- About
- |
- Schedules
- |
- Camps
- |
- Facilities
- |
- Directory
- |
- Visitor's Guide
- |
- Athletic Training
- |
- Aquatics
- |
- Resources
|
Messiah Picked Number One By Commonwealth Coaches
Messiah head coach Jan Trapp led the program to its 12th Final Four appearance last season. The Falcons have been picked to finish atop the Commonwealth Conference in '09.
Annville, PA — Defending Commonwealth Conference Champion Messiah topped the league’s annual pre-season coaches’ poll, the Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation announced Wednesday. Messiah (17-2) sat atop the 2008 Commonwealth Conference standings going into the league’s post-season championship, and earned a spot in the NCAA tournament via two impressive wins in the league tournament: The Falcons posted hung a 7-0 shutout win over Widener in the semi-final match, then earned a trip to the Big Dance with a 2-1 win over Lebanon Valley College in the championship game. In the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Messiah knocked off Eastern University 3-0 and then in regional play took out Rowan 2-1 in overtime — cited by many as one of the greatest games ever to take place at Anderson Field. The Falcons’ year ended in a disheartening 5-2 loss to Tufts University in the national semi-final, leaving the program just one win away from its seventh NCAA Division III Championship game appearance. Following a season that finished with the 12th Final Four appearance in the storied history of Messiah field hockey, the program returns many key players. Junior Julie Barton (10 goals, 12 assists) was named a first team Longstreth/NFHCA Division III All-American while senior Ashley Mowery (1.21 GAA) earned second team honors, helping lead both the Falcons’ offense and defense to a memorable 17-2 overall record. Ranked as the nation’s top NCAA Division III team in the final STX/NFHCA Top 20 Poll, the Falcons defeated 10 teams ranked in that ballot’s top 20 over the regular season. Other key returners are senior Liz Ziegler (seven goals, five assists), senior Brittany Godshall, junior Kourtney Ehly (Commonwealth Rookie of the Year, 12 goals, five assists) and junir Lauren Tennis (11 goals, seven assists). Messiah head coach Jan Trapp was tabbed as the league coach of the year — her sixth honor in the history of the league. Lebanon Valley (19-4, 4-1) earned second place and two first place votes in the preseason poll. The Dutchmen return seven starters as it prepares for another deep postseason run with the frontline firepower of All-American Jocelyn Novak, Shelly Lobach (15 goals, 14 assists), Danielle Blase (10 goals, one assist)and Cait Eckenrode (five goals, one assist). Novak had a fantastic debut season in 2008, scoring an LVC single-season record 32 goals while become the nation's only freshman All-America. She recorded six hat tricks, including two in the postseason, and also dished out four assists. Second team all-commonwealth pick Nikki Bomberger is the only returning starter on defense, scoring four goals and six assists last year. In goal, senior Caitlin Baro returns for her final season after earning NFHCA All-Region and first team All-Commonwealth honors last year. Baro posted a 19-4 record with a 1.06 goals-allowed average and 88 saves. Alvernia (10-9, 4-4) will make the move from the Freedom Conference to the Commonwealth Conference this season. The Crusaders lose only two seniors from last year’s team. Alvernia will rely heavily on first team all-conference forward Janelle Lynch. Lynch returns for her senior season after scoring 12 goals and assisting on four in 2008. Katy Eby had a fine freshman campaign totaling 12 goals, three of which were game-winners. She also tallied nine assists. Albright (4-15, 1-4) returns a group of versatile players this season. Among those key returners are senior Emily Hutchinson and Kelly Zepp. Hutchinson was one of the team’s top 2008 defenders whose speed and intensity makes her one of the most aggressive players in the conference. Zepp saw limited time last season due to an injury but will be one of the team’s key forwards. Julianne Sahina, Beth Moran, Gia Boscola, Madison Baily, and Kaitlyn Hutchinson will all vie for major roles with the Lady Lions. Arcadia’s (5-15, 0-5) Ashley McCarthy will be the Knights top returning scorer in ’09 (13 pts in 2008 on 83 SOG%) as a defender, where she tallied a team high six defensive saves last season. McCarthy fronts a pair a four-year starting senior keepers in Brittany Rassmussen (Jonas, PA/Pleasant Valley) and Rachel Palis (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder) who both sport GAA of under 5.00. The Knights look to increase offensive production in 2009 under first year head coach Erin Livingston (Kutztown ’05). Shenandoah (0-15) enters their first season of competition in the Commonwealth Conference as they host a conference game for the first time in program history. 2009 Commonwealth Conference Field Hockey Pre-Season Poll ( ) first place votes in parentheses
|
