Wildcats Open Inaugural A-10 Season With Pair of Games

Saturday, August 30

Davidson, N.C.

2:00 p.m.

Davidson College Athletics

Georgetown

Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com

Wildcats Open Inaugural A-10 Season With Pair of Games

8/29/2014 10:23:00 AM | Field Hockey

DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Davidson field hockey team will open its inaugural Atlantic 10 campaign this weekend with a pair of matchups. The Wildcats welcome Georgetown to Belk Turf Field Saturday, Aug. 30 before traveling to Boone, N.C., to play Ball State Sunday, Aug. 31.

About Davidson
Davidson returns 16 players for the 2014 season. The group of returning letterwinners is highlighted by seven starters. The Wildcats posted a 6-14 overall mark, while going 2-6 in conference play.

Captains
Senior Madeline Herder and junior Melissa Funsten were elected captains for the 2014 season. Herder was a consistent part of the defensive unit for the Wildcats, starting each of the 20 games last season. Herder registered one defensive save against Longwood. Funsten was a force on both sides of the ball finishing the year with seven goals and two assists.

Season Openers
Davidson has won nine of the last 15 season openers to own a 20-17 record in the first game of the season. Under current head coach Ginny Turner the Wildcats are 4-3 on opening day after topping Georgetown, 6-0, last year.

Schedule
In July, Davidson became the ninth field hockey-playing member of the Atlantic 10 conference. The Wildcats' slate includes eight matches against A-10 opponents as part of their 19-game schedule. Davidson will also play the likes of Wake Forest, Monmouth, William & Mary, Missouri State, James Madison and Vermont among some of their non-conference opponents.

In the Cage
One season ago, senior Carolyn Macek stepped up to take over for Sarah Fisher '13. Macek turned in a .627 save percentage in her final collegiate season. The Wildcats will now look to juniors Emily Leytham, who saw action in seven matches last season, starting three and recording 29 saves, and Connie Cap who has yet to see game action, to fill the void.

On the Attack
Despite losing key seniors Tyler McFayden and Brooke Osborne to graduation, the 'Cats return a significant amount of playing time.

Up top, Davidson will look to senior Anna Davis and sophomore Katherine English. Davis contributed 13 points (five goals, three assists) while English registered 10 points (two goals, six assists).

Melissa Funsten, who led the squad with 16 points (seven goals, two assists), highlights the returners in the midfield. The Raleigh, N.C., native averaged 3.15 shots per game and 0.35 goals per game a season ago. Becky Johnson and Lucy Pidcock will also see significant playing time. Johnson chipped in a goal and assist playing in 16 of the team's 20 games.

New Faces
Eight rookies will join the Davidson field hockey for the 2014 season; Paige Albert, Anna Brewer, Lauren Gampper, Alex Kane, Dodi Allocca, Hannah Fisher, Morgan French and Kate Meeks. This group, which represents Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Virginia has combined for three state championships.

On the Sideline
Ginny Turner is entering her eighth season at the helm of the Davidson program. Turner owns a 67-76 record on the sidelines and guided Davidson to its second Norpac East Division championship in 2010. She has mentored 18 All-Norpac East honorees, three NFHCA All-Region Team recipients, three Norpac East Defensive Player of the Year, two Norpac East Player & Offensive Player of the Year, one Norpac East Rookie of the Year and one Norpac East Player of the Year.

Turner is joined this season by first-year assistants Catherine Ostoich and Kristen O'Rourke.

All-Time Against Georgetown
Saturday's game marks the third time Davidson opens the season against Georgetown with the Wildcats shutting out the Hoyas, 4-0 in 2012 and 6-0 in 2013. The 'Cats lead the all-time series that dates back to 1993, 11-4.

All-Time Against Ball State
Davidson trails the all-time series between the two programs with a 1-2 record against the Cardinals. The two teams last met in 2012 with the Wildcats posting a 4-1 win over Ball State.

Against Ranked Opponents
Three of Davidson's opponents this season are currently ranked in the NFHCA initial poll, including Duke (4), Massachusetts (10), and Wake Forest (11).

Looking Ahead
Davidson will host a pair of matches at Belk Turf Field Sept. 6-7. Rider comes to Davidson Saturday, Sept. 6 at noon while the 'Cats welcome Wake Forest on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m.