Bucknell University Athletics
Expectations High as Bison Field Hockey Squad Nears Season Opener at Virginia
8/24/2004 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 24, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- While there are many words to describe the Bison of 2004 -- terms like experienced, talented and athletic -- talk with any member of this year's squad and you'll sense a sort of urgency in their expectations for the upcoming season.
A squad that returns 16 letterwinners, includingeight starters, is primed for a serious run at the program's first-ever Patriot League championship.
The Bison begin that quest in Charlottesville, Va., this Saturday with a tough test against Virginia. In a preseason\ poll of Patriot Leaguehead coaches and sports information directors, Bucknell is picked to finish third behind American and Holy Cross. The Bison, who did claim onefirst-place vote, are picked ahead of Lafayette, Colgate and Lehigh.
A senior class that is entering its third consecutive season of starting together will lead this year's edition of the Bucknell field hockey squad. And, it is this familiarity and maturity that head coach Heather Lewis believes will bring the team's focus into a productive direction.
"This senior class is so driven by how close they've been in previous seasons and have vowed to not let history repeat itself in their final year," says Lewis. "I have complete confidence in their focus and I trust they'll make sure this team is fully prepared every moment they're on the field."
With experience comes expectation, and the Bison have set a league championship as the pinnacle of their success. Their triumph will be dependent on each team member embracing their accountability to their teammates, the program and its goals -- a focal point for Lewis since the disappointing finish of the 2003 season.
"I don't think any returning team member forgets how we felt last November, following a devastating loss at Holy Cross, and I believe those feelings will be a motivating force for this year's squad," comments Lewis. "While you don't always want to look back, I think `history' can sometimes be the impetus for a team to work a little harder...and that's not necessarily a bad thing."
GOALKEEPING
What was an unforeseen success story in 2003 will be an anticipated carryover into 2004. Junior Liz Jordan stepped into a starting role last year and finished the season ranked among the top-10 nationally in save percentage.
"I'm not sure anyone expected the constant brilliance of Liz last season, myself included," states Lewis. "That's not meant to be disrespectful to Liz. I knew she was talented. She's probably the most athletically gifted and competitive goalkeeper I've coached. I just didn't know if she had the poise to handle the demands of the position. That's what she proved to everyone in 2003."
Jordan, who was named to the All-Patriot League Second Team in 2003, is expected to continue to improve upon her stellar play of a year ago and will be pushed by sophomore Emily Groendyke. Groendyke had the opportunity to gain valuable experience last spring and will certainly blossom under the direction of newly appointed assistant coach, Annie Zinkavich, a former goalie at Penn State.
DEFENSE
If there is any truth to the old cliché, "Offense wins games, defense wins championships," then the Bison of '04 have positioned themselves quite nicely. Bucknell will field a defensive unit that includes four seniors and one returning junior in All-Patriot League goalkeeper Liz Jordan.
Senior co-captains Steph Cabral and Corin Inderbitzin-Brooks return, along with Jordan, to anchor a defensive unit that finished last season nationally ranked in scoring defense. Seniors (and twin sisters) Cara and Jenni Turner will step into the role of defensive midfielder in a system that uses a combination of five midfielders at times.
Cabral returns to her left-side defensive position, typically one of the more challenging positions on the field. An excellent tackler, this former forward uses those attacking instincts to assist the Bison in quick transition.
Inderbitzin-Brooks will, for the third consecutive season, direct the defense from the backfield. Inderbitzin-Brooks may very well be the team's most complete defensive player, and her experience on the defensive penalty corner unit enables the Bison to thwart opposing team's scoring chances on penalty corners.
"I believe the value of Steph and Corin is often overlooked when people assess our team. How reliable these two are, along with Liz, enables us to play a very `risk-oriented' style...that's how good I think they are. I have the utmost confidence in their ability to handle any defensive challenge put before them," states Lewis.
What you'll find in Cara Turner is an intelligent, three-year starter in the midfield and/or defense. Turner has exceptional vision and aware-ness, and it's her steadiness that Lewis will rely on throughout the season.
