Bucknell University Athletics
2003 Bison Field Hockey Team Geared Up For Start of Season
8/25/2003 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 25, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - To say the 2003 season will be one of change and renewed enthusiasm might be a bit of an understatement for the Bucknell University Field Hockey Program. With the additions of a brand new state-of-the-art artificial carpet facility and a full-time assistant coach to complement Head Coach Heather Lewis and returning Graduate Assistant Sue Barnes, expectations are running high on campus this season and deservedly so.
A program marked by its consistency since the arrival of Lewis, the Bison squad will begin its quest for their first-ever Patriot League championship. While they have been close in years past, including three appearances in the League's tournament championship game, that elusive title will be the motivating force behind a very determined and focused 2003 team. "There's no doubt the anticipation of our facility has motivated this team to train harder than it ever has. Certainly, they're a group that is very respectful of Bill Graham's generosity towards the field and they're out to prove Bucknell can be a key figure in this year's title chase," comments Lewis.
In addition to the new facility, Bucknell welcomes recent Old Dominion graduate and All-American Tara Herrmann to the coaching staff.
"Tara is going to be a tremendous asset to our program on several fronts," said Lewis, who is entering her 12th season as Bucknell's head coach. "Her exceptional playing career will only benefit our student-athletes, particularly as we make a move to [artificial] turf. Tara competed at the highest level on that surface, and she will be able to help us make that transition."
With exciting change and optimism surrounding the program, Lewis is fortunate to return nine of 11 starters from a year ago and 12 letter winners. "While our roster includes only two seniors, we actually return a veteran squad for 2003," comments Lewis. "Our current group of sophomores and juniors have gained valuable playing experience the past two seasons and I anticipate one of my deepest rosters in the 12 years I've been head coach."
Leading the way on defense will be senior co-captains Lindsey Gentel and Kate Ruda. Both Gentel and Ruda enter their senior campaign as three-year defensive starters and will provide the leadership necessary to offset the loss of recently graduated and four-year starting goalkeeper Sonja Wettergreen. "While I expect Lindsey and Kate to be the consistent performers that they've been the past three seasons, I'm genuinely excited for them to have the opportunity to lead this program. In a sense, it's their chance to leave their legacy within our program," adds Lewis.
Gentel and Ruda will not be alone in the backfield as junior defender Corin Inderbitzin-Brooks is expected to return for her third season - second as the starting center back. Classmates Stephanie Cabral and Cara Reichenbach join Inderbitzin-Brooks in a defensive rotation that will provide depth and experience on the defensive end. "I thought our defensive penalty corner unit in 2002 was the most consistent performer all season. I anticipate the duo of Corin and Kate making life very difficult for opposing penalty corner attacks," predicts Lewis. "As far as our team defense is concerned, Steph and Cara have demonstrated tremendous improvement since last fall and I'm anxious to see how we gel as a unit this season," adds Lewis.
One might be a bit cautious after losing an All-League goalkeeper, but Lewis is quite confident in rising sophomore Liz Jordan. "Liz has been such a pleasant surprise in our program. I anticipate her rising to the challenge of replacing Sonja and not only holding her own but surpassing all expectations placed on her," comments Lewis.
In addition to the defensive veterans, Lewis welcomes four incoming first-year players, including two goalkeepers, to add to the depth in the defensive end. Roxannah Hunter and Heather Rogers will compete for playing time immediately as primary defenders while Emily Groendyke and Suzanne Peloquin are both capable performers in goal. "I was quite pleased with our recruiting efforts as we were able to attract two natural and very talented defenders in Rox and Heather. In addition, any time you're able to solidify your goalkeeping situation, you've had a successful recruiting year," adds Lewis.
One of Lewis's greatest challenges in the midfield will be replacing four-year starter and second-team All-Patriot League performer Amy Marvel this season. "There's no doubt that Amy's presence the past four seasons was crucial in us reaching the Patriot League Championship game in two of those seasons," comments Lewis. "However, I feel our returning midfielders - Kirsten Nilsen, Cara Turner and Jenni Turner - coupled with an excellent incoming class of midfielders puts our midfield in very capable, and more importantly, very athletic hands."
It is expected that Nilsen and Cara Turner will return to the starting lineup for their second consecutive season while Jenni Turner will compete for increased playing time in 2003. "Kirsten is by far our most athletic performer and her commitment to achieving excellence doesn't go unnoticed," Lewis states. "You combine her athleticism with Cara's vision and game sense and our midfield might possibly be our strongest unit this season."
In addition to four returning players, Lewis welcomes three incoming first-year students who can provide depth and plenty of athleticism to the midfield line. Callista Costopoulos, Laura Harabedian and Anne Lutz join the Bison squad after successful and very decorated high school careers. According to Lewis, "I'm not sure we could have found a more diverse group of incoming midfielders, not only in physical stature but also in personality and style of play. I anticipate all three making immediate contributions and I'm excited to watch them join the three upperclassmen this season."
Lewis is fortunate that three of her top four scorers return to the front line in junior All-League performer Meiko Boynton and sophomores Carli Cataldo and Kelly O'Brien.
"There's no doubt we'll be a team capable of scoring many goals this season," comments Lewis. "We have the potential with our returning players and incoming recruits to put very athletic and dangerous scoring lines out on the field."
Joining the upperclassmen is a trio of first-year students in Alex Kyzmir, Haley Rosengarten and Katie Urosevich. Kyzmir and Urosevich come to Bucknell with very strong track backgrounds and their speed will create significant mismatches on the field. Lewis praises the athleticism of her incoming class and adds, "There's no doubt we looked at improving our overall team speed through recruiting this year and Alex and Katie have addressed those needs quite specifically. Put Haley, who has a 'nose for the goal' in with those two and all of a sudden we become a very attacking hockey team."
In conclusion, one can expect to see a very athletic Bison squad in 2003 and one that is focused on bringing home Bucknell's first-ever Patriot League championship. "I've been here quite a long time and I must say this team is probably more focused than any other team I've coached," comments Lewis. "They have invested in themselves, in each other, and in the process of achieving excellence. And while we all recognize there exists an element of risk in that investment, each of them has determined the risk is well worth it."
