field hockey - GoHofstra.com

2012 HOFSTRA FIELD HOCKEY OUTLOOK
Coming off a season that saw the Pride equal the second most
victories in a season in program history, return to the Colonial
Athletic Association Championship Tournament for the seventh
time in the past eight years and complete the season ranked 20th in the
final NCAA Division I Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), Hofstra Head
Field Hockey Coach Kathy De Angelis will be looking to reload and
replace four key starters lost to graduation following the 2011 season.
Hofstra, which finished 13-9 overall and tied for second in the CAA with
a 5-3 mark, recorded a school record 83 goals in 2011. While the Pride’s
222 points were also a record a year ago, De Angelis will be charged
with finding adequate replacement for the 49 goals and 29 assists that
were lost to graduation. A large chunk of the scoring loss was due to the
graduation of two-time All-American Genna Kovar, who broke three
season records and three career marks during her 28 goals and 18 assists
season. She finished her career with 57 goals, 34 assists for 148 points,
marks that may stand for many years.
But Kovar was just one of four key starting players-one at each part
of the field-and seven overall lost to graduation. Midfielder Arielle
Williams, who posted six goals and five assists last season, tallied 53
points during her career and the most experienced midfielder. Defender
and two-time all-region selection Amy-Lee Levey, who anchored the
back line last season, also provided a scoring punch of nine goals and
four assists while bouncing back from a serious knee injury suffered
following the 2009 season. Goalie Amanda Heyde, who posted a 2.67
goals against average and a .684 save percentage in 2011, was a fixture
in the cage for the Pride over the last four years, playing in 71 games.
These four, plus Darrah Rachman, who tallied a career-best six goals as
a senior last year, will have the Pride staff looking for both standout and
role players during preseason camp.
But the Pride cupboard is far from bare with the return of 16 players,
including six starters, and, quite possibly one of De Angelis’ best
recruiting classes of her tenure. Fortunately, the Pride has a roster that
is talented and versatile. “This past spring we did everything we could
possibly do as a team to play cohesively and fill the gaps in our line-up,”
De Angelis explained. “We have a strong and versatile core returning and
this team has jelled in the off-season better than any team that I have ever
seen. We also became a better passing team and that will need to carry
over to the season.”
De Angelis knows her teams’ keys to success in 2012. “We need to define
our defensive structure and play solid, consistent defense,” De Angelis
stated. We will need players to step up, both offensively and defensively,
and fill the voids left by graduation. We need to continue the fine passing
game that we had in the spring. Finally, we will need to be successful on
our penalty corner opportunities.”
FORWARD
The attack is the area which will have the biggest transformation in
2012. In addition to the loss of the two-time All-American Kovar, the
Pride has been experimenting since the spring season with senior Krizia
Layne, a 20-goal scorer last year, by moving her to the defense. Add in
the graduation of Darrah Rachman and Hofstra has potentially lost 54
goals at forward from last year’s squad. “Even from the backfield, Krizia
is going to contribute offensively,” De Angelis commented
But De Angelis is confident that she has the collective talent to provide
a constant threat on offense. Sophomore Jonel Boileau (Kelowna, BC,
Canada) returns after posting eight goals and three assists as a freshman.
“Jonel is ready to lead the attack this year,” De Angelis said. “I think she
did a fantastic job playing
alongside two talented
forwards in Genna and Krizia
last year. While she still has
some developing to do, her
potential is limitless. I am
confident that she can lead
this team.”
Junior reserves Jillian Geysen
(East Hampton, CT) and
Katelyn Horan (Endicott,
NY) will also battle for
starting nods. “Jillian had a
solid spring season and has
great individual skills,” De
Angelis said. “She has one of
the most powerful hits on the
krizia layne
team and will be extremely
useful on attack corners.
Katelyn is a solid team player
and controls the ball very
well. Her individual skills make her a valuable, versatile player.”
The newcomers could
figure prominently
here as Canada West
Under-19 National Team
player, Leigh Maxwell-
Smith (Vancouver, BC,
Canada), Pennsylvania
product Lauren del Valle
(Exton, PA) who played
club hockey for the WC
Eagles the top club team
in the country last spring,
three-year Region VII
Futures participant Kayla
Lesene (Bowie, MD) and
All-New Jersey selection
Whitney Kowski
(Washington, NJ) will
be battling for both jonel boileau
playing time and possible
starting roles. Senior
Meg Leusch (Rochester,
NY), who played in 12
games and dished out an assist last season, suffered a back injury during
the spring and will miss at least the first half of the season, if not more.
MIDFIELD
While the midfield did lose three-year starter Arielle Williams, who
played 77 games during her four-year career, this segment is deep
with players who can play several positions. Leading the midfield is
senior Micaela Gallagher (Port Jefferson, NY). A three-year starter,
Gallagher recorded the best season of her career with four goals and
four assists and expected to play a bigger role in 2012. “I expect 2012
to be Micaela’s breakout year and be one of the leaders on this team,”
De Angelis said. “She certainly possesses all of the tools to be a leader.
Micaela has probably the strongest technical skill on the squad and is a
great team player.”
10 HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY • GoHofstra.com