Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Field Hockey Opens 2007 Season In Columbus, Ohio
8/22/2007 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 22, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa. - After receiving three points in the NFHCA Top-20 Division I Preseason Poll on Tuesday, the Bucknell field hockey team is set to travel to Columbus, Ohio, this weekend to open its 2007 campaign.
The Bison (ranked no. 4 for the Patriot League with 25 points in the league's preseason poll) will take on Kent State on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., and will face Ohio State on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
It is no wonder expectations run high in the Bucknell field hockey program for 2007 as the Bison return seven starters, including three of its top five scorers and the entire defensive unit from 2006.
"This team set the foundation in place last spring with a dedicated and focused effort by each player to improve their individual weaknesses and, at the same time, enhance our team efficiency on both ends of the field," said long-time head coach Heather Lewis.
The Bison will be in search of the program's first-ever Patriot League championship and if experience is any indication, Bucknell is poised for a record-breaking season.
"We're fortunate to return so many talented players, including three all-league performers. In addition, we will welcome one of our strongest recruiting classes in program history. How we balance this delicate blend of youthful exuberance and skillful experience will determine our season's fate," comments Lewis.
 Junior Amanda Faust  |
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DEFENSE
To meet with continued defensive success, a mainstay of all teams coached by Lewis, the Bison will rely on a unit that returns all starters from a season ago, including two regional All-Americans in juniors Amanda Faust (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Valley West) and Steph Graf (Jamison, Pa./Central Bucks East).
"You couldn't find two more diverse players in Amanda and Steph, yet both are equally effective in their roles as defensive leaders," notes Lewis. "Amanda's presence is immediate and obvious not only because of her tackling and distribution skills but also her role as our team's primary penalty corner option. In contrast, Steph is as unassuming a player I've ever coached, yet one of the smartest I've worked with."
Complementing this duo will be classmate Emily Hutchinson (Leola, Pa./Conestoga Valley) and sophomore Sarah Ebright (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin). Ebright is the vocal leader of the Bison defensive unit while Hutchison could be considered the intellect in part because of her excellent decision-making.
"What I've noticed in Sarah is a rising confidence to be more vocal and demanding on the defensive end," says Lewis. "She reads the play exceptionally well and is ideal to play our deep center back position."
As is often the case, some of the most important players might go unnoticed on the field and that is the case with Hutchison. "Emily is such a `cerebral' player and her decision-making is outstanding," Lewis states. "She is quite capable of controlling our transitional distribution given her intelligence and deceptiveness in her passing skills."
A pair of rising juniors and three incoming first-year players will provide the necessary depth for the Bison defense. Junior Rudo Mawema (Harare, Zimbabwe/Dominican Convent) and junior Katie Ruiz (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg) return for their second and third seasons, respectively, and will be crucial in providing the guidance to freshmen newcomers Suzanne Arian (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights), Johnna Simoes (San Diego, Calif./Torrey Pines H.S.) and Christine Weiss (Bethlehem, Pa./Southern Lehigh H.S.).
"One of Rudo's greatest strengths is her ability to make a difference in our penalty corner defense she is an exceptional flyer. We hope to take advantage of her athleticism as she can play very attacking hockey from the back of the field," Lewis points out.
For Ruiz, she possesses some of the best tackling and interception skills on the team. And, this has not gone unnoticed by Lewis. "When Katie has the confidence, her ability to step up and intercept and her tackling timing are outstanding. Our goal now is to get Katie to play with such confidence on a consistent basis."
The unknown in all of this is how quickly the newcomers can adapt to the physical style of Division I field hockey. Lewis anticipates this development to be quick and very beneficial for Bucknell. "We have three outstanding defenders in our incoming group of first-year players and it's quite possible they'll make immediate contributions in their first season."
So much depth allows for line-up flexibility and Lewis intends on taking full advantage.
"We have so many talented defenders that we, as a coaching staff, will consider changing roles for some of our returners. In order for us to maximize our talent, it's quite possible Amanda or Emily could find themselves in our midfield unit," Lewis said.
GOALKEEPING
One position set in stone is sophomore Jessie Atieh (North Caldwell, N.J./West Essex), who assumes the role of starting goalkeeper. Atieh replaces graduated senior Emily Groendyke.
"We recruited Jessie two years ago with the thought that she would have the opportunity to step into this role in 2007," says Lewis. "She is more than prepared for this opportunity and we're excited for her. Jessie brings such high energy to the field and this will only enhance our defensive performance."
Despite limited game experience in the fall of 2006, Atieh was able to secure extensive game opportunities this past spring and those experiences have provided her a sound foundation for the upcoming season. She has exhibited outstanding reaction timing in her saves and is excellent in the air. Having the opportunity to work solely with assistant coach Melissa Bostwick will provide her the appropriate guidance and preparation for the season.
MIDFIELD
Through diligent recruiting efforts and positional changes the Bison midfield has added exceptional talent and necessary depth to compete in 2007. Senior co-captain and returning All-League performer Kelly Hoffman (Boyertown, Pa./Oley Valley) will be the anchor of a talented but inexperienced midfield unit.
