2011 Davidson Field Hockey Outlook

Field Hockey Team Pictures at DavidsonPhotos.com

The Davidson Wildcat field hockey team is primed to not only defend their NorPac East regular season championship, but to contend for the conference tournament title.

Coming off one of the best seasons in program history, reigning NorPac Coach of the Year Ginny Turner, who will be entering her fifth season at the helm, has an experienced and hungry squad looking to remain on top of the East Division and take on western powers Stanford and California.

“We had a really good spring, and over the summer I heard nothing but awesome things from the girls,” said Turner. “They're pumped for the season and excited for all the things we are going to do.”

On the field, the Wildcats return a strong upper class that includes the reigning NorPac East Offensive Player and Player of the Year, junior Finley Amato. It also includes eight seniors who are all expected to make big contributions and several other juniors in crucial roles. With a talented group of underclassmen challenging the veterans for time on the field, depth will be a strength for the 'Cats.

“We have a lot of people and it's going to be tough to figure out who deserves the starting nod,” said Turner. “I feel really confident in putting everyone on the field because they have so much experience now. With eight rising seniors, every single one of them will be able to contribute something and make an impact wherever they are on the field.”

A challenging slate awaits the 'Cats as they will face four teams in non-conference play ranked in the preseason Top 20 nationally. The early season tests will prepare them for a competitive conference schedule and postseason play.

“Winning NorPac is our goal every year,” said Turner. “Last year we went in thinking we had an awesome chance to do it. I think this year we go in with an even better chance, and we're even more ready to beat them.”

Attack
Junior Finley Amato is the team's active career-scoring leader after scoring 16 goals and seven assists for a single-season, school-record 39 points, and she is expected to remain one of Davidson's top weapons. Her offensive production was a major factor in the Wildcats' 2010 success and it also helped the Wildcats break their single-season team record for most goals scored, as the 'Cats scored 60 times.

“Some of the individual players are going to have a lot pressure on them to perform well, but we're keeping a 'team effort' mindset this fall,” said Turner. “Someone like Finley might have a big bull's eye on her back of people trying to shut her down.”

Amato is certainly not Davidson's lone scoring threat if opposing defenses single her out. Senior Christine Rua was also among the conference leaders in scoring last season too, enjoying a breakout junior season with 11 goals and two assists.
Classmate Meg Jarrell and sophomore Tyler McFayden will also look to be big contributors up front, and with offensive contributions from the midfield, stopping the 'Cats should prove difficult for opponents.

Midfield
Despite losing all-conference players Jenny Mostellar and Clare Perry to graduation, the midfield is expected to remain strong with experienced and talented options. Seniors Hannah English and Gray Robinson, junior Annie Evans and sophomore Brook Osborne were all consistent starters last season. Robinson excelled with a career-year offensively, while Evans' scoring touch also improved. Osborne stepped in as a freshman and proved valuable as a playmaker. English's big shot, playmaking and leadership will also be relied upon.

“Hannah will be a huge leader on the field,” said Turner. “At her point on the field she can control everybody from working with the forwards and working with the backs.”

Senior Krista Jackson is coming off a great spring and will likely see an expanded role on the field. The only question seems to be who will take over the center-half spot Perry held, but with several versatile players to choose from, Turner has plenty of options.

Defense
With all of the success the 'Cats had offensively last season, overlooking the contributions the defense made would be a mistake. The 'Cats averaged one less goal per game allowed from the year before, which is a huge difference considering half of Davidson's 2010 wins were decided by one goal (three in overtime). The Wildcats could be even tougher to crack in 2011, as they return all of their defensive starters: seniors Hannah Lawrence and Steph Meador, and their goalkeeper, junior Sarah Fisher.

Meador was named to the all-conference and NorPac All-Tournament teams for the first time in her career last season and Lawrence led the team with four defensive saves. Fisher, a key team leader, also earned an all-tournament nod and was second in the conference in save percentage and goals against average.

Junior defender Madison Parrish could see more time on the field after what Turner described as a “phenomenal” spring.

“Maddie was able to step in and she played a ton, and kind of put everything out on the line,” said Turner. “I feel like she definitely has worked to earn a starting spot and has a lot of potential.”

Sophomore Carolyn Macek will backup Fisher, and both goalkeepers will look to further improve with the addition of goalkeeper coach Kelly Lawler.

Newcomers
Madeline Herder, Kaity Anstrom, Julia Guthrie, Sara French and Kristy Helscel join the squad as freshmen this season. It will be tough for them to earn playing time with so much experience returning, but they have the talent to step-in when needed.

“I think they can be a very good compliment to the team we have right now,” said Turner. “Skill-wise, they are already on the same level as a lot of the girls on the team, so it will just be making sure they fit in and pick up our style of play, and adjust to the fast pace of a college game.”

Schedule
Davidson's 12-game non-conference schedule includes some exciting challenges for the 'Cats.

“When we released this year's schedule, the girls were ecstatic about some of the teams we are playing,” said Turner. “There are a few different ones and a bunch of top-20 teams. I think it's a really well balanced schedule in terms of us having a lot of success this fall.”

They will open the season at the Georgetown Invitational against Georgetown and LaSalle (Aug. 26 & 27) before hosting perennial top-20 team Louisville in the home opener Sept. 3. The Wildcats will then hit the road to take on Virginia rivals William & Mary and VCU before heading to upstate New York to take on 2010 NCAA participant and top-20 team Albany and Siena.

The 'Cats return home Sept. 24 to host Robert Morris and then head east to take on NCAA runner-up North Carolina. Their first conference match will be against Longwood at Belk Turf Field Oct. 1 before they head north to Boone to take on NorPac foe Appalachian State.

Davidson will face Saint Louis in Richmond, Va. and then take on another top-20 team in Wake Forest Oct. 11. They will then travel to Radford before their final non-conference game against first-year program Liberty Oct. 16 at home. The regular season slate concludes with three conference games: a road match against Longwood (Oct. 22) and home contests against App. State (Oct. 26) and Radford (Oct. 29).

The NorPac tournament will be hosted by Stanford Nov. 3-5.

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