Field Hockey 2001 Preview: 

Corsairs looking forward to exciting season with plenty of returning veterans and new faces for 2001 season

(Dartmouth, MA) -- With three of her top five scorers back for another season and a host of experienced veterans returning on defense, Coach Marilyn Ritz's Corsairs enter the 2001 field hockey season with high hopes.

UMass Dartmouth has seven returning starters from last year's team which posted a 7-11 overall record and finished sixth in the Little East Conference with a 4-6 mark.

"We've got a nice blend of returning players along with some new players to the program," said Ritz, who is entering her 18th season as the Corsairs' head field hockey coach. "Our experience is in the defensive unit, with several veteran midfielders and backs in the lineup. That will be important because they will be playing in front of a first-year goalie."

Ritz will be counting on senior captains Kristen Greene (Medfield, MA) (2-1-5) and Jackie Michalos (Norwood, MA) in the midfield along with backs junior Erin Dziedzic (Palmer, MA), junior Grace Cimo (Medfield, MA) and sophomore Rachel Heenan (Medway, MA) to bolster the Corsairs' defensive unit. Sophomores Theresa Sousa (Taunton, MA) and Heidi Wojcik (Auburn, MA), a pair of transfer students, will both offer depth to an already solid defense. The Corsairs' defensive unit will be vital to the development of first-year goalie Melissa Larrivee (Fall River, MA), who earned the starting job in goal during the pre-season.

While the defensive unit enters the 2001 season on solid footing, Ritz will be looking for an offensive spark from some returning veterans and a couple of newcomers to the program.

"We need to capitalize on our offensive unit's speed because I think it could be a real strength for us this season," said Ritz, who will be joined again this season by long-time assistant coach Joan Allison.

Leading the offensive unit this season will be last season's leading scorer forward sophomore Wendy Crowther (Dartmouth, MA) (5-2-12), along with junior forward and an LEC Player of the Week last season, Jen Davis (Westford, MA) (4-1-9). Junior forward Jackie Briggs (Hingham, MA) (1-0-2) and sophomore Laura Lusas (Melrose, MA) will be back for another season to provide some depth.

Ritz is also looking forward to the return of sophomore Alex Wildes (Carver, MA) who is returning to the team after missing last year with a knee injury. In her first season with the Corsairs, Wildes appeared in 9 games and had 10 shots on goal. She netted a pair of goals with an assist for 5 points during the 1999 season.

"Alex is capable of beating the defense with her explosive speed," said Ritz.

Several new players could also make an impact on offense said Ritz in analyzing her team. First-year players Jessica Cole (Three Rivers, MA) and her Palmer High School teammate, Tracy Olearczyk (Three Rivers, MA), plus Lauren Izzicupo (Stoneham, MA) and Leah Segrin (Shrewsbury, MA) will all be very exciting to watch when they get the ball said Ritz.

One key position to be filled this season will be at sweeper where three-year starter Sarah Tuxbury was lost to graduation. Senior co-captain Deanna White (Essex, MA), along with Anita Van Jaarsveld (Essex Junction, VT) and Amanda Mahoney (Stoughton, MA) will be among the players Ritz considers for the starting job at sweeper.

"We will be looking to have the experience of returning players keep up in games against very tough non-conference opponents in the early part of the season," Ritz said. "A lot of our success will depend on how quickly our first-year players adjust to the collegiate game and to each other."

The Corsairs open the 2001 season on the road at Elms College on Saturday, Sept. 8, before facing Wheaton College in their home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 4:30 p.m. Following a tough non-conference game with Wellesley College at home on Sept. 13, UMass Dartmouth will open Little East Conference competition on Saturday, Sept. 15 by hosting Plymouth State College in a 1:00 p.m. start.

"There is great potential and enthusiasm for the game," said Ritz about her squad. "We had a taste of success in the LEC last year (UMD lost, 1-0, in penalty strokes to 3rd seeded Southern Maine) and have set our goals higher for the 2001 season."

In addition to past success on the field, three Corsairs have also demonstrated success in the classroom as well. Last year, Davis, Dziedzic and Greene were among five Corsairs named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Academic All-America team for grade point averages of 3.3 or higher during the field hockey season.

UMass Dartmouth Field Hockey 2001 Schedule:

September

Date	Against	Place	Time
8	Elms College	(A)	11:00 am
11	Wheaton College	(H)	4:30 pm
13	Wellesley College	(H)	4:30 pm
15	Plymouth Sate *	(H)	1:00 pm
18	Worcester State College *	(A)	7:00 pm
20	Clark University	(H)	4:00 pm
22	Salem State College *	(H)	1:00 pm
25	Framingham State *	(A)	4:00 pm
29	Bridgewater State *	(H)	12:00 pm

 

October

Date	Against	Place	Time
2	Fitchburg State *	(H)	4:00 PM
4	Mass. Institute of Tech.	(A)	6:00 PM
6	Westfied State College*	(A)	12:00 PM
11	Babson College	(A)	7:00 PM
13	U. of Southern Maine *	(A)	1:00 PM
16	E. Conn. State *	(H)	4:00 PM
18	Stonehill College	(A)	3:30 PM
20	Keene State College *	(A)	2:00 PM
23	Little East Conference Tournament	TBA	TBA
26	Little East Conference Tournament	TBA	TBA
27	Little East Conference Tournament	TBA	TBA

Jim Mullins
Administrative Assistant
UMass Dartmouth Athletic Department
285 Old Westport Road
Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300
Phone: (508) 910-6930
Fax: (508) 999-8867
Email: jmullins@umassd.edu