Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Field Hockey Hopes Experience will Drive their Success this Season
8/18/2006 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 18, 2006
LEWISBURG - Bucknell, coming off a 2005 second-place finish in Patriot League regular season standings, will field one of its more experienced teams in recent years with a roster that includes seven seniors. The Bison also return plenty of talent, including eight of 11 returning starters and four players with All-Patriot League honors.
"There is no doubt this is one of the older teams I've had in 15 seasons at Bucknell. What's fantastic about this group is how athletic and how deep we are," comments head coach Heather Lewis. "We will have the opportunity to play upwards of 17 or 18 players a game and that can make us very dangerous in an up-tempo style."
ATTACK
The Bison offense will be led by a pair of seniors in Anne Lutz and Katie Urosevich. Urosevich uses her pure speed to constantly put opposing defenders on their heels and forces them to play recovery defense. As Lewis points out, "Katie is probably the fastest player I have coached in all of my years. Her pure speed with the ball is virtually impossible to defend; you simply can't catch her."
Urosevich looks to complete her four-year career from former walk-on to an All-League performer. "Katie has worked so hard at her finishing skills that I believe, in her final season, she is ready to put it all together. If she collects all-league honors at the end of this year, it will come as no surprise to me...she is that good," according to Lewis.
Lutz is one of the more versatile players on the squad. A converted midfielder, Lutz brings a creative and feisty presence to the forward line and is also the team's most experienced penalty corner stopper. "Anne is a very steady player for us and a critical piece in our penalty corner efficiency. It's important to our success that we have Anne on the field, be it in the midfield or forward line," says Lewis.
Complementing this senior duo will be a host of underclass players ready to make their mark. Juniors Katie Leinen and Chyncia Smith, along with returning sophomores Trina Boyer, Sarah Herrmann and Jacquie Kataneksza, provide the Bison attack with plenty of firepower in 2006. Leinen, according to Lewis is, "one of the more creative players with the ball and one of our most confident in attacking opposing defenders." A part-time starter in 2005, Leinen is expected to increase her scoring output from a season ago.
Smith, a converted defender and an outstanding athlete, provides the Bison attack with a very dangerous and speedy forward in the open field.
"Chyncia's first step in the open field combined with outstanding hands in possession, make her an ideal front line player," says Lewis. "The fact that she is also an experienced defender affords us the opportunity to play a pressing style of defense which begins up front."
The sophomore trio is an example of contrasting yet successful styles of forward line play. Boyer is most dangerous in the open field with her speed and elimination skills while Herrmann carries the label of "having a nose for the goal" and Kataneksza is probably the most effective Bison at creating her own shot.
"We got very lucky with this sophomore class. All three are effective and dangerous in their approach to scoring goals. It's a wonderful balance when the three - Boyer, Herrmann and Kataneksza - play on the same line...we become a very dangerous and threatening attacking team."
The forecast for the Bison attack is a promising one with plenty of experience, athleticism and talent. Lewis is quick to point out that her attacking unit will be one of the keys to success in 2006.
"I think we'll see a very balanced but dynamic and dangerous attacking unit for us this year. One of our strengths will be having so many weapons on attack that you can't just key in on one person...we have a number of folks who can score goals this year."
MIDFIELD
While the numbers may not be huge, the talent of the Bison midfield will be evident from day one. Leading the way will be seniors Callista Costopoulos and Alex Kyzmir, two returning starters from 2005. Figure in juniors Kelly Hoffman and Lindsey Weller and Bucknell is able to field a very experienced midfield unit.
Kyzmir is a two-time All-Patriot League selection and the team's leading returning scorer. "Alex is an extremely gifted athlete with the potential to be one of the best this league offers," predicts Lewis. "She is not only one of our more dangerous players in the open field; she has the unique combination of also being one of this team's better defensive players."
Costopoulos, an All-Patriot League selection in 2004, is one of better distributors of the ball. She's also a potent penalty corner threat, a talent Lewis intends on taking full advantage of.
"Callista's vision combined with her passing skills allows us to play an `up-tempo' style of hockey. Not only will she be instrumental in creating scoring opportunities from the midfield, Callista will be one of our primary scoring options from our penalty corner unit as well."
