Hawks eye field hockey improvement

NEW PALTZ - SUNY New Paltz field hockey team hopes to take the next logical step in its growth as the Hawks open the season Wednesday with a non-conference home game against Drew.

New Paltz finished fourth in the State University of New York Athletic Conference at 3-8 and was 5-13 overall in 2007.

First-year coach Liz Saucier, last season's assistant, has found a smooth transition for herself and her young team.

"We've really meshed well together as coach and team," Saucier said. "They've responded to my coaching style and they're such a great group to work with."

Joining Saucier on the coaching staff is Heather Semelmacher, the former field hockey coach at John A. Coleman Catholic High and girls lacrosse coach at Saugerties.

"Heather's brought a lot to the team already," Saucier said. "She's a great addition and everyone seems to know her."

The Hawks will be helped by the return of their three top goal scorers from last season, sophomore forwards Jess Moore (seven goals, four assists), Lauren Nicomini (four goals, five assists) and Sarah Schloss (four goals, three assists).

"Having all three of them back is huge for us," Saucier said. "The sophomore and freshmen classes have so much talent and they don't get intimidated playing at this level."

Other returning offensive players include senior forwards Jillian Carfarchio, Megan Flynn and Marissa Costello, junior midfielders Kristen Donnelly and Kristen Bergmann and sophomore forward Jennifer Dietz, a Kingston High product.

Freshmen midfielders Corry Almeida and Maryana Organidis round out the offense.

Returning defenders are junior Ann Marie Rudd, senior Heather McCoy and sophomores Kelly Brogan, Gretchen Tucker, Alyssa Finck and Kristy Amendola.

"Our defense is going to be strong again," Saucier said. "We also have three new players on defense, Courtney Merton, Mary Grace Hamme and Emmi Van Den Boom who is an exchange student from Holland. Emmi is a very good player and she'll start right away for us."

Three players could find themselves in a platoon situation at the goalkeeper position.

Returnees Grace Watson and Elizabeth Dini, both sophomores, will be joined by newcomer Liz Tong, a junior and Onteora High graduate.

"Right now, all three goalies are showing me they have the ability to start," Saucier said. "I may end up rotating during the season."

The Hawks finally have a home field at the college and used the turf for preseason and practices for the first time this year.

"It's been great to be able to practice here and not have to travel," Saucier said. "We played in a preseason tournament and I saw a lot of good things and some things we have to work on. Our main goal is to work our way up in the conference and eventually get to the top."

Schedule

Home games in bold; SUNYAC games in CAPS

September

3 Drew, 4 p.m.; 6 OSWEGO, 1 p.m.; 10 Western Connecticut St., 4 p.m.; 13 at Kean, 1 p.m.; 20 at BROCKPORT, 1 p.m.; 24 at ONEONTA, 6 p.m.; 27 GENESEO, 1 p.m.

October

3 at Skidmore, 4 p.m.; 4 at MORRISVILLE, 1 p.m.; 8 at Manhattanville, 4 p.m.; 14 at Vassar, 6 p.m.; 18 CORTLAND, 1 p.m.; 22 Stevens Tech, 3:30 p.m.; 25 at Wells, 1 p.m.; 31 at Union, 4 p.m.

November

1 Ramapo, 1 p.m.

Uit: Daily Freeman
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20100086&BRD=1769&PAG=461&dept_id=82700&rfi=6

2008 Field Hockey Season Preview

"... New Paltz is very deep in the back, including returning starters Ann Marie Rudd, who started 18 games last year and sophomore Kristy Amendola, had 15 starting assignments in 2007. Junior Emmi van den Boom will join the pair in the starting backfield. Kelly Brogan, Mary Grace Hamme, Heather McCoy, Courtney Merton and Gretchen Tucker will compete for playing time off the bench... "

Van: http://athletics.newpaltz.edu/news.cfm?id=4196 - Universiteit website.