Deacon Sports Xtra: Deacs Set to Build on Success
8/22/2023 10:25:00 AM | Field Hockey
The Wake Forest field hockey team finished the 2022 campaign on quite a roll, winning nine of its last 10 contests including five ACC tilts. They finished second in the conference and earned yet another NCAA Tournament bid before falling 3-1 to St. Joseph's in Chapel Hill. They finished the season ranked No. 10 nationally.
While reigning ACC Coach of the Year Jennifer Averill loses some key veteran leaders from that squad, she's focused on using the upcoming 2023 season as a stable base for what the program will be for years to come.
"We graduated a really talented, mature and experienced group of women," Averill said. "This campaign will be about setting the course for the future. What have we been able to accomplish and how do we look at sustainability? How do we look at the women of the future who attend Wake Forest and help pave the way for the program moving forward? We want that sustainability year after year."
Looking back to the three consecutive national championships from 2002-04, Averill knows her best teams are ones that are player-led.
"I just sat on the bench and watched them," Averill said with a chuckle, remembering those all-time great Demon Deacon teams. "Take a look at our national championships — they are a product of student-athletes experiencing a way of paving the way. You whet their appetite, and that's what happened last year. We put that forward, in terms of winning big games. Coming in second in the ACC is a huge accomplishment. Sometimes you need those victories to create a sense of belief."
While the Deacons have lost three of their top four scorers from last year's 15-win squad in Meike Lanckohr, Sky Caron and Hannah Maxwell, Averill has added 10 talented freshmen and one key transfer player to the roster.
"For those who have graduated, it's not about departing — it's about leaving your legacy so that others can carry that forward," Averill said. "That's what we're hoping for with this strong group of women who were with us last year, plus the talented group of 10 freshmen we're bringing in along with the one graduate student who has joined us."
Close to 20 of the players were on campus for the second summer term, working individually on training while advancing their academic work during the offseason.
"The funding that our alums and supporters have so graciously given to the field hockey program, we've put that right back into the student-athlete experience," Averill said. "I think that helps the new ones appreciate the course load that will be required once the fall semester starts. It also allows them the opportunity to establish the foundation of the cultural pieces, which is so significant to Wake Forest Field Hockey. So many of them are from all over the globe, so having the ability to get them acclimated is vital."
Practice started on Aug. 9 for the Demon Deacons, with three scrimmages looming for the team. They faced Liberty in the first week, and North Carolina and App State at home to close out the preseason.
"We hit the ground running," Averill said. "We had three scrimmages this year, and that was intentional. When you bring in nearly 40 percent new players, you want to make sure you're preparing them. We thought it would be strategic to go with a 17-game schedule in the fall, and sprinkle in three preseason games, to really get our eyes on the new players and see where they're at in terms of their decision-making. We wanted to create a competitive yet learning environment."
Four Demon Deacons were selected to attend the U-21 Junior Women's National Team Selection Camp, freshmen Anastasia Franco, Mia Schoenbeck and Ava Moore, and sophomore Ellie Todd. Three players Nat Friedman (USA) Brooke McCusker (Canada) and Grace Delmotte (Canada) had the opportunity to play for their country's national team during the summer.
"It's a reflection of these incredible young women and their appetite to play at the highest level," Averill said. "I'm incredibly proud for them to have this opportunity."
There are several freshmen who Averill believes will have the opportunity to contribute early this season.
"Rory Heslin from Long Island — we have really fast players, and to make this kid make our fastest players look just okay is really fascinating. She's really going to push the envelope. Georgia Leary from St. Louis was a bit under the radar but can play every position. We're super excited to see where she will land and how she will add productivity to any line. I have no idea where I'm going to play her.
"Anna Franco has just exploded and showed others what we saw a year-and-a-half ago. If she just absorbs everything and focuses on being the best version of herself, she's going to be a big help. Then Mia Schoenbeck is going to have a heavy load to fill from where Sky (Caron) departed.
"We've got a whole list of individuals who we are super excited about."
The Deacs will be playing on a brand-new turf surface installed by AstroTurf during the spring.
"It just accentuates our campus — it just pops," Averill said. "The darker green is so much more soothing to the eyes. How we've branded it is just beautiful. Structurally and aesthetically, it just adds great value to the beauty of our campus. We couldn't be more excited to begin the season and show our talents on this brand new turf. We're so grateful to the people who made this happen for us."
With 31 years leading the Demon Deacons, Averill was signed to a long-term extension announced in May. The legendary coach has claimed three national championships and earned eight ACC Coach of the Year honors during her tenure so far.
"Every day when I show up for work, I can be guaranteed my name plate will be right there as I enter the office," Averill said about the extension. "They haven't changed the name yet.
"I always say that I get to go to work instead of having to go to work. Being able to be a part of this institution and represent these young women is one of the most blessed things a human being in my position could possibly have. I didn't go to college to be a coach. In hindsight, everything works out the way it's supposed to. Over my 30-plus years of coaching, I've looked at this as a calling. I'm learning the art of teaching."
She's looking forward to this season and the incoming class being part of a group of women that continues to lead Wake Forest field hockey to the top of conference and national rankings while competing for championships.
"We'll need flexibility, knowing we're going to run some different presses than we have in the past," she said. "How quickly can the new kids learn that style? The graduation of a couple key players put a huge demand on our productivity. How are we generating our scoring opportunities? Is that going to be a byproduct of our set pieces? Is that going to be in transition and open-field goals?
"I'm certain we're fit and we'll have, based on our experience from last year, an insatiable appetite to grow. How we choose to define success this year will be in different, creative ways. You don't want to put too much pressure on them comparing them to last year's squad. But they're eager and incredibly competitive. That's what we're looking for out of them."
The Deacs will open the regular season in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in Chapel Hill on Friday, before returning for the home opener against William & Mary on Friday, Sept. 1.
While reigning ACC Coach of the Year Jennifer Averill loses some key veteran leaders from that squad, she's focused on using the upcoming 2023 season as a stable base for what the program will be for years to come.
"We graduated a really talented, mature and experienced group of women," Averill said. "This campaign will be about setting the course for the future. What have we been able to accomplish and how do we look at sustainability? How do we look at the women of the future who attend Wake Forest and help pave the way for the program moving forward? We want that sustainability year after year."
Looking back to the three consecutive national championships from 2002-04, Averill knows her best teams are ones that are player-led.
"I just sat on the bench and watched them," Averill said with a chuckle, remembering those all-time great Demon Deacon teams. "Take a look at our national championships — they are a product of student-athletes experiencing a way of paving the way. You whet their appetite, and that's what happened last year. We put that forward, in terms of winning big games. Coming in second in the ACC is a huge accomplishment. Sometimes you need those victories to create a sense of belief."
While the Deacons have lost three of their top four scorers from last year's 15-win squad in Meike Lanckohr, Sky Caron and Hannah Maxwell, Averill has added 10 talented freshmen and one key transfer player to the roster.
"For those who have graduated, it's not about departing — it's about leaving your legacy so that others can carry that forward," Averill said. "That's what we're hoping for with this strong group of women who were with us last year, plus the talented group of 10 freshmen we're bringing in along with the one graduate student who has joined us."
Close to 20 of the players were on campus for the second summer term, working individually on training while advancing their academic work during the offseason.
"The funding that our alums and supporters have so graciously given to the field hockey program, we've put that right back into the student-athlete experience," Averill said. "I think that helps the new ones appreciate the course load that will be required once the fall semester starts. It also allows them the opportunity to establish the foundation of the cultural pieces, which is so significant to Wake Forest Field Hockey. So many of them are from all over the globe, so having the ability to get them acclimated is vital."
