A Whole New Game For Field Hockey In 2007

A WHOLE NEW GAME FOR FIELD HOCKEY IN 2007

CHICOPEE, MA, Sept. 3, 2007 - It's a new field, a new season, and in some extent, a whole new game for the Elms College field hockey team.

With this summer's installation of field turf to replace Leary Field's traditional grass surface, the Blazers now find themselves having to adjust to a much faster surface - something interim head coach Jackie Parker knows will take some time for her players.

"Our players will have to learn a different respect for this type of field," Coach Parker noted. "It's a field of control and finesse that the players will grow accustomed to. They will be frustrated at times, but I'm confident they will learn."

Coach Parker takes the reigns for this season in place of head coach Katie Grabiec, who is currently on maternity leave.

She inherits a team with nine returning players, including eight starters from last year's 1-14 season.

"During preseason our players were intense," Coach Parker explained. "They still have a lot to learn, and I know where we are and where we need to be in time. This group wants to learn and wants to win -  two key ingredients needed for success."

FORWARDS

Unlike recent years, the Blazers possess depth up front with nine forwards on the opening day roster.

However, of the five returning, only sophomore Kaitlyn Graham (Paxton, MA) and junior Sarah Lapolice (West Springfield, MA) scored goals last season.

Senior forward Christina Ouellette (Claremont, NH), a starter in each of her first three seasons, should provide solid leadership along with junior Christine Fleury (South Hadley, MA) and sophomore Ashley Gauthier (South Hadley, MA).

Freshmen Laura Bauer (South Hadley, MA), Danielle Boyer (South Hadley, MA), Courtney Gilmore (Mansfield, MA) and Britney Adams (Bethel, CT) will all vie for playing time up front this season.

MIDFIELDERS

The Blazers' midfield boasts quality experience with the return of senior Catherine Thresher (West Suffield, CT), an Honorable Mention All-NAC selection a year ago, as well as junior Ellen Silva (Palmer, MA) and sophomore Allyson Bail (South Hadley, MA).

Thresher started in 10 games last season, while Silva and Bail both appeared in all 15 games for the Blazers.

Freshmen Denise Perks (Blackstone, MA) and Katherine MacPherson (North Sutton, NH) should add depth in the midfield.

DEFENDERS

Silva and Bail, who both have seen playing time in the back, could be called upon to help mentor freshman Sovanny Phai (Chicopee, MA) and junior newcomers Katelyn Donath (North Adams, MA) and Danielle LeLacheur (Milford, MA).

The Blazers, who allowed 88 goals, 410 shots and 254 penalty corners a year ago, will need to do a better job of protecting the team's inexperienced goalkeepers this season.

GOALKEEPERS

The graduation of two-year starting goalkeeper Colleen Strunk '06, who finished her four-year career as just the sixth player in program-history to record 400 saves, leaves a significant void for the Blazers between the pipes.

Junior Katelyn Wasgatt (Worcester, MA) and freshman Jillian Burrows (Pembroke, MA) are now left to fill that role.

Wasgatt appeared in 13 games and recorded 42 saves as Strunk's backup a year ago.

SCHEDULE

The Blazers' 2007 schedule features a pair of tough tournaments in the season's opening 12 days, as the team is slated to play in both the Vassar Tournament and Seven Sisters Championship.

Elms College will need to win on the road if it hopes to make a return trip to the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Tournament, as the Blazers play four of their final six conference games away from the friendly confines of the newly refurbished Leary Field.

WRAP-UP

With five starters returning up front, the Blazers offensive production should increase dramatically this season.

The key, however, will be for the Blazers' backs to limit the number of penalty corners allowed and offer better protection to their untested goalkeeping tandem.