"I will say our midfield line has the potential to be one of our best-ever in my 16 years as head coach," comments Lewis. "Kelly will provide the leadership and will assist newcomers as they transition to Division I hockey."
Two newcomers in particular - Corinne Raczek (Ocean Township, N.J./Ocean Township) and Morgan Kauffman (Millersville, Pa./Penn Manor H.S.) - are expected to provide immediate contributions according to Lewis. "I wouldn't be surprised if we had one or two first-year athletes in our starting midfield. Certainly, I expect both Corinne and Morgan to have an immediate impact on our program's success."
"In addition, considering the possibility of moving Amanda Faust to middie, we could possibly field one of the strongest midfield lines in the league," Lewis predicts. To improve the depth of this unit, Lewis will rely on sophomore Alex Gomez (Hockessin, Del./Tatnall) along with a couple of forwards, sophomore Megan Krebs (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./GAR Memorial) and senior Chyncia Smith (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) who are capable of competing in the middle of the field.
ATTACK
One unit where depth is not a factor is the attacking line, one of incredible speed and athleticism. As Lewis shares, "Our athleticism will not be a weakness on the front line, that's for sure. We are blessed with incredible speed and lots of it."
Senior co-captains Katie Leinen (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East), Smith, and Lindsey Weller (Gaithersburg, Md./Quince Orchard) will provide the leadership while returning starters, junior Trina Boyer (Macungie, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) and Krebs are expected to improve on last year's scoring totals.
"We are remarkably blessed to have considerable depth and leadership in our senior forwards. They will set the expectations for our scoring output and establish the tone we expect, defensively, from our forward line," comments Lewis.
Boyer, a junior, established herself as an open field and set piece scoring threat, and Lewis anticipates similar results in 2007. "Once we inserted Trina into the starting lineup last season, her confidence soared and so, too, did her scoring totals. Given her work ethic the past six months, I anticipate even greater scoring production from Trina.
 Sophomore Megan Krebs |
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Krebs established herself as a scoring threat in the spring season and Lewis sees the potential for a bona fide top scorer in the Patriot League in Krebs. "I noticed Megan start to assert herself more in the attacking circle and was noticeably involved in our scoring efforts this past spring. If she continues her improvement, Megan could very easily be a threat opponents will need to contain."
Juniors Sarah Herrmann (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) and Jacquie Kataneksza (Harare, Zimbabwe/Arundel School), along with sophomore Austin Thomas (Tunkhannock, Pa./Tunkhannock) will factor heavily in our rotation.
Lewis is quick to point out that all forwards will have accountability to the Bison attack. "I've noticed a renewed commitment on Jacquie's part to play at the level of a Zimbabwe Junior National Team member. She has been diligent at improving her fitness and individual defensive efforts. She is one of our best at `getting a shot off' and we intend on maximizing that talent."
For Herrmann and Thomas, their contributions will center around the tipping ability of Herrmann and the athleticism of Thomas. "Sarah is one of this team's best at `finishing' in the circle and we hope she continues to find that touch. For Austin, who continues to improve on a daily basis, we'll rely on her athleticism and versatility," says Lewis.
And finally, due to persistent recruiting efforts, Lewis feels the coaching staff was able to land one of the country's best natural scorers in first-year Kelly Bruvik (Skillman, N.J./Stuart County Day). "Kelly is a rarity, a pure, natural goal-scorer and we were blessed she chose Bucknell over some wonderful opportunities. We feel confident that Kelly will immediately enhance our goal-scoring production and threat in the open field."
SCHEDULE
In keeping with high expectations, Lewis has put together a challenging schedule including Big-Ten champion Ohio State along with fellow Big-Ten member Penn State. In addition, the Bison non-conference schedule includes Georgetown, Kent State, La Salle, Monmouth, Saint Francis, Delaware and Towson of the Colonial Athletic Association, Cornell and Penn out of the Ivy League, and reigning Northeast Conference champion Lock Haven.
The Patriot League figures to be a wide open contest in 2007 and the Bison will host American, Holy Cross and Lafayette while traveling to Colgate and Lehigh.
"I had a particular purpose when putting together this schedule," comments Lewis. "It was my goal to challenge this team immediately and have us face as daunting a non-league schedule in preparation for a run at a Patriot League championship. I feel confident this team is ready and excited for the challenges of 2007."
COACH LEWIS' OUTLOOK
"When I think about this coming season, I look at it as another step in a journey we embarked on a few years ago. We, as a staff, made a conscious effort to identify and recruit prospective student-athletes who fit the core values of this program - respect, hard work, team oriented, committed, humorous - and we feel confident the makeup of this team is just that."
"I feel confident this team is ready to accept the challenges of a rigorous schedule and they certainly have the determination for and focus on a championship."
"We are blessed with some outstanding athleticism and are fortunate to have tremendous leadership two qualities necessary to meet with success on the field."
"You will hear a consistent message from myself and everyone associated with this program and that is, `Win the Moment.' This season is all about living and winning the moment. We will not allow ourselves to look ahead nor worry about what has passed; we will simply focus on what is right in front of us at any particular moment."
