by Jim Mullins
Assistant Director
Sports Information

Corsairs roster features 13 new players plus five returning veterans for 1998

You can't fault Corsair field hockey coach Marilyn Ritz if she has to look at a team roster for her first few games this season.

UMass Dartmouth returns only five starters from last year's 9-9 squad, but Ritz hopes to more than offset the lack of overall experience by adding 13 newcomers, many of whom might be able make an impact in their first season.

"The additional players helped us gain a lot of depth in defensive positions, something we were lacking last season," said Ritz, who is entering her 16th year with a 129-87-18 career record. "With only five returning starters, the team's early success will depend on how quickly the younger players learn the system and each other."

One of the returnees Ritz and the young Corsairs will be looking to early will
be sophomore forward and co-captain Ashley Dorman (Harwich, MA). With a team-leading eight goals and one assist last season, Dorman's 17 points established her as one of the Corsairs' top offensive players heading into this season.

Senior co-captain Sara Dipilato (Shrewsbury, MA) joins Dorman along with junior defender Erin McHugh (Dartmouth, MA), sophomore Erin McDonald (Greenfield, MA) and sophomore goalkeeper Paula Malcom (Milford, MA) as the Corsairs' other top returning players.

Ritz also points to junior forward Becky Chase (Westport, MA), sophomore forward Sandy Methe (Whitinsville, MA) and sophomore defender Sarah Tuxbury (Sudbury, MA) as three players who gained valuable experience a year ago and from whom she is hoping for key contributions. Junior defender Carolyn Catulo (Dartmouth, MA) and sophomore defender Cara Fidalgo (Winchester, MA) also picked up experience on defense and could see more action this season.

Malcom is coming off a very solid first season with the Corsairs last year. In 10 games guarding UMass Dartmouth's net, Malcom allowed only seven goals, chalking up 60 saves for a goals against average of 0.83. She earned 3.5 shutouts during the season. Backing up Malcom in goal will be first-year players Jennifer Burrows (Hubbardston, MA) and Cassana Ouellette (Tewksbury, MA).

Another player Ritz will be looking at as a returning veteran will be sophomore Jennifer McGuinness (E. Taunton, MA), who returns after taking a year off for military service. McGuinness was a starter as a first-year player on the UMass Dartmouth team which finished 13-4 and qualified for the ECAC Division III playoffs in 1996.

Two of the first-year players joining the Corsairs' roster for the first time this season are products of outstanding local field hockey programs. Caroline Kocor (Fairhaven, MA, MA) played her field hockey at Dartmouth High, while Andrea Goggin (Acushnet, MA) played at Bishop Stang High School. Ritz said both players could be used on either defense or at midfield.

Ritz said there will be plenty of competition for a spot on the forward line between Alexandra Wildes (Carver, MA), Sara Supino (W. Springfield, MA) and Julie Remick (Buzzards Bay, MA), a sophomore, who did not play a season ago. Remick could also play midfield if needed.

Competing for defensive positions during the pre-season are Leigh-Ann Wiseman (Demarest, NJ), Deanna White (Essex, MA), Beth Murray (Springfield, MA), Christina Muise (Groton, MA) and Megan Foresteire (Spencer, MA).

At the key midfield positions, Ritz said she might be looking for a replacement for Erin McDonald, who could move to the forward line to take advantage of her speed and endurance. Among the other players competing for time as either midfielders or on defense, in addition to Kocor and Goggin, are Kristen Greene (Medfield, MA) and Jaclyn Michalos (Norwood, MA).

In addition to their work on the field, three members of Ritz's team have demonstrated outstanding work in the classroom as well. Dipilato, Chase and McHugh represented UMass Dartmouth on the National Field Hockey Coaches' Association Division III National Academic Squad last year and will be trying for a repeat performance this season. Dipilato has been named to the squad twice, while Chase and McHugh were first-time selections a year ago. In order to qualify, players much have been varsity starters or significant reserves with a minimum grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.

In addition to 13 new faces on the roster, the Corsairs will also have to get used to a new conference this season. For the first time this season, the Little East Conference is sponsoring competition in field hockey for 1998. The Corsairs will play Eastern Connecticut, Southern Maine, Keene State College and Plymouth State College before competing in the first LEC field hockey tournament on Oct 29 through November 1.