Aug. 21, 2010

Photo Gallery: Field hockey's first practice of the 2010 season

The UMass Lowell field hockey team arrived on campus, ready to tackle the 2010 season, on Saturday afternoon. The squad came together for team meetings and the start of practice, as the fall season officially commenced.

The team is coming off an 18-6 season that saw them reach their third consecutive National Title game and with the closest contest in as many years, they are ready not only to knock on the door of a National Championship, but to finally take one home for the first time since 2005.

Ninth-year head coach Shannon Hlebichuk returns 15 veterans from last year’s squad, including the top two scorers in Longstreth/NFHCA First Team All-American Sammy Macy (Tewksbury, Mass.) and Second Team All-American Katie Enaire (Amesbury, Mass.).

“We are excited to get on the field and start preparing for the 2010 season,” Hlebichuk said. “After the first practice, it is clear that the team took their summer training to the next level. Everyone seems to be both mentally and physically prepared for what we hope to be the longest season in UMass Lowell Field Hockey history.”

The season has been extended through the National Championship game on December 4, later than ever before, to include multiple fall sports in the Fall Festival held in Louisville, Ky. Hlebichuk believes her team has put themselves in a position to still be playing while the cold weather begins to hit New England.

Joining Macy as tri-captains of the squad, Liz Day (North Andover, Mass.) and Jaime Hadley (Chelmsford, Mass.) will anchor the midfield and defensive lines, holding opponents’ shots on goal low and allowing the River Hawk offense to shine.

Last season, the squad ranked first in the Northeast-10 and third in the nation with 3.71 goals per game, only allowing an average of 5.3 shots on goal by opponents. Their scoring margin was a conference-best 2.17 goals per game and the depth of experience on the team will look to keep their odds the same.

Hlebichuk also welcomes eight freshmen to the team, a group whose hometowns span the entire nation, mixing varying styles of play with one common denominator: impressive talent. Hlebichuk looks to incorporate her freshmen into the mix from the start and believes they will fit right into the River Hawks’ tradition of excellence.

The River Hawks, who were selected second in the NE-10 Preseason Coaches Poll, will host their first game of the season on Cushing Field, where they will take on Mansfield on Friday, Sept. 3 at 1:00 p.m. They will then hit the road for a five-game stretch, before returning home to take on conference-rival Stonehill on Sept. 22.