Practice started on Aug. 9 for the Demon Deacons, with three scrimmages looming for the team. They faced Liberty in the first week, and North Carolina and App State at home to close out the preseason.
"We hit the ground running," Averill said. "We had three scrimmages this year, and that was intentional. When you bring in nearly 40 percent new players, you want to make sure you're preparing them. We thought it would be strategic to go with a 17-game schedule in the fall, and sprinkle in three preseason games, to really get our eyes on the new players and see where they're at in terms of their decision-making. We wanted to create a competitive yet learning environment."
Four Demon Deacons were selected to attend the U-21 Junior Women's National Team Selection Camp, freshmen Anastasia Franco, Mia Schoenbeck and Ava Moore, and sophomore Ellie Todd. Three players Nat Friedman (USA) Brooke McCusker (Canada) and Grace Delmotte (Canada) had the opportunity to play for their country's national team during the summer.
"It's a reflection of these incredible young women and their appetite to play at the highest level," Averill said. "I'm incredibly proud for them to have this opportunity."
There are several freshmen who Averill believes will have the opportunity to contribute early this season.
"Rory Heslin from Long Island — we have really fast players, and to make this kid make our fastest players look just okay is really fascinating. She's really going to push the envelope. Georgia Leary from St. Louis was a bit under the radar but can play every position. We're super excited to see where she will land and how she will add productivity to any line. I have no idea where I'm going to play her.
"Anna Franco has just exploded and showed others what we saw a year-and-a-half ago. If she just absorbs everything and focuses on being the best version of herself, she's going to be a big help. Then Mia Schoenbeck is going to have a heavy load to fill from where Sky (Caron) departed.
"We've got a whole list of individuals who we are super excited about."
The Deacs will be playing on a brand-new turf surface installed by AstroTurf during the spring.
"It just accentuates our campus — it just pops," Averill said. "The darker green is so much more soothing to the eyes. How we've branded it is just beautiful. Structurally and aesthetically, it just adds great value to the beauty of our campus. We couldn't be more excited to begin the season and show our talents on this brand new turf. We're so grateful to the people who made this happen for us."
With 31 years leading the Demon Deacons, Averill was signed to a long-term extension announced in May. The legendary coach has claimed three national championships and earned eight ACC Coach of the Year honors during her tenure so far.
"Every day when I show up for work, I can be guaranteed my name plate will be right there as I enter the office," Averill said about the extension. "They haven't changed the name yet.
"I always say that I get to go to work instead of having to go to work. Being able to be a part of this institution and represent these young women is one of the most blessed things a human being in my position could possibly have. I didn't go to college to be a coach. In hindsight, everything works out the way it's supposed to. Over my 30-plus years of coaching, I've looked at this as a calling. I'm learning the art of teaching."
She's looking forward to this season and the incoming class being part of a group of women that continues to lead Wake Forest field hockey to the top of conference and national rankings while competing for championships.
"We'll need flexibility, knowing we're going to run some different presses than we have in the past," she said. "How quickly can the new kids learn that style? The graduation of a couple key players put a huge demand on our productivity. How are we generating our scoring opportunities? Is that going to be a byproduct of our set pieces? Is that going to be in transition and open-field goals?
"I'm certain we're fit and we'll have, based on our experience from last year, an insatiable appetite to grow. How we choose to define success this year will be in different, creative ways. You don't want to put too much pressure on them comparing them to last year's squad. But they're eager and incredibly competitive. That's what we're looking for out of them."
The Deacs will open the regular season in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in Chapel Hill on Friday, before returning for the home opener against William & Mary on Friday, Sept. 1.
Players Mentioned
Midfield
/ Field Hockey
Midfield/Forward
/ Field Hockey
Midfield
/ Field Hockey
Forward
/ Field Hockey
Midfield
/ Field Hockey
Midfield
/ Field Hockey
Forward
/ Field Hockey
Forward
/ Field Hockey
Back
/ Field Hockey
Goalkeeper
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