Northwestern Preparing for Season-Opening Wildcat Classic

8/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

Aug. 21, 2009

NU Field Hockey Fall Newsletter (PDF)

EVANSTON, Ill. -- First-year Northwestern head coach Tracey Fuchs has wasted no time imparting her coaching philosophies and team identity to her new squad. NU fans can get their first glimpse of the new-look 'Cats when Northwestern hosts the four-team Wildcat Classic Aug. 28-31, opening play against Boston University at 11 a.m. Friday.

The complete schedule for the Wildcat Classic at Lakeside Field is as follows:

Friday, Aug. 28:
        11 a.m. -- Northwestern vs. Boston University
        2 p.m. -- Maryland vs. Ohio
Saturday, Aug. 29:
        Noon -- Maryland vs. Boston University
        3 p.m. -- Northwestern vs. Ohio
Sunday, Aug. 30: NO GAMES
Monday, Aug. 31:
        Noon -- Northwestern vs. Maryland

Along with associate head coach Carla Tagliente and assistant coach April Fronzoni--both of whom have played or coached alongside Fuchs at the collegiate and international levels--Fuchs has introduced a new brand of field hockey to a talented returning Wildcats lineup that brings back seven starters. Throughout her first offseason practice schedule at NU, Fuchs demanded constant effort, focus and grit from her players, who were out to prove themselves in front of a new coaching staff.

"I thought we had a really good spring practice schedule and that we really made progress in the way we play," Fuchs said. "We had a lot of our girls playing plenty of field hockey at a high level this summer so I expect them be very confident and ready to go."

Below is a position-by-position preview of the 2009 Northwestern field hockey team:

FORWARDS
Late last season, Northwestern saw two particular players step up and declare themselves ready to be consistent scoring threats on the offensive end. Seniors Elizabeth Dobbs and Courtney Plaster-Strange both developed a nose for the goal, finishing second and third, respectively, in points and goals scored for NU. They seem prepared to account for the loss of the departed Alexandra Quinn and her team-best 14 goals from last season and will look forward to increased contributions from Regan Mooney and Olivia Standa.
According to Coach Fuchs: "We definitely will be looking to Liz and Courtney to create opportunities for us but I really think our corner attack unit will need to step up to take some pressure off our primary forwards."

MIDFIELDERS
Arguably NU's strongest unit, the midfield line figures to provide the same type of stability and two-way effort it demonstrated last season. Senior Stephanie Fortson will once again anchor the middle of the field and this year will be joined by Jill Putnam, a senior with a wealth of experience and playmaking ability who missed last season due to injury. With former high school teammates Stacy Uchida and Jaimie Orrico as well as the dangerous Kendra Sirak running the sidelines, NU should be able to create plenty of scoring opportunities for its forwards.
According to Coach Fuchs: "With Stephanie, Stacy and Kendra, we have a lot of experience in the midfield and won't need to waste time letting them gel. Stacy is one of our best leaders so we'll go as she goes and I expect really big things from her."

DEFENDERS
The back line is another source of experience for Northwestern, beginning with centerback Sarah Marcincin, who started all 20 games for NU in 2008. Zoe Almquist and Kaylee Pohlmeyer gained starting experience on the outside as underclassmen last year and could be joined in the mix by talented freshmen Shannon Disbrow and Colleen Petronchak.
According to Coach Fuchs: "There have been some rule changes this year regarding free restarts that will require our backline players to be very good stickhandlers as well as good defenders. We've focused a lot on that and I feel very comfortable with our experience there."

GOALKEEPERS
Despite losing a three-year starter in Emily Kyle to graduation, Wildcat fans shouldn't worry about a drop-off in play in the cage. Katie Lynch has plenty of game experience for the 'Cats and is ready to take the reins as the starter, while freshman Amanda Wirth also will be vying for playing time right from the start.
According to Coach Fuchs: "I think it's really going to be a battle at goalkeeper. Katie had a great spring and we're bringing in a top goalie recruit in Amanda so I like our depth and options in the cage."

All NU home games feature free admission and parking at Lakeside Field. For live updates on Northwestern field hockey and all Wildcat sports, follow us on Twitter on the username @NU_Sports.