Hoffman might very well be the most improved player on this year's squad. As the team's "quarterback" at the center midfield spot, Hoffman is expected to control the tempo of the game. A fierce competitor, Hoffman is fully recovered from an injury-riddled sophomore year and poised to make her mark in league play this year. Lewis expects Hoffman to have a "break out" season in 2006.
"Kelly was unbelievable this past spring and really demonstrated a firm grasp of how our system works. She is such a workhorse at the center midfield position and really sets the tone of our team. She has yet to really reach her potential and I'm excited for Kelly to have a healthy and very productive junior year."
Classmate Lindsey Weller, one of the most intelligent players on the team, will join forces with Hoffman in the midfield. An athlete with exceptional vision and very good defensive skills, Weller made the transition from forward to midfield during the spring season.
"In looking at Lindsey's strengths, I thought she was more suited as a midfielder and she could certainly provide us much-needed depth at that line," explains Lewis. "We certainly aren't going to restrict Lindsey to the midfield as she can be a very dangerous forward. I truly believe her experiences in playing the midfield make Lindsey a dangerous forward. I would expect her to see time on both lines of attack."
And while the team will rely heavily on a midfield unit of five established players, Lewis has no fear the lack of depth will hurt the Bison.
"Ideally I would like a few more experienced players on our midfield line but what we're finding is our incoming class is capable of providing that necessary depth. And, I am confident this group can handle the physical toll it takes to compete at a high level in the midfield position. We'll be a bit more flexible in our positioning and rotation but I think we'll be just fine once the rotation is established."
DEFENSE
The cornerstone for success lies in the defensive foundation established through the 2005 season and 2006 spring season.
"We had a simple theme in spring season last year - `we must defend better' - and this team has openly and readily embraced that philosophy," states Lewis. And, she also recognizes the Bison are not short on defensive talent. "To have two returning all-league players in our defensive unit is why I am so optimistic we will be a better defensive team this season."
Leading the way will be 2005 Patriot League Co-Rookie of the Year Amanda Faust and classmate Steph Graf, both Second Team All-Patriot League selections. Despite distinctly different styles of play, Faust and Graf were recognized for their outstanding contributions on the defensive end of the field. Faust, the team's primary threat on offensive corners is known for her tackling and distribution skills.
"Amanda's deceptive ability to distribute the ball allows for instant offense generated from our transition. She has exceptional passing skills and is very difficult to defend from set pieces," comments Lewis. "In addition to her defensive presence, all teams must now contend with how they'll defend her in attacking penalty corners...she's that dangerous."
Graf, on the other hand, is not a flashy player and is rarely noticed - only because she is so talented at playing the most difficult position on the field at left side defense.
"What is so impressive about Steph is that while her ideal position is midfield, she is so very good at left side defense that we can't afford to move her out of that position," says Lewis.
The team's most consistent performer, Lewis is confident Graf will be an even better defender in 2006, "Steph spent her entire first year, quite successfully, transitioning to deep defense. I'm not sure she ever makes a critical mistake - one that leads directly to a goal. A remarkably gifted and extremely coachable athlete, Steph not only provides me confidence, more importantly she provides the confidence to those playing around her."
Complementing Faust and Graf will be seniors Heather Rogers and Sheri Keener and sophomores Emily Hutchison and Katie Ruiz.
The longest tenured player on defense is senior Heather Rogers, a starter or key reserve in each of the last two seasons. Rogers is instrumental in organizing teammates around her and her vocal direction will figure prominently in the improved defensive efforts.
"Heather's vocal organizing of our team defense is a valuable skill that all of her teammates can learn from. She has a wealth of experience and we will rely on her poise and direction to lead us through challenging situations," Lewis notes.
Classmate Sheri Keener and rising sophomore Katie Ruiz will provide the necessary depth at defense. Keener, a former walk-on, has improved steadily each of her first three seasons and will be expected to mentor the younger players.
"Sheri has shown steady progress each season and her work ethic is so valuable in our defensive end," says Lewis. "I would expect her improvement to continue and her talents afford us some flexibility in our team defense."
"Emily (Hutchison) is a very deceptive player in her passing and elimination skills. She has shown us tremendous game awareness and vision and couples those talents with a solid defensive foundation and we believe Emily will be a significant factor in our team defense," comments Lewis.
Ruiz, who saw limited action last fall, had the opportunity to gain invaluable experience during the spring season and is ready to challenge for increased playing time.