Lewis praises Turner's dependability, "Cara's awareness is outstanding which leads to precise decision-making. It is this diligence that makes her one of our most consistent players on the field. She's ideal in our system as a defensive midfielder."
Interestingly, sister Jenni Turner exhibits similar traits in her steadiness on the field and has proven her versatility as a player, thereby allowing Lewis some flexibility in her chosen system of play. "When we looked at our personnel strengths, Jenni's talent and flexibility as a player enabled us to be a bit more creative in our system," explains Lewis.
Providing depth to what is undoubtedly the team's strength will be sophomores Sheri Keener and Heather Rogers. Both saw extensive playing time last spring and are developing the confidence and skill set to challenge for increased playing time this fall.
MIDFIELD
The midfield unit is expected to be a "position by committee" this season, as the Bison are deep in talent and versatility. Senior Meiko Boynton will lead the way alongside junior Carli Cataldo and sophomore Callista Costopoulos. Boynton, an All-Patriot League performer as a sophomore, is looking to return to her all-league form.
Undoubtedly the team's most creative player in terms of possession and elimination skills, Boynton is expected to be among the scoring leaders in the league.
Cataldo has the vision and originality ideal for an attacking right midfielder. Cataldo has played a multitude of positions under Lewis but seems to have found a home on the right side. "While Carli has demonstrated so many of her strengths, she has found a `home' on the right side of the field. She's so creative in her play and distributes the ball so well that it only helps our attack," notes Lewis.
The newcomer to the starting midfield will be sophomore Costopoulos. A significant reserve that saw action in all but one game as a freshman, Costopoulos is an instant scoring threat on any penalty corner situation. In addition, her vision and passing skills are ideal for a central midfielder.
Fellow sophomore Anne Lutz is capable of providing valuable depth to the midfield. Lutz is a feisty competitor who is drastically improved following last spring season.
 Kelly O'Brien and the Bison offense should pack plenty of scoring punch in 2004.  |
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OFFENSE
Speed is undeniably the team's greatest strength in 2004 and Lewis will field a fast and deep offensive unit quite capable of putting plenty of goals on the scoreboard.
"It's quite possible this will be the fastest team I have coached in my 13 seasons at Bucknell. Not only are we fast, but we're very deep and will have the luxury of rotating players in and out and not lose any speed in the process," reveals a delighted Lewis.
Leading the way is a returning all-league player in junior Kelly O'Brien. O'Brien led the team in scoring as a sophomore and is one of the top returning scorers in the Patriot League.
The athleticAlex Kyzmir will complement O'Brien on the forward line, as willsophomore Katie Urosevich, the team's fastest player. This group may very well be the fastest attacking unit in the league, and Lewis recognizes the difficulty in shutting them down.
"If there's one thing that's difficult to contain is a team's speed. We're fortunate that across our forward line we are fast, athletic and assertive on the offensive end. If anything, this group will be fun to watch as they'll create some excitement in getting up and down the field," says Lewis.
What is equally nice is the fact that Kyzmir and Nilsen are versatile enough to provide some flexibility in the midfield lineup as well.
NEWCOMERS
Joining the Bison in 2004 will be a first-year class deep in athleticism and talent. In addition, junior transfer Katie Watt, formerly a lacrosse player at Northwestern University, will look to enhance the Bison midfield in 2004.
The Class of 2008 includes forwards Kelly Hoffman and Lindsey Weller, midfielder Katie Leinen and defenders Marissa Hudson and Chyncia Smith.
In addition, Bucknell will welcome three walk-on newcomers to pre-season in Elizabeth Bunn, Cordy Elkins and Erin Hozack.
HEATHER LEWIS' OUTLOOK
"I always find it difficult to `predict' a season as so many factors come into play along the way. However, as I look at the 2004 season, I embrace it with such enthusiasm and optimism. This is a squad that has been playing together for almost three seasons and they have adopted my `detail-oriented, focus on the small things' approach. I feel quite confident I can ask anything of this year's team and they'll respond. But most importantly, as I get to know them, they are wonderful folks with great character, work ethics and senses of humor. I know one thing, we'll be exciting and fun to watch in 2004."
