Field Hockey 2007 Preview

Perhaps the most striking quality of the UMass Lowell field hockey program is this: after four NCAA Tournament semifinal/championship appearances and Northeast-10 Conference Tournament titles, there has been no drop in talent or intensity, no rebuilding period.

With the graduation of some of the best players in program history – including its all-time leading scorer (Sara Hohenberger) and one of its best defenders (Kim Villare) – there will be a degree of transition. But if it is anything like last year, where the River Hawks graduated four of the best players in program history, they can expect to remain at the forefront of the NE-10.

Fresh off the 2005 NCAA Division II Championship, there was no encore in 2006, but the River Hawks peaked when they needed to, winning eight straight and 13 of their last 14 matches entering the NCAAs, including a fourth consecutive NE-10 Tournament championship.

"I like our athleticism," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk.  "Even though we're young, we have depth at all positions. Where our youth comes in, we need to stay disciplined. We have some people in new positions and everyone needs to gain a better understanding of their position."

Goals From Everywhere

The loss of Hohenberger is a significant blow, but five of UML's top six scorers, who combined for 29 goals and 23 assists, return. Leading the way will be sophomore Jaci Moulton (Baldwinville, MA), who played like a veteran with eight goals and eight assists (24 points) last year.

Junior Michelle Harrington (6-7-19) also proved to be a potent scorer from the midfield and will play a similar role in 2007. Senior captain Jayne Vagenas (Harwich, MA), a key player on UML's corners, emerged from the defense to have a hand in 11 goals (7-4-11).

Vagenas was also a key cog in UML's school-record 0.99 goals against average and helped shutout seven opponents a year ago.

Hlebichuk can also count on more production from juniors Jill Tierney (Newburyport, MA) and Missy Seeley (East Hampstead, NH), both of whom had breakout seasons in 2006. Tierney scored six goals, including three against nationally-ranked teams, while Seeley quietly chipped in 2-4-8 from the midfield.

SophomoreSasha Lovejoy (Kennebunk, ME) is also expected to contribute after seven appearances in 2006 while junior Jessica Ellis (Nashua, NH), limited to five matches last year, is also expected to factor in. Sophomore Kaye Kenney (Goffstown, NH) will redshirt the year due to an injury.

Lining up with Seeley in the midfield will likely be junior Heather Woodward (Ashburnham, MA), who played in 16 games last year with one start. Also biding for more time will be sophomores Kayla Lesage (Amesbury, MA) and Molly Clay (Rockport, MA), both of whom saw action in seven matches a year ago.

Defense a Tradition

Since Hlebichuk took over the program in 2002, UML has averaged nearly 60 goals per season. But defense has equally been a staple of the program, evidenced by UML's goals against averages since 2003: 1.12, 1.08, 1.14 and last year's benchmark 0.99.

Led by Vagenas and sophomore Ashley Smith (Killingworth, CT), opponents can expect UML to maintain its defensive prowess. Smith saw action in all 23 games with 20 starts while sophomore Laura Sullivan (Norwood, MA), who made nine appearances last year, will also be tipped for more action.

Junior Danielle Dodier (Kensington, NH) is expected to start in goal after playing in eight matches (three starts) a year ago. Dodier posted a 2-1 record with a 0.95 goals against average and one shutout.

"We're returning two starting defenders out of the four, so there will be a learning curve," Hlebichuk said. "With the addition of Lauren Sickel (assistant coach, former Providence College All-American) working with the defense, I think we will see some improvement over the course of the season."

The New Class

Hlebichuk welcomes eight new faces to the 2007 squad which will add immediate depth and impact at all positions.

UML's class of 2011 shares an impressive quality: each has the chance to be an impact player.

To compensate for last year's scoring losses, five newcomers will battle for time immediately after enjoying storied high school careers.

Freshman Lizzy Ales (Arlington, MA) joins the squad following a pair of Greater Boston League all-star honors in both field hockey and ice hockey at Arlington H.S. while Michelle Perrault (Chelmsford, MA), a three-year player at Chelmsford H.S., was a Merrimack Valley Conference all-star as a junior and a senior.

Also looking to make an immediate impact is freshmen Sammy Macy (Tewksbury, MA), Liz Day (North Andover, MA) and Katie Enaire (Amesbury, MA).

Macy was the Merrimack Valley Conference Player of the Year and two-time MVC all-star at Tewksbury H.S. while Day was the Cape Ann League Player of the Year and a Best of 60 honoree while at North Andover H.S.

Also a Best of 60 standout, Enaire was a Cape Ann League all-star at Amesbury H.S.

Defensively, freshmen Jaime Hadley (Chelmsford, MA) aims to break into the back four while Kate Hickey (Medway, MA) and Amy Carbon (Bellingham, MA) will each add immediate depth in the cage.

A teammate of Perrault's at Chelmsford H.S., Hadley was a three-time MVC all-star during her four-year career.

A three-year starting goalkeeper at Medway H.S., Hickey was a two-time Tri-Valley League all-star in both field hockey and lacrosse.

Carbon was a four-year starting goalkeeper at Bellingham, H.S. where she compiled impressive figures and led all goalkeepers in the TVL en route to the conference championship.

"I think this group provides the depth we need," Hlebichuk said. "This a very athletic group, probably the most athletic class we've had. I like the fact that each of them played multiple sports in high school, and I think we will benefit from that. These are very well-rounded student-athletes.