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Speed and youth fuel field hockey's fall campaign
By Jim Gleitman
Assistnt Sports Editor

As one of the most dominating teams in the country the last two seasons, the field hockey team has accomplished several feats, however, they have fallen short of winning any trophies.

Coach Jen Averill’s squad reached the semi-finals of the NCAA tournament last year for the second consecutive year before falling to Maryland in double overtime.

"Coming off the loss last year is just bittersweet," Averill said. "I think the players were proud of their accomplishments and so were we as a staff, but coming that close and not walking away with it has weighed heavily on their minds during the spring and summer."

The Deacs lose Jenny Shelton, Katie Kubic and All-American Jemima Cameron to graduation, but don’t think Averill’s program has not reloaded.

Enter the play of Kelly Wood, Ariel Meyers, Maeke Boreel, Toni Baines and Martha Ferger to fill the empty shoes.

"Kelly Wood definitely has the style and finesse to play at this level as a freshman," Averill said. "She is just a very talented player coming in. She is great in front of the cage and has a knack for scoring. She is going to add a lot to this team and be a huge benefit."

The Deacs have always been synonymous with speed and this year will be no exception. The addition of Meyers will add quickness and speed to a team that already scares opponents.

"Ariel, is a very quick player, she is definitely one of the fastest on the team," Averill said. "She has all the feistiness and aggressiveness to be great once she gets her confidence going." Both Meyers and Wood come from Warwick High School in Pennsylvania and will be looked upon to fill big shoes.

Royal and Baines will take a year to get used to the new environment, but Averill has no doubts their presence will be felt soon. Ferger completes the freshman class and Averill is pleased so far with the youngster’s progression. Averill said, "We threw her in a scrimmage the other day and were very impressed with her consistency"

As a team the Deacs are both mentally and physically ready to play. "The entire team is very enthused and excited," sophomore goalie Katie Ridd said. "Last season is somewhat bitter, but we have to move on and think about this season." The Deacs are definetly focusing on this season, but they are using the loss in double overtime last year as motivation to excel.

"It was thrilling coming in as a freshman and getting to go to the final four," sophomore forward Kelly Dostal said. "However, that double overtime loss is fueling us this year because we know we can compete with the best in the country."

This season should be very exciting with another competitive schedule and a team that is billed one of the best Averill has coached.

The defense will be a year improved as both sophomore Lucy Shaw and Clair Laubach return to join forces with Ridd defending the net. The tandem was an iron wall last season and can only be better this fall.

An offense which habitually scored first on opponents will have a new look. Though the speed of Shelton is lost and the play-making ability of Cameron is gone, junior Kelly Doton and Dostal plan to pick up the slack. Doton is a very agressive player who knows how to handle the ball and Doton is much healthier entering this season.

"Our offensive corners have more speed than ever and will definitely be a weapon," Ridd said. "In addition, our defense is much more experienced and patient than last year."

The only possible weakness Averill faces is getting her young team through a strong schedule. "We have some young players playing in some new positions," Averill said.

"I think it is up to them to step up with confidence and for the supporting players around them to take up the slack so there is not such a significant void to fill."

The Deacs are on the road against UNC and Michigan, two powerhouses in the finals of last seasons NCAA tournament. A home match up with Maryland, who defeated the Deacs three times last season, adds to the difficulty their schedule.

Granted the Deacs face some tough match-ups through the year, but the team is excited and prepared to do battle with the best.

"Our emotions are high and we have a lot of expectations we want to meet," Doton said. "We are all very excited to begin this season and our preseason practices have been some of the hardest we have ever had."

Averill wants to improve upon the team’s offensive corner units, but says overall she wants to continue her aggressive style of play.

"We have similar scoring depth as in years past, but offensive corner units is a percentage we want to increase and I think we have the personnel in the right spots to do so," Averill said. "How we are going to start as a unit is still in the works and we might change some tactical approaches, but we are still going to be the aggressive attacking Wake that has always been, as long as it is successful."