2008 season preview

August 28, 2008

NORTON, MA- Fielding the largest squad in seven seasons while introducing a new style of hockey tops the list of welcome items this fall for head coach Rebecca Begley, who begins her ninth season on the Wheaton College field hockey sideline. And for the first time in her tenure, Begley decided to forgo team goal setting on the first day of preseason.

"I told the team with such a young group it was important for us to see what we have before setting goals," said Begley of her 22-member squad that includes 10 freshmen and six sophomores. "I wanted to see how the preseason panned out in terms of fitness, leadership and talent. We've enjoyed successful seasons the last two years and hope to mimic those moving forward."

Despite holding off on establishing various goals, Begley admits the underlying objective is to win the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament. Advancing to the last two league tournament semifinal rounds while competing in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament both falls, the Lyons experienced the most successful two-year stretch in school history. Wheaton went 13-7 a year ago with a 6-2 league record, which marked the program's most conference victories.

Acknowledging that the majority of her starting lineup will consist of returners, Begley also anticipates what the sophomore class could bring. "The biggest jump in my mind is freshman to sophomore year," added Begley. "I'm looking forward to seeing what the sophomores can do, as they've been through a preseason and non-traditional season, so they know what the expectations are."

With 22 players in uniform, Begley has used the ability to scrimmage full field in practice to her advantage, especially critical since being introduced to a new system during the team's trip to Argentina last March. It also didn't hurt to bring back a bit of Argentina, as Suevia Greloni Pierri will serve as an assistant coach alongside third-year assistant Laurie Magoon and second-year assistant Patricia Glennon. Since 1998, Greloni Pierri has been a member of the Belgrano Athletic Club, which competes in Argentina's highest division.

"American hockey and Argentinean hockey are so vastly different," stated Begley. "The team has been receptive to the new style. The fact that it's an Olympic year was perfect timing, as we were able to watch the Olympics during the preseason and show the team exactly what we want them to do. It made it such a reality for the players."

Senior Alisa Ardito (Branford, CT/Branford) and junior Alex Block (Saratoga, CA/Saratoga) will share this year's captain duties, which is a tall order considering the squad includes 16 underclassmen. Begley is excited that the tandem is leading by example and doing an admirable job, but she emphasizes that in order for the team to be successful the junior class will need to step up and accept leadership roles.

Ardito, who was named to all-region and all-conference teams as a junior, will graduate as one of the most prolific offensive players in school history. Already second in the program in career assists, needing just four to tie the record, Ardito is fourth in points and tied for fourth in goals. In 20 starts last year, she notched nine goals, nine assists and five game-winners. Block will be positioned in the midfield, where she posted six tallies and three helpers in 20 starts last fall.

Joining Ardito on the front line will be sophomore Jessica Strock (Centerville, MA/Barnstable), who finished third on the team in goals with seven in 2007, and freshman Cara Cusson (Ashfield, MA/Mohawk Trail Regional).

Also vying for time at the forward positions are sophomore Marisha Gadowski (Quincy, MA/Notre Dame Academy) and first-year players Kathryn Ende (Hallowell, ME/Hall-Dale) and Hannah Knowles (North Kingstown, RI/Rocky Hill School).

Alongside Block in the midfield are sophomores Julia Atwood (Concord, MA/Brooks School) and Margaux Bolte (Belmont, MA/Belmont). Junior Rachel Alfiero (Cape Elizabeth, ME/Cape Elizabeth) and freshmen Emily Asack (Stoughton, MA/Stoughton), Catherine Fitzgerald (Charlton, MA/Shepherd Hill Regional) and Sarah Mott (Harvard, MA/Bromfield School) should see time as reserves. Alfiero missed the 2007 season, and Bolte saw action in 19 games as a freshman.

The team's stiffest competition is across the back, where eight players are battling for four spots. They include juniors Cassie Abel (Windham, NH/Salem) and Andria Laroche (Skowhegan, ME/Skowhegan Area), sophomores Sarah Crowley (Worcester, MA/Bancroft School) and Ashley English (Watertown, MA/Watertown), and freshmen Bonnie Davies (Roxbury, CT/Shepaug Valley), Carmela Luzi (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug Regional), Tierney Richardson (North Attleboro, MA/North Attleboro) and Aliza Underhill (Corinth, ME/Central).

Having started 20 games last fall and appeared in over 40 contests during their two-year careers, Abel and Laroche each provide a veteran presence. Both notched three defensive saves in 2007, English also picked up 20 starts, while Crowley saw time as a reserve in 13 games.

In the cage is junior Andrea Bagley (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro), who didn't see much time as a sophomore at Wheaton or freshman at Bridgewater State College. In six games last fall, she posted a 1.09 goals against average and .875 save percentage.

A road-heavy 17-game schedule begins this Friday at non-league foe Salve Regina University, as Wheaton's first three contests and nine of its initial 12 are away from the friendly confines of Clark Field. The Lyons' toughest test will come on September 7, when the team faces top-ranked and defending national champion Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. The Polar Bears stand first in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) preseason poll.

The Lyons open their home slate against the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth on September 11. The Blue and White travels to Mount Holyoke College to open its conference season on September 27 and welcomes Babson College for its NEWMAC home opener on October 14. Wheaton is at Springfield College on October 11, as the Pride is ranked 13th nationally and won the 2007 league crown. The NEWMAC Tournament begins on November 1.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 8/29/08.
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