Wake Forest Athletics
Field Hockey Opens 2008 Practice
8/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 14, 2008
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest field hockey team officially opened practice for the 2008 season at Kentner Stadium on Thursday.
The Demon Deacons now have just over two weeks before they host the ACC/Big Ten Challenge which features Iowa in the first match of the season.
2008 Outlook
The Wake Forest field hockey squad wrapped up 2007 with its eighth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Final Four and expectations are still as high as ever for Jennifer Averill's Demon Deacons in the 2008 season.
"Every year we set out with the same expectations - let's go for the ACC Championship - let's try and be the best in our great conference. If we manage that task we'll put ourselves in great position for the NCAA Tournament.
"Last year I was extremely proud of this group. We gave ourselves a great chance to win the ACC's and we made it back to the final four. They were a young squad as far as experience and really managed to pull together when it counted the most. That is what this program has been built upon - that character," Wake Forest head coach Jennifer Averill said.
"This year's squad will have more depth, more experience and stronger unity. I believe we will have a tremendous senior class with some key veteran juniors leading the way as well.
"I think we learned some lessons in 2007. I think we grew in respect to those experiences," Averill said. "You have two choices in those situations, you can fall or grow. We grew.
"This year's squad will show that we have chosen some new standards that will bring unity to the team. We have a more cohesive supporting cast around the elected captains. Based on last years trials you will see a stronger set of character and morals rising. I think we have a tremendous senior class and have the strengths to really work well off one another."
The Deacons finished the season ranked third in the nation with a 16-6 overall record. In conference play, Wake Forest finished third behind eventual national champion North Carolina and the 2006 NCAA overall winner Maryland.
"I think that overall we are in a great position because as much as we got done last year there was still a feeling of loss because there were some things that showed potential but were untapped," Averill said.
"If we can keep ourselves organized and poised I believe we can be extremely threatening this season."
During spring exhibition play, Averill made some shuffles in the lineup and will keep several of the changes for the regular season.
WFU Attack
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Juniors Hilary Moore (Martinsville, Va.), Kim Romansky (Malvern, Pa.), and Regina Shannon (West Chester, Pa.) will return to the frontline this season, as well as sophomore Alex Wolfgang-Price (Downington, Pa.).
"The strength of our front line is a reflection of the defensive presence and dynamic attack of Kim and Hilary," Averill said.
Four newcomers are set to play upfront for the Deacs in 2008. Faith Adams (Great Falls, Va.), Kerry Ergen (Littleton, Colo.), Adelaide Knott (Perthshire, Scotland), and Dara Downs (Fairfax, Va.) are all part of the talented 2008 signing class that will be leading the scoring efforts for Wake in the upcoming seasons.
Midfield
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"Raisa is a great ball handler and is extremely dynamic," Averill said. "She is extremely threatening and we look for her to help generate our offense."
Junior Melissa Martin (Lancaster, Pa.) as well as senior Minou Gimbrere (Zwolle, Netherlands), will provide veteran guidance in the midfield for the Deacs. Gimbrere may also see playing time at a deeper position in the lineup after spending some time in the spring season at fullback.
Emily Cummings (Johnson City, N.Y.) possesses strong abilities in the midfield as well as the backline and will likely earn time in both areas. Cummings had a solid freshman campaign, becoming a team scoring leader with six goals and two assists.
Averill expects newcomers Lauren Greenwald (Carlsbad, Calif.) and Adelaide Knott to make an immediate impact in the center lineup for Wake Forest. Greenwald was a Futures standout in high school and caught the attention of the WFU coaching staff immediately.
"When I saw Lauren as a junior I thought she could play at this level. She is a huge asset for us," Averill said. "Adelaide has great international experience and we look forward to her contributions this season."
"Our midfield is very diversified and significant in this league. That's where you will see our best ball handlers like Melissa, Minou, Michelle and Raisa."
Backfield
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"Liz can score against the best," Averill said. "She really shines when she's playing in tight spaces."
Sophomore Liza Casella (Rutland, Vt.) will also be returning to the backfield in 2008. Casella made an impression on the coaching staff early in her career by jumping right into conference play during her rookie season with the aggression and passion of a seasoned veteran.
Senior Lou-Trice Gamble (Sugarland, Texas) will also be returning to the backfield in her final season with the Deacs.
Also competing for time in the defensive line this season will be standouts Kaitlin Piosa (Lehighton, Pa.) and Christen Atchison (Virginia Beach, Va.). The two rookies will likely also see time in the midfield as they look for their niche with the squad. Piosa has earned quality experience as a member of the U.S. National Indoor team.
In goal, returning senior keeper Crystal Duffield (Alexandria, Va.) is approaching her 100th career save. In her first complete season as starting goalkeeper, Duffield rose to the challenge in 2007 by showcasing her aggressive defensive style and vocal leadership.
Freshman Julia Young (Washington, D.C.) will be competing with Duffield for time in goal.
"Crystal is going to be challenged by Julia. She has shown that she posses the needed qualities to push Crystal," Averill said. "With Julia it will come down to her showing us she has enough experience and game savvy to play."
Schedule
The 2008 schedule includes ten home matches and six opponents that finished the 2007 season ranked in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association's (NFHCA) Top 10. The Deacons will open the season with the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, featuring Iowa and Michigan on August 30 and 31. The teams are Wake Forest's highest ranked non-conference opponents of the season, with Iowa finishing fifth and Michigan ranking sixth in the final 2007 poll.
Other top non-conference matches include a home contest against seventh-ranked James Madison on September 7 and a road match vs. No. 8 Michigan State on October 11.
"Our first five matches could be against top ten teams with Iowa, Michigan, James Madison, Carolina, and Duke. I think that is great testing ground to see exactly where we are," Averill said.
On October 11-12, Wake Forest is headed Evanston, Ill. to play two matches at Northwestern, Averill's alma mater.
"The trip to Northwestern gives us the chance to play two additional Big Ten opponents," Averill said. "The big ten is filled with quality opponents. I believe this is one of the toughest conferences."
League play will begin on September 13 with Duke, though the Deacs will face defending national champion North Carolina in Winston-Salem on September 5 for a match decision that won't count in the conference record. Wake Forest will meet the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill on October 4 for the official conference match.
All six ACC teams finished the season ranked by the NFHCA, with North Carolina leading the field at No. 1, followed by Wake Forest at No.2, Maryland at No. 3, Duke at No. 12, Boston College at No. 16, and Virginia at No. 18. In this season's ACC slate, the Deacons will host Duke and Maryland at Kentner Stadium.
For post-season play, Wake Forest will head to Durham for the Duke-hosted ACC Tournament November 5-9. Following early NCAA matches at regional sites, the University of Louisville will host the Final Four in Louisville, Ky.
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