A New Beginning For Field Hockey In 2008
A NEW BEGINNING FOR ELMS COLLEGE FIELD HOCKEY IN 2008
CHICOPEE, MA, Sept. 1, 2008 - Work smarter, not harder.
That's the motto Elms College seventh-year field hockey coach Katie Grabiec hopes her team will adopt in 2008.
Although the Blazers have limited depth, all 12 players on the current roster return from last season and that has Grabiec optimistic her team will improve upon last year's 2-15 mark.
"Overall we're more experienced than we've been in any year since I've been here," Coach Grabiec noted. "We have two goals that we've set for this year - first to limit the number of shots on goal by working on rebounds, and second, when the ball is in the offensive end, we need to back each other up on plays to help keep it there."
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
The good news is that the Blazers return both sophomores Denise Perks (Blackstone, MA) and Courtney Gilmore (Mansfield, MA) - who combined for 7 goals and 16 points in 2007.
Perks, a Second Team All-North Atlantic Conference (NAC) selection last season, registered a team-leading five goals and 12 points, while Gilmore added a pair of tallies.
"Denise is definitely the type of player that could have chosen to play at a higher level if she had wanted to," Coach Grabiec said. "What makes her so good is that she never concedes defeat. Her teammates look at Denise and say ‘I want to be like her'. Having that type of player around helps elevate your program."
The Blazers will also need offensive contributions from others up front and appear to have options with the return of senior forward and tri-captain Sarah Lapolice (West Springfield, MA), senior midfielder Christine Fleury (South Hadley, MA) and junior midfielder Kaitlyn Graham (Paxton, MA).
Sophomore Jillian Burrows (Pembroke, MA), the team's backup goalkeeper last season, returns as a field player in the midfield to join returning junior forward Danielle Boyer (South Hadley, MA).
DEFENDERS
The Blazers have experience in the back with the return of senior tri-captains Ellen Silva (Palmer, MA) and Danielle LeLacheur (Milford, MA).
Silva, who returns after starting in each of her first three seasons, may also provide an additional offensive threat this year.
"Ellen's offensive skills are better than in previous years and we're going to challenge her more offensively this season," Coach Grabiec said.
Junior Danielle Gero (Holyoke, MA) and sophomore Britney Adams (Bethel, CT) will also see plenty of playing time in the back in 2008.
GOALKEEPER
Senior Katelyn Wasgatt (Worcester, MA) returns as the team's starter between the pipes this season.
Wasgatt, who was a backup to the program's fourth all-time career leader in saves (Colleen Strunk ‘06) during her first two seasons, leapfrogged her way into the team's top 10 all-time saves leader after stopping a whopping 161 shots a year ago.
"Katelyn always wants to learn and she's so smart," Coach Grabiec said. "We're going to work more with her on angles and clears this season."
SCHEDULE
With the move into the newly-formed New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) this season, Coach Grabiec is highly optimistic about what that will mean for the future of the program.
"There are more teams comparable to us overall and it is very well balanced," she said. "I can only see positives coming from this move."
The Blazers will be joined in the NECC by Daniel Webster, as well as former NAC foes Bay Path, Becker and Wheelock.
As always, Elms College will play a competitive non-conference slate that includes games against traditional local foes Westfield State (Sept. 9), Smith (Sept. 24) and Mount Holyoke (Sept. 29).
In addition, the Blazers once again travel to compete in the Vassar Invitational and will face Kings College, a perennial Top 20 team in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Poll.
"I hope as a program that we will always strive to challenge ourselves and strive to play quality non-conference opponents every year," Coach Grabiec said.
In-conference, Elms College will play each of its NECC foes twice this season.
WRAP-UP
The Blazers will have arguably the most overall experience at every position this season. With limited depth, however, the key to success will hinge upon conditioning and avoiding injury.
"Our whole model this year is that this is a new team and a clean slate," Coach Grabiec explained.