2003 Field Hockey Preview
7/28/2003 11:36:25 AM | Field Hockey
"I think the team has enthusiasm back and I think they have the right attitude to try to get back to winning ways more consistently," said Kathleen Parker when asked to discuss the outlook for the 2003 field hockey season. It will be her 26th campaign as head coach.
"This group is really excited about establishing their own identity. That's why they're going to be playing without any pressure. The strength will be in the team - as a group. There may be no individual superstars, but I think their ability level overall is very solid."
The Orangewomen are coming off a 10-11 season, but are only two years removed from a BIG EAST Championship and NCAA Tournament campaign. The three basic ingredients for improvement are goalkeeping, goalscoring and team chemistry.
"We weren't satisfied with a 10-11 season," explained Parker. "There were games we felt we didn't work hard enough to win. I think the biggest difference will be the chemistry. This group is relatively unknown and I'm not so sure that's a bad thing. I don't think they feel they have anything to live up to. If they're going to be successful, they will have to do it TOGETHER."
One of the tasks facing this year's team is putting a new goalie in the cage. SU lost first-team All-American Audrey Latsko to graduation. Latsko had served as the Orangewomen's starting goalkeeper since 1999. Last season, she was recognized as the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year.
Luckily, Parker has an individual who is chopping at the bit to get out on the field in this capacity. Co-captain Betsy Wagner has been a member of the team for three years, but has junior eligibility status. The only season she saw time was during the 2001 championship campaign, when she played in seven contests.
"We have a large hole to fill at the goalkeeper position," said Parker, "but Betsy is more than ready to step in. She's ready to make that position her own now. When we did call on her at a critical time during the 2001 season, she went out and not only performed, but was successful. It was a league game at Providence and she faced a ton of shots and penalty corners and turned back everything. She's more than anxious for this opportunity and she will have it."
The strength of the team will be playing in front of Wagner, as defensively, the Orangewomen are skilled. Junior co-captain Lindsay Kocher is back for her third season as a starter at center halfback. Sophomore Michelle Sola started all 21 games at sweeper, while also contributing offensively on penalty corners. The team gets stronger with the return of Joanne Lombard, a starter on the 2001 BIG EAST championship team who suffered a season-ending injury last season before even returning to campus. In 2001, Lombard scored four goals.
"Defensively, you might look at us and think the backfield is depleted with the loss of Latsko, Missy Grosman and Becky Kohler, but we are returning two starters and Joanne is back," said Parker. "Michelle Sola and Lindsay Kocher will anchor the middle of the defense. Joanne can play on either side or back with Sola. Erin Fitzgerald is likely to round out the unit based on her play during the offseason."
Four of the team's top five scorers from a year ago are back. Seniors Jackie Sheaffer and Ann-Marie Guglieri finished tied for second behind Kristin Aronowicz in scoring last year. Sheaffer recorded her nine points on three goals and three assists, while Guglieri posted two goals and a team-leading five assists. Junior Lindsay Peirson is the top returning goal scorer. She tallied four goals last year to rank as the squad's fourth-leading scorer (eight points) overall.
"Our goal output last year wasn't stellar," said Parker about her team's 25-goal total. "We have to be able to put the ball in the cage. A lot of the season could rest in the hands of the shooters. But, we have to score as a team. It needs to be somebody each game. We have to be more productive inside the offensive 25-yard line and we have to have a more productive corner unit."
Others expected to contribute offensively will be juniors Brittany Carriero, Meredith Gettel and freshman Ashley Fry. Carriero is a midfielder who, if healthy, can be dynamic because of her tenacity on the field. Gettel played in all 21 games at forward last year, but only scored one goal. She will be asked to contribute more during her third year with the program. Fry is a player who Parker is extremely excited about because she has excellent skills inside the circle. The rookie's quick hands have the coaches hoping she will be an offensive threat right away for the Orangewomen.
In addition to Fry, four other newcomers will be on the roster. Parker says "time will tell where they fit in."
The schedule is challenging and begins August 31, at Kent State. The Orangewomen will play their first three games on the road before the first home contest is held Sept. 10, against Albany. Iowa, Penn State, Massachusetts, Lafayette, Dartmouth and Northwestern are among the stronger non-conference opponents on this year's slate. BIG EAST competition begins Sept. 19, against Rutgers. The Orangewomen were fourth in the league last year with a 2-3 record. The 2003 BIG EAST Tournament will be held at Boston College on Nov. 7-9. That is good news for Syracuse. The Orangewomen have won each of their three conference crowns in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
