2002 Field Hockey Outlook

07/15/02

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The 2002 William and Mary field hockey team has some difficult shoes to fill after turning in winning seasons for the past four years. Last year’s team had a 14-5 record, seven players named All-CAA, four regional All-Americans, two participants in the NFHCA All-Star game and head coach Peel Hawthorne was named the CAA Coach of the Year. The 2002 team, however, is ready to take on the challenge. The squad lost four important players to graduation, but one of the strongest recruiting classes is right behind them, prepared to continue the program’s success.

Leading the pack will be a group of experienced veterans at the forward position. Ann Ekberg, a senior, has been a vital part of the Tribe’s attack since she first arrived in Williamsburg. She led the unit in points (28) and goals (12), was named to the All-CAA second team and was an all-region selection last year. The team will depend on her speed and ability to put away rebounds.

Juniors Jordan Steele and Kelly McQuade are also important parts of the team’s play at the front of the field. Steele led the team last season in assists, with seven, and also scored three goals. She’s been making improvements on her stickwork and is ready for even more playing time this season. McQuade will continue to contribute heavily and may have a double role as both a midfielder and a forward. She spent the spring playing lacrosse for the Tribe and that experience helped her prepare mentally.

Behind these established players are a host of others that will also be contributing to the success of the team. Sydney Schell had reconstructive ankle surgery and was unable to practice in the spring, but her explosive speed could be vital to the Tribe’s attack. If Kate Baird, who battled injury throughout 2001, is fully recovered, she, too, will be seeing a lot of playing time for the squad. She showed significant improvement in the spring and is a major threat as a goal-scorer. Sophomore Sue Taylor will be depending on her stick skills to gain more playing time this season. With amazing speed, similar to Schell’s, freshman Kelly Giles will be a welcome addition.

Team co-captain and senior Kristen Southerland returns as the team’s most skilled stick handler. She was named to the All-CAA second team in 2001 and has been a starter since her freshman year. Jill Hocutt gained great experience at the midfield position this spring that will be helpful for the team in 2002. Maria Scanelli has been improving her stickwork and defensive skills and figures to contribute. Newcomer Shannon Karl has tremendous experience in the midfield against top-level competition that will be an asset this year. Straight from Williamsburg, freshman Jennifer Kubicek will also challenge for playing time.

The defenders on last year’s team were young, but the experience they gained has prepared them for the challenge of this season. The most experienced defender is senior Julie Zoolkoski. A two-year starter, she has one of the best tackles on the team. The team will be depending heavily on junior Kelli Duggan. Duggan was named to the All-CAA second team last year as a sophomore. She was the team’s most improved player and has strong stickwork and a hard hit. Improvements made in her mental game will be key to the team’s success this season. One of the team’s co-captains, Jessica Nixon, was switched into a defensive role last year and has since been a very strong consistent player. Nixon anchored the defense as a fullback last season and will continue to help lead the unit this year.

Several others will be vying for spots in the defensive lineup. Anna Davis redshirted last year and has the potential to become a top defender. Sophomore Tiffany Reeves played midfield in high school, but her knack for low tackles and knowledge of the game make her a solid contender for the defensive line. Junior Katie Casto has continuously improved her game and brings a fantastic work ethic and attitude to the field. Newcomer Carly Falgowski is a strong athlete with a good knowledge of the game. Her speed and stick skills will be an asset to the team’s defense. Diana Esposito is also coming in with tremendous experience and good skills in the defender position. Both Falgowski and Esposito received NFHCA All-America recognition in high school.

Vital to the team’s success last season and ready for this year’s challenges is redshirt-junior goalkeeper Claire Miller. Miller closed out the year with seven shutouts and a 1.09 goals against average, one of the best in school history. She was named to the CAA’s first team, and was the only member of the Tribe named to the NFHCA’s All-South Region first team. A very vocal player, Miller has great ability to organize the defense in front of her. Behind Miller looking for playing time in the goal are Heather Kibbee and Sara McDonough who both redshirted last year.

With a talented recruiting class and experienced players, William and Mary’s field hockey team is prepared for the upcoming season. This will be the first year for the team in the new CAA, facing several new league opponents that are expected to add depth and variety. The line-up for the Tribe includes nine top-20 teams from last year, but it’s a challenge that the team is ready for.