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The Bloomsburg University field hockey team has had a lot of time to think about what might have been. The team finished the 2001 season as the hottest team in the country, winning nine straight games to close out the year. If not for a few early season losses, the team would have been in the national playoffs competing for yet another NCAA title. Instead, the team, although it was red-hot, watched as other schools earned the trip to the post-season.

This year, though, the Huskies want to take care of business and earn a trip to post-season and battle for its ninth NCAA Division II title.

“We have a strong group of returning players who are hungry and want to get back to the post-season,” said Bloomsburg coach Jan Hutchinson.

“Our spring practices also