"Katie is a one of those rare players with natural defensive instincts. She anticipates the play so well from a defensive perspective and therefore is usually in position for interceptions or solid tackles," Lewis states.
Given the returning talent of the defensive unit, it is no wonder Lewis is optimistic in her team's ability to respond to her simple challenge of "we must defend better."
"We spent considerable time this past off-season improving not only our individual defensive efforts but also our team defense. I can only think that such a concerted effort will lead to improved play."
GOALKEEPING
While many folks might think the Bison have a considerable task in replacing the 2005 Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year in Liz Jordan, head coach Heather Lewis isn't among them.
"I know so many people believe we're in trouble now that Liz has graduated. What they don't know is how talented Emily Groendyke is. We've been so fortunate to have two very talented goalkeepers and 2006 is Emily's time to shine."
Despite seeing limited action in her first three seasons, Groendyke was fortunate to be challenged daily by one the finest goalkeepers I've had the opportunity to coach. She has demonstrated outstanding circle awareness, the ability to take command of her circle and very good clearing skills - all traits necessary to continue the Bison tradition of outstanding goalkeeping.
"I've been able to watch Emily compete daily the past three years and that's why I'm not worried...not in the least bit. I've witnessed some outstanding performances by Emily and the fact that she's been so patient in waiting for her opportunity...well, I know she's ready," Lewis shares.
NEWCOMERS
"We went into the recruiting process last year with an emphasis on securing our goalkeeping future and were quite successful in Jessie and Diana," says Lewis.
The Bison were able to secure to incoming goalkeepers in Jessie Atieh and Diana Bartley.
Atieh hails from Caldwell, N.J., and West Essex High School while Bartley is from Basking Ridge, N.J., and Ridge High School. Both played in New Jersey State championship games in 2005 with Atieh's West Essex team winning the title and Bartley's Ridge team coming in second.
In addition to Atieh and Bartley, Bucknell was able to recruit two outstanding high school prospects from Pennsylvania, Sarah Ebright and Megan Krebs.
 Senior Katie Urosevich was selected co-captain for 2006 season.  |
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Ebright hails from the state powerhouse Lower Dauphin program and is an outstanding defender with the potential to make immediate and significant contributions. Krebs, from G.A.R. Memorial High School, was instrumental in leading her team to its first-ever district championship. She is expected to make significant contributions in the midfield.
"We worked very hard in the recruitment of Sarah and Megan as they were at the top of our list beginning in their junior year," explains Lewis. "I believe each has the talent to make significant contributions this season. Sarah is an outstanding defender with the potential to step in right away and Megan could play just about anywhere on the field - she's that versatile and complete a player."
In addition, Bucknell was able to secure a commitment from Alex Gomez during the early decision process. Another versatile performer, Gomez will be able to provide necessary depth at either midfield or defense. "Ironically, I recruited Alex as a forward line player but she has spent the better part of the last year as a midfielder or defender. These experiences will only make our program better as she affords me the luxury of having greater flexibility in our rotation," comments Lewis.
The lone forward in the newcomers is Austin Thomas, also of Pennsylvania and nearby Tunkhannock High School. "Austin is so gifted athletically and once her skills are refined and able to match that athleticism, I believe she'll be very dangerous for us," says Lewis. Lewis praises Austin's rapid improvement, stating, "Already, she has shown so much improvement in just these initial days of preseason; I think we found a `hidden gem' in Austin."
The final piece in our recruiting efforts was landing transfer student Rudo Mawema, a teammate of current Bison Jacquie Kataneksza on the Zimbabwe Junior National Team.
"When you're able to secure a player with the international experience that Rudo has, it can only enhance our individual and team development," says Lewis. "I'm excited for Rudo to join our program and bring with her a diverse but effective style of play."
COACH LEWIS' OUTLOOK
"If I were to use one word to describe the 2006 season I immediately think `excited." Having had the opportunity to work with this team through the spring and having witnessed their maturity through the end of last season, I think we're in a fortunate position to keep with the very best in the league.
"We are blessed with some outstanding athletes, some very talented hockey players and a group that has worked extremely hard at their team chemistry. I'm fortunate to have two outstanding leaders in Katie Urosevich and Callista Costopoulos as team captains and will look to them for their guidance in mentoring this team.
We expect to move forward with our themes of `we must defend better' and `we must be a threat with the ball'. If we can meet with success at both of those, I feel confident in our ability to compete for that elusive championship."
