Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Poised to Open 2006 Season
8/25/2006 12:00:00β―AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 25, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern embarks on the 2006 campaign this weekend as it travels east to battle a pair of Mid-American Conference (MAC) teams in Miami (Ohio) and Ball State. Both matches are slated for noon Central time on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
"I am extremely excited to see our team in action," head coach Kelly McCollum said. "I have been impressed with our discipline and determination to improve each day during the preseason. We are an energetic group with exciting goals and I am confident that we have the talent and leadership to do great things this season."
Series Records
The Wildcats hold a 7-0 all-time record against the RedHawks, who were picked to finish first in the preseason MAC coaches' poll. NU also owns the all-time series record against Ball State, going 12-7-2.
Season Preview
The philosophy of the field hockey program has been McCollum's belief that "you have to play the best to be the best." Thus, the 2006 schedule includes many heavyweights that will again challenge the Wildcats. In nonconference play, NU begins by battling Mid-American Conference power Miami (Ohio). The RedHawks were picked to finish first in the MAC's preseason coaches' poll. After opening on the road, NU returns to Evanston to host Missouri State and Maine. The 'Cats will then swing out east to compete with some of the nation's best. A three-game gauntlet, which includes preseason No. 19 Virginia, No. 6 American and No. 1 Maryland will test the will of the young team. Bouts with Stanford and Yale precede a tough conference slate.
Their Big Ten schedule is no cakewalk either as all five conference opponents are ranked in the preseason NFHCA poll. The 'Cats will face every opponent once, but will play Iowa twice. Northwestern received votes in the preseason poll.
The Players
With only five seniors returning on a roster filled with underclassmen, including nine freshmen, McCollum realizes the importance in using her most experienced players.
"Christina Foley (Cape Elizabeth, Maine/Cape Elizabeth), as the sweeper, is going to anchor the backfield," McCollum said. "We will rely on her leadership and playing experience. Amanda Care (Newtown, Pa./Pennsbury), also a captain, is returning much healthier after a full year of recovery from rehab. We will really counting on their leadership to command and solidify the backfield."
Senior midfielder Meghan Small (Bethlehem, Pa./Moravian Academy) brings the most experience to the field. The Bethlehem, Pa. native, who also was named to the all-academic NFHCA list last season, was second on the team with eight goals in 2005.
"Meg brings a great deal of knowledge and skill talent that will help our midfield be the glue that holds both sides of the field together," McCollum said.
"Offensively, I think Cassie Miller (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) is a tremendous attacking midfielder who helps generate speed and attack and scoring opportunities," said McCollum. "The front line is going to be exciting in that there is a lot of depth. There are some new faces and young players. Some who are ready to take on new roles and there will be incoming freshmen who will contribute in that area as well."
Nine freshmen will don Wildcat purple this fall, McCollum's largest recruiting class in her three years.
"It's a large class with a lot of energetic passionate field hockey players who are coming to Northwestern to help our program make a statement in the Big Ten. They bring a lot of different experiences from different parts of the country and we are excited for them to join the current team and help our program grow."
While statistically, last season's record was not stellar, the underclassmen's exposure to stiff competition should pay dividends this season as they tutor the incoming freshmen.
"We feel we have the tools to improve in our areas of weakness," McCollum said. "There is more of a positive energy about having fun, enjoying what we're doing and seeing success in the end. Sometimes it just takes bringing everyone back to the same page and refocusing energies and commitment to the program. There is a stronger feeling of investment and accountability and responsibility this season."
