2006 season preview

August 30, 2006

NORTON, MA- After falling on the short end of eight one-goal games in 2005 while outscoring its 20 opponents, 39-34, it's no surprise that offense consumes the focus of the Wheaton College field hockey team and head coach Rebecca Begley entering the 2006 season.

From the non-traditional spring where the team was practicing attack the majority of the time to this year's preseason where offense continued to be the frontline topic, Begley believes this team is plenty capable of scoring goals. "We have some talent on offense," said the seventh-year coach. "Last year we took enough shots, but we didn't take the right shots. Shot selection, field vision and ball possession will all be critical to our success."

Returning from an 8-12 season last fall and a 3-5 mark in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC), the Lyons realize opposite outcomes from a few of their nine one-goal games in 2005 would have been the difference in a quest to secure their first winning season since 1995. "There is a huge desire to win right now," stated Begley. "This team has worked so hard for so long, especially the seniors. We want to go to the conference tournament, win a first round game and eventually reach the championship."

In order to attain those goals, Wheaton's 18-member squad will have to show the ability to play different positions. Tossing out the position they played in high school or even the spot they played on the team last year, Begley indicates it's her responsibility to find the best 11 players and put them out there. "My job is to evaluate the top field players and best goalie, put them on the field and teach them that position to play," said Begley.

Having the luxury of bringing back four of her five leading scorers, Begley will rely on the Branford, Connecticut, tandem of junior Lyndsie Ryalls (Branford, CT/Branford) and sophomore Alisa Ardito (Branford, CT/Branford) to carry the scoring load. Ryalls racked up the school's third-most goals in a season with 10 a year ago, as well as 22 points and three game-winners, while Ardito turned in an impressive opening campaign with eight goals and 19 points.

Joining the duo up front is Wheaton's most decorated returning player, junior Sara Dimick (Cumberland, ME/Greely). Dimick earned National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-New England and NEWMAC All-Conference accolades as a sophomore. Freshman Alex Block (Saratoga, CA/Saratoga) should get the nod as one of the starting forwards, while the lone remaining wing slot will most likely take form by committee, with senior Rachel Sminkey (White River Junction, VT/Hartford) and sophomores Rachel Alfiero (Cape Elizabeth, ME/Cape Elizabeth) and Lauren Henderson (Marblehead, MA/Newman School) each vying for the starting role.

Begley points to senior co-captain Shea Clarke (Bellingham, MA/Bellingham) and junior Kim Anson (Washington, CT/Shepaug Valley) to bolster the Lyon midfield. Clarke, who begins her final season tied for third on the program's all-time assists chart, posted 13 points and a team-high tying five defensive saves last fall, while Anson is one of four returning players to start all 20 games. The spot next to Clarke and Anson remains open and will be granted to one of six players, a group which includes five freshmen.

The backfield features senior co-captain Elizabeth Reimers (Wareham, MA/Tabor Academy) and a player to be determined. They'll be the final line of defense for senior goalie Mary Catherine Boll (Columbus, IN/Miss Porter's School). Boll served as Wheaton's starting keeper for the last half of the 2005 season, performing admirably with a 6-3 record, 1.19 goals against average and five shutouts, becoming just the fourth goalie in program history to record five shutouts in a season. Her GAA was the eighth-lowest average in a season at Wheaton. Boll will be backed up by sophomore Jackie Riccio (Duxbury, MA/Duxbury), who saw a half of action during her freshman season.

The fight for the Blue and White's remaining two slots will be between junior Ashley Miller (East Bridgewater, MA/East Bridgewater) and a quintet of first-year players in Cassie Abel (Windham, NH/Salem), Hannah Clarke (New London, NH/Kearsarge Regional), Hanna Landis (Cape Elizabeth, ME/Cape Elizabeth), Andria Laroche (Skowhegan, ME/Skowhegan Area) and Alexandra MacMillan (Bethel, ME/Gould Academy).

Wheaton will have the opportunity to gauge its progress with its season opener on Friday at Salve Regina University for the first of three straight road games. The Lyons' schedule presents a different look than in years past, as the slate is designed to help prepare them for a tournament-style atmosphere and the postseason. The Seven Sisters Tournament in mid-September highlights the schedule, along with weekend-heavy action to closely resemble postseason tournaments.

The team's home opener is set for September 9 versus Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) foe Endicott College. An away contest at national power Bowdoin College the next day precedes five games over a six-day stretch from September 14-19. The Lyons host Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) on September 23 to begin league play.

Anxious to start the new season with her first class of recruits since the splitting of her field hockey and women's lacrosse coaching posts, Begley is looking forward to the teaching aspect with this year's Lyons. "There are a lot of positives with this team," said Begley. "I need to be aware of what we have and work around our strengths. My philosophy is to recognize everyone's individual strengths and put them in a position to excel as a unit."

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 2/15/07.
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