UMass Dartmouth will combine six returning starters with talented class of newcomers for 2003 field hockey season

(Dartmouth, MA) – UMass Dartmouth field hockey coach Marilyn Ritz has plenty of experienced players returning and a host of newcomers to the program as the Corsiars look to improve their standing within the Little East Conference. A pair of late season victories by the Corsairs moved UMass Dartmouth (5-14 overall, 4-6 LEC) up to a tie for sixth place overall, earning a spot in the LEC Tournament, a finish Ritz hopes to improve upon in 2003.

UMass Dartmouth’s 2003 team will be lead by senior co-captains Meghan Apostolec (Plymouth, MA) and Wendy Crowther (Dartmouth, MA). A pair of experienced veteran players, Apostolec will provide steady goaltending for the Corsairs, while Crowther will be a key player at forward and midfield. Apostolec finished 10th in the LEC last year with a 2.29 goals against average, including one shutout and a 5-8 won-loss record. Crowther is the Corsairs’ top returning scorer, netting three goals and three assists for nine points last season.

“This year’s captains have been solid players during their careers at UMass Dartmouth,” said Ritz, who is entering her 20th season as the Corsairs’ field hockey coach. “They posses strong leadership qualities and work ethic and will be a positive influence in leading the team to a successful season.

In addition to Apostolec in goal, UMass Dartmouth will enter the season with important depth at that position. Ritz and assistant coach Joan Allison, who works with the goalies, have been impressed by the play of Jessica Tavares (Dartmouth, MA), Elizabeth Fitzgerald (Danvers, MA) and Kayla Baker (South Paris, ME).

“Coach Allison is extremely happy with this year’s turnout of a talented class of first-year goal keepers,” said Ritz. “All of the keepers have shown great skill and great desire to compete for playing time. The team will benefit from the depth of qualify players at this position and will be a strength to this year’s team.”

UMass Dartmouth will have six returning starters back from last season and 11 players back who were with the squad last year. Leading the returning players are Leah Segrin (Holden, MA), who was tied for fourth in team scoring last year with three goals for six points, along with Theresa Sousa (Taunton, MA), Kelly Doherty (Spencer, MA), Alisha Carson (Leicester, MA) and Jessica Roberts (Burlington, MA). Other returners include Beth Enko (Orange, MA), Caitlin Nottebart (Walpole, MA) and Lauren Izzicupo (Stoneham, MA), who returns after a season studying abroad.

To solidify the roster this season, Ritz brought in several first-year players. Among the new players on the Corsair roster this season are Lauren Mannarino (Mansfield, MA), a transfer from the University of Rhode Island. Mannarino is a versatile player who has excellent skills and an understanding of the game. Amy Famulari (Nahant, MA) will be back in the lineup after being sidelined with an illness last year, while Kimberly Belyea (Swansea, MA) is a first-year player from Case High School who was her team MVP last year. Sara Fitta (Fall River, MA) is a good defensive player who has shows she can play either sweeper or back. Jessica Peixoto (Dartmouth, MA) was an Eastern Athletic Conference All Star with great athletic ability and should see some playing time as a forward or midfielder.

“The success of this year’s team will depend on how quickly the first-year players adjust to collegiate play and the entire team to playing together,” said Ritz. “We had a veteran defensive unit that graduated and had played together throughout their careers a UMass Dartmouth. The early part of the season will be learning how to work together as a unit. Everyone is capable of making immediate contributions, but we will be relying on the experience of our veteran players in the early going.”

After several challenging non-conference games to open the schedule, UMass Dartmouth will host Plymouth State College on Sept. 20 to being play in the 11-team Little East Conference.

“The LEC is a very competitive conference where one game can often determine the final standings,” said Ritz. “We are gearing up for another run at the conference title and home field advantage for the conference playoffs. Again, in the tradition of UMass Dartmouth field hockey, this season should prove to be another exciting and competitive season.”