2005 Field Hockey Preview
8/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 17, 2005
Winston-Salem, N.C. - Entering the 2005 season, the Wake Forest field hockey team has the opportunity to do something that no other team in the history of the sport has done - to win four consecutive National Championships. But, instead of looking toward the NCAA Tournament, head coach Jennifer Averill is focusing on the regular season and the ACC Tournament.
"Every year we humble ourselves," Averill said. "We respect what the staff and players from the previous year have done. Our long term goal is to play in the championship game of the ACC Tournament, but first we must focus on the season."
Before reaching the post-season, the Demon Deacons first must work on developing as a team. Losing Kelly Dostal, the 2004 National Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year, in addition to two-time All-American defender Claire Laubach, the Deacs must rework the offense and refine the defense.
"Every year it is tough to see the veteran players leave," said Averill. "Last year it was Kelly Dostal, Claire Laubach, Claire Lawhon and Merrilee Robbins. What this program does very well is plant seeds in the underclassman. They appreciate and understand that it is necessary to step up to the plate. Instead of replacing players, others step up and create ownership of the team. The same will happen this season with our seniors and juniors. In addition, the experience of the sophomores and our large incoming class will help us achieve our goals."
Front:
This season, the Demon Deacons will look to spread out the scoring with the added depth of strong freshmen. The experience of the upperclassmen will lead the team in the front lines.
"The majority of our scoring last year came from Tamar and Kelly (Dostal). This year we will look to change it up and have a number of different players find the back of the cage," said Averill.
Juniors Haley Scott and Kristi Harshman will step up into a central role, leading the offense.
"Harshman will do well in the center," said Averill. "She demands the ball and has proven she can finish inside the circle.
"Haley was the surprise of the 2004 season and we are looking for her to come back and continue to evolve as a player. She has so much agility and speed. She is good in open space and can finish."
Playing alongside Haley Scott, possibly up front or in the middle will be her twin sister, Tracey.
"When you put the twins together, it is awesome," said Averill. "If Tracey has the ball, it is hard to contend with her speed and strength. The two have so much explosiveness and they work well together. If you play one at mid and one above, they have the sense of what the other is going to do. They have an instinct that other players don't. They know each other's patterns and it is a great advantage to us."
Christine Suggs and Minou Gimbrere, two newcomers to the squad, will also provide strength to the front line.
"Suggs is so graceful and smooth on the ball. But if she loses it, she is adamant about getting it back," said Averill. "She is the kind of forward that is very good at tackling back.
"Minou is unbelievable from inside the 25. She has the ability to put the ball in the back of the cage, so we will look for her for some scoring depth. Her quick, efficient and finesse style of play will compliment the rest of the team nicely."
Sophomores Chelsea Cipriani and Lauren Love will add depth to the attack.
"Chelsea may be one of the smallest players on the field, but she has one of the quickest and hardest releases on the ball. She has great creativity, which makes her difficult to defend," said Averill. "Lauren is continually improving. As she continues with her game, so will her scoring opportunities and depth."
Midfield:
Historically, a very strong part of the Wake Forest program, the middle will continue to be a strong in both the attack and the defense of the Deacon game. Led by players with experience and complimented with skillful newcomers, the Demon Deacons will again be a force to be reckoned with.
Stepping into a central role this season will be NFHCA second team All-American, Maeke Boreel.
"Maeke is a key factor in generating the attack," Averill said. "She is one of the best in the country in seeing and reading the play. She is potentially up there as one of the best players in the ACC and we will look for her to step up and take ownership of her position."
Joining Boreel as an anchor in the middle will fellow senior Kelly Wood, who will help generate points from both the front and the middle. Regarded as one of the best inside the 25, Wood's experience and skill will be a distinct advantage for the team.
"Kelly has some of the best skills in the country and her hand speed and distribution is phenomenal. She is going to be in a great position to really step up and be one of our go-to players on the field. I would like to see her generate some more attack and find some goals," Averill said.
Incoming freshman Michelle Kasold will also help solidify the middle. An U-21 National Team member, Kasold was selected to play at the Junior World Cup along with Crandall and Whitten.
"Michelle is a great playmaker and is extremely explosive. She is demanding inside the circle and in the midfield," Averill said.
Back:
On the defensive end, the Deacs will return Kristina Gagliardi, last year's starting goalie. The only goalkeeper to keep Duke scoreless all season and with a 1.25 goals against average, Gagliardi will continue to grow as a defender. Backing up Gagliardi will be freshman Crystal Duffield, a product of West Potomac High School in Potomac, Md.
"Kristina needs to build on her consistency," said Averill. "She will have more responsibility. She has shown that she can hold her own. She grew a lot last year and that is what you want to see from a player."
"Crystal is a young goalie," said Averill. "She will grow and develop over the course of the season."
Anchoring the back will be be junior Lauren Crandall. One of three Wake Forest players on the U-21 National Team and a third team All-American, Crandall is a versatile player that is vicious from all angles.
"Lauren plays with such confidence and energy. She is not stressed and she looks like she is enjoying herself on the field," said Averill. "You can put her at any position and she will stand out. That is what makes her a threat to the other teams."
Junior Jamie Whitten, also a member of the U-21 National team, will join Crandall as an anchor in the back.
"Jamie will be a central defender for us this season," said Averill. "Her experience on the U-21 team helped refine her skills and improve her confidence."
Along with Crandall and Whitten, senior Ariel Meyers will create havoc for the opponents offense with her speed and agility. One of the most underrated players on the field, she caught a lot of attention last season, particularly during postseason play.
"Ariel is very explosive. Her first two or three steps are very dynamic, which causes problems for opponents," said Averill. "She is more of an intercepting type of defender and she looks to generate a lot of counter attacks for our back-field."
Senior Martha Ferger returns to the defense after a solid off-season.
"Martha has worked very hard and she will step up and be a key component of our team, both on and off the field," said Averill.
Averill also hopes that freshmen Liz Fries, Lou-Trice Gamble and Katy Narron will make solid impressions in their first season in Wake Forest uniforms.
"With her distribution skills, Liz will see action in our backfield," said Averill. "Her hit and her speed of execution need a bit of work, but without a doubt, she is one of those freshmen that has the potential to make an impact on this team."
"Lou-Trice will also add depth to our defensive line," said Averill. "She is a very strong defender and as she gains experience with decision-making and patterns, she will develop into a threat to the other team."
Opponents:
Opening the year at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the Deacs travel to the midwest to face Iowa and Michigan. Returning to Winston-Salem, Wake will continue on its path against Big Ten opponents as the Deacs host Indiana. The next weekend, the Deacs begin ACC competition against Duke, the 2003 and 2004 NCAA runner-ups.
Playing through the ACC schedule, the Deacs will also face teams from Conference USA, Mid-American, Atlantic-10, Big South and the NorPac.
"I like the fact that we have a great compliment of Big Ten schools. They are great competition for us to help build and prepare for the ACC schools," said Averill. "We play Duke early on, which is awesome competition for us.
"The ACC itself is packed again and with the addition of Boston College, it just adds more depth to an already premier conference. We are going to take one game at a time. It is a process and we are excited to evolve along the way. It is going to be a great year and I am excited about what lies ahead."
