNC Tar Heels
UNC retains their top five scorers for this season as they regroup after achieving another Final Four appearance. Head Coach Karen Shelton has goalkeeper Sassi Ammer back and All-American Emily Wold as the Tar Heels look to make another run at the NCAA Championship.
 |
| Emily Wold |
2013 Record: 18-6 NCAA Final Four
Conference: ACC
Last NCAA Title: 2009
Top Returning Scorers: M Nina Notman 37 points, M Emily Wold 35 points, F Charlotte Craddock 31 points, F Casey Di Nardo 30 points, F Loren Shealy 23 points
Key Losses from last season: F Sinead Loughran 16 points, B Meghan Drake, M Rachel Magerman, M Marta Malmberg 14 points , B Janne Grove 17 points
#5 Princeton Tigers
Princeton was a very strong team last season as they lost 3-2 to Maryland in the Elite 8 as the defending champions. This year's team brings back starting goaltender Anya Gersoff. On offense they lose top scorer Michelle Cesan but have Allison Evans as the new leader.
 |
| Allison Evans |
2013 Record: 14-5 NCAA Elite 8
Conference: IVY
Last NCAA Title: 2012
Top Returning Scorers: ST Allison Evans 28 points, M Teresa Benvenuti 24 points, F Cat Caro 22 points, B Amanda Bird 13 points, GK Anya Gersoff 1.81 GAA 10-4
Key Losses from last season: M/F Michelle Cesan 30 points, M Julia Reinprecht 15 points, GK Christina Maida 4-1 1.48 GAA
# 6 Syracuse Orange
2013 Record: 16-4 NCAA Tournament
Conference: ACC
Last NCAA Title: N/A
Top Returning Scorers: M/F Emma Russell 35 points, F Lauren Brooks 27 points, F Karlee Farr 18 points, M Alyssa Manley 18 points
Key Losses from last season: M Leonie Geyer 35 points, F Sarah Kerly 9 points, B Laura Hahnefeldt 8 points
 |
| Emma Russell |
# 7 Duke Blue Devils
Duke has remained national runner-up in four different years since 2003 after finishing last season as National Runner-Up. The Blue Devils must replace Emmie Le Marchard but do have starting goalkeeper Lauren Blazing back. Finding someone to come up with a critical goal may be hard to find on this year's team.
 |
| Lauren Blazing |
2013 Record: 17-7 NCAA Runner-Up
Conference: ACC
Last NCAA Title: N/A
Top Returning Scorers: M Jessica Buttinger 20 points, Heather Morris 16 points, Abby Beltrani 16 points, GK Lauren Blazing 17-7, 1.48 GAA
Key Losses from last season: F Emmie Le Marchand 48 points, Cherry Seaborn 12 points
# 8 Penn State Nittany Lions
2013 Record: 13-6 NCAA Tournament
Conference: Big 10
Last NCAA Title: N/A
Top Returning Scorers: M Taylor Herold 30 points, Whitney Reddig 22 points, Jenna Chrismer 16 points, Laura Gebhart 16 points, GK Kylie Licata 13-6, 1.61 GAA
Key Losses from last season: M Brittany Grzywacz 28 points, Ashtin Klingler 19 points, Lauren Purvis 11 points
 |
| Taylor Herold |
# 9 Wake Forest Demon Deacons
2013 Record: 12-9 NCAA Tournament
Conference: ACC
Last NCAA Title: 2004
Top Returning Scorers: GK Valerie Dahmen 2.04 GAA, F Anna Kozniuk 24 points, Jess Newak 18 points
Key Losses from last season: F Taylor Rhea 38 points, Kari Walkley 15 points, Holly Brown 13 points, Jess McFadyen 12 points
 |
| Anna Kozniuk |
# 10 BC Eagles
2013 Record: 12-8 NCAA Tournament
Conference: ACC
Last NCAA Title: N/A
Top Returning Scorers: F Emma Plasteras 34 points, Emily McCoy 22 points, Eryn McCoy 18 points, AshLeigh Sebia 18 points, GK Leah Settipane 12-8 1.88 GAA
Key Losses from last season: Virgynia Muma 15 points, Paige Norris 11 points, Chapin Duke 10 points
 |
| Emma Plasteras |
# 11 Virginia Cavaliers
2013 Record: 16-4 NCAA Tournament
Conference: ACC
Last NCAA Title: N/A
Top Returning Scorers: M Caleigh Foust 24 points, Riley Tata 22 points, Lucy Hyams 21 points, GK Jenny Johnstone 1.53 GAA 15-6
Key Losses from last season: Elly Buckley 49 points, Hadley Bell 8 points, Chloe Pendlebury 8 points
# 12 UMass Minutewomen
2013 Record: 19-5 NCAA Tournament
Last NCAA Title: N/A
Top Returning Scorers: M Brooke Sabia 41 points, Hannah Prince 28 points, Izzie Delario 25 points, Alexa Sikalls 24 points, Charlotte Verelst 21 points, GK Sam Carlino 1.47 GAA
Key Losses from last season: Lauren Allymohamed 16 points, Renee Suter 13 points
# 13 American Eagles
2013 Record: 15-6 NCAA Tournament
Conference: IVY
Last NCAA Title: N/A
Top Returning Scorers: M Grace Wilson 23 points, Carly Atchison 19 points, Victoria DeKepper 12 points
Key Losses from last season: Shelly Montgomery 24 points, Alex McMackin 14 points, GK Ashley Dalisera 12-6 1.77 GAA
# 14 Delaware Blue Hens
2013 Record: 17-5 NCAA Tournament
Conference: CAA
Last NCAA Title: N/A
Top Returning Scorers: M/F Michaela Patzner 41 points, Esmee Peet 32 points, Meghan Winesett 27 points
Key Losses from last season: GK Sarah Scher 1.54 GAA, Kasey Prettyman 21 points, Toni Popinko 18 points
# 15 Stanford Cardinal
2013 Record: 16-5
Last NCAA Title: N/A
Top Returning Scorers: D Kelsey Harbin 22 points, Alex McCawley 17 points, GK Dulcie Davies .84 GAA 16-5
Key Losses from last season: F Hope Burke 22 points, Courtney Haldeman 13 points
# 16 Louisville Cardinals
2013 Record: 15-5
Conference: ACC
Last NCAA Title: N/A
Top Returning Scorers: B Alyssa Voelmle 27 points, Shannon Sloss 22 points, Becca Maddock 15 points, Elisa Garcia 15 points, GK Sydney King 1.43 GAA 15-4
Key Losses from last season: F Erin Schneidtmiller 21 points, Michelle Amon 7 points
Top 16 NCAA Tournament Prediction
1. Old Dominion
2. UConn
3. Maryland
4. North Carolina
5. Princeton
6. BC
7. Umass
8. Penn State
9. Wake Forest
10. Syracuse
11. Virginia
12. Duke
13. American
14. Delaware
15. Stanford
16. Louisville
Have a Wonderful Summer Hockey Fans!!
Twitter: @AVJ21
Instagram: Aaron Morem
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