Syracuse University
Monmouth University
Orange Opens 2011 Campaign
8/26/2011 10:28:46 AM | Field Hockey
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The fifth-ranked Syracuse University field hockey team opens the 2011 season this weekend at the friendly confines of J.S. Coyne Stadium against Monmouth (0-0) on Saturday, August 27 at 1 p.m.
Syracuse is 23-16 in season openers, including 15-6 at home.
The Orange has won eight consecutive home openers dating back to 1996. Syracuse defeated Northwestern, 6-1, in last season's home opener.
SU is 4-0 in season openers under the direction of fifth-year head coach Ange Bradley.
Series Notes
Saturday's contest marks the first meeting between Syracuse and Monmouth University on the field hockey pitch.
The Hawks are the only first-time opponent on the 2011 schedule.
Scouting the Orange
Three time BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year Ange Bradley welcomes back all three All-Americans and six regional All-Americans from the 2010 BIG EAST Championship squad.
Senior midfielder Martina Loncarica returns for her final year ranked first on SU's all-time assists list with 55. The three-time All-American is also second on the all-time points list with 117 (three points shy of tying for the top spot).
Sophomore back Laura Hanefeldt returns after being recognized on the Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-American Second Team.
Senior forward Heather Susek was named to the Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-American Third Team after recording 21 points off nine goals and three assists.
The Orange also returns Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-Mideast First Team members sophomore midfielder Leonie Geyer, junior back Amy Kee and second-team member senior midfielder Nicole Nelson.
Junior goalkeeper Leann Stiver returns in cage for SU. The Amherst, N.Y. native has started 31 games, recorded a 1.23 goals-against-average and a .738 saves percentage.
Bradley welcomes Steve Simpson and Natalie Barrett as assistant coaches. Simpson has been an assistant coach at the University of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maryland. Barrett played at Kent State and served as an assistant coach at Christopher Newport University.
Scouting the Hawks
Monmouth was selected second in the Northeast Conference Preseason Poll.
Monmouth, which celebrated the best season in program history in 2010 finishing with a 15-5 record including an 8-3 mark against nonconference opponents, reached the NEC Championship game for the second year in a row.
The 2010 NEC Coach of the Year, Carli Figlio, welcomes back 16 letter-winners from last season, including four all-league performers.
A pair of juniors will lead the offensive attack for the Blue and White as All-NEC First Team and Longstreth/NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region Second Team selection Michelle Pieczynski paced the offense last season with 31 points (14 goals, 3 assists). Kimmy Baligian had a break-out season totaling 29 points (14 goals, 1 assist).
The defense returns a pair of 20-game starters in junior Nicole Manziano, an All-NEC Tournament Team selection, and sophomore Ali Askinas, who registered a defensive save in the double-overtime victory over Bryant.
With the departure of all-league goalkeeper Melissa Katz to graduation, sophomore Teresa Mathews and rookies Amanda Westerweller and Rebecca Grande will battle for time in the cage for the Blue and White.
BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Senior midfielder Martina Loncarica was named the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year in a vote by the conference's seven head coaches, the league office announced.
Loncarica returns for her final year ranked first on SU's all-time assists list with 55. She is also second on the all-time points list with 117 (three points shy of tying for the top spot). The three-time All-American recorded a team-best 29 points off a team-high 11 goals and seven assists last season.
All-BIG EAST Preseason Team
Senior midfielder Martina Loncarica, sophomore back Laura Hahnefeldt, senior forward Heather Susek and junior back Amy Kee were all selected to the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team. Loncarica, Hahnefeldt and Susek were all unanimous selections.
Hahnefeldt was recognized on the Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-American Second Team last season. The sophomore helped limit SU's opponents to just 1.14 goals per game in 2010.
Susek earned third-team Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-American honors after recording 21 points off nine goals and three assists in 2010.
Kee earned a spot on the Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-Mideast Region First Team in an injury laden season. The junior also tallied 14 points off five goals and four assists in 2010.
BIG EAST Field Hockey Preseason Poll
The three-time defending champion Orange garnered 32 points, including two first-place votes, and was picked to finish second behind Connecticut. The Huskies received 35 points, including the remaining five first-place votes.
Orange At Home
The Orange has been dominate at J.S. Coyne Stadium since fifth-year head coach Ange Bradley took the reins in 2007. Syracuse is 31-5 (.861) overall and, including 21-3 (.875) in nonconference games and 10-2 (.800) in BIG EAST games. The Orange has won its last 17 games at J.S. Coyne Stadium and has only lost twice since the start of the 2008 season.
2011/NFHCA Division I Preseason Poll
Syracuse received 664 points and a No. 5 ranking in the 2011 Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I Preseason Poll. SU ended the season ranked fourth nationally after advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. All but five of SU's 19 opponents are either ranked in the top 20 or receiving votes, including four top-10 teams.
