Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Field Hockey Announces 2007 Captains
2/20/2007 7:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Feb. 20, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa - Head coach Heather Lewis of the Bucknell field hockey program recently announced that Kelly Hoffman (Boyertown, Pa./Oley Valley), Katie Leinen (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East), Chyncia Smith (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central), and Lindsey Weller (Gaithersburg, Md./Quince Orchard), who will all be seniors next fall, will serve as team captains in 2007. It is the first time in the 34-year history of the program four players will captain the squad.
Hoffman earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors this past season. A key member of the Bucknell defense in the midfield position, Hoffman started all 17 games for the Orange and Blue. She posted two goals and two assists for six points, in addition to a game-winning goal against St. Francis (Pa.). Hoffman was a member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and was awarded the Elizabeth Goodall Award for Merit.
"Kelly returns for her final season as one of our starting midfielders," said Lewis, who just completed her 15th season as the Bucknell head coach. "She is a leader by example and epitomizes the phrase `hard worker.' As a coach, its been a pleasure to watch her mature into the type of player that my Patriot League colleagues recognize as a key contributor on our squad by virtue of her all-league selection in 2006."
Leinen saw action in 15 games this past season. She assisted on two goals for a total of two points in the forward position. Leinen earned a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll list by producing a 4.0 grade-point average for the 2006 fall semester.
"Katie has always put the team before herself and is symbolic of the phrase `consummate team player.'" said Lewis. "She comes to practice every single day with the goal of working as hard as she can to improve herself and to also make this team better. I can think of no better role model for our younger players."
Smith played in all 17 games, including four starts for the Bison. She tallied five goals, including one game winner, for a total of 10 points. Smith's five goals tied her for third on the squad.
"As a team, we've spent a considerable amount of time focusing on `playing with heart,'" replied Lewis, who has coached four Patriot League Scholar Athletes in her tenure. "For Chyncia, she knows no other way. She brings a level of passion to our program that is contagious for those around her. I have no doubt the 2007 Bucknell field hockey team will compete every day with heart as the primary motivator."
Weller saw action in nine contests in the forward spot. She notched a spot on the Patriot League Honor Roll squad this past season.
"When you talk of accountability, Lindsey does such an outstanding job of not only holding herself accountable to program expectations but to her teammates as well," commented Lewis. "Lindsey, despite a very quiet persona, will be the vocal leader of this group. She will accept the responsibility to make sure we get it done."
