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By the standards of most schools, the Huskies' 16-3 record and berth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoffs would be considers a successful year. But, for Bloomsburg and coach Jan Hutchinson with nine national championships to her name, last year was something of a disappointment. The team failed to reach the PSAC finals for the first time in 10 years and the NCAA playoffs for the time since the NCAA established championships for women in 1982.

“I think winning four straight national championships made us (Bloomsburg) complacent in some ways,” said Hutchinson. “Everyone marked us as the big game on their schedule and we didn't play to our ability.”

“We need to get the fire back in us along with being more focused and driven,” Hutchinson said. “We have a good group of returning players and a strong freshmen class coming which should help us reach our goal of getting back to the NCAA tournament.”

ATTACK

The Huskies attack will be strong this year despite the graduation of three starters. Tara Fabian is the lone returning senior, while Sheila Zilinski and Nikki Hartranft had very good freshmen seasons. Zilinski, who scored nine goals as a freshman, played this past summer with the Pennsylvania Pride of the U.S. Field Hockey Assocation and gained even more experience. Sophomore Steph Beck and Ball State transfer, Shanna Fritz, will also contribute. Fritz scored five times and had four assists at Ball State last season. Several freshmen, Lisa Pavone, Alyson Bevan and Draye Douty will also challenge to see time on the attack. Overall, the offense will be fast and aggressive.

MIDFIELD

A key area for the team will be the midfield. Look for Marlea Partlon, who played this summer with the Pennsylvania Pride, and Liz Martin to move between the mid and back areas. Along with returning right mid starter Tonya Aikey, they give the Huskies a strong group of players. Also, sophomores Erin McConnell and Marci Zilinski along with freshman all-state player Sharla Partlon will compete for playing time in the midfield or back lines.

DEFENSE

Marlea Partlon, Liz Martin and Tonya Aikey will anchor the defense. Sophomores Marci Zilinski and Erin McConnell have varsity experience from last year and should add strength to the defense right away. Sharla Partlon has the ability to add depth to the defense, while some of last year's junior varsity defenders will challenge for time including Nicky Green, Kate Hershour, Marci Hayduk, Dani Tevis and Julie Minogue.

GOALIES

Trish Leitzel, a two-time All-American, returns for the Huskies in goal. Leitzel has worked hard over the summer to get even better and goes into the season needing just two more shutouts to move into fifth place on the school's all-time career list. Backing up Leitzel will be junior Jamie Hartman and freshman Amy Jones, an all-state performer in high school.

“As in most years we will be the team to beat on many of opponents schedules,” said Hutchinson. “Our goal is to find a system that will work best for the players we have, then have the newcomers gel quickly with the returnees to form a solid team. Our focus needs to be on how we play together on the field.”

“In terms of our competition, Lock Haven will again be strong as they return a solid nucleus of players,” said Hutchinson. “IUP, East Stroudsburg and Shippensburg should also be strong teams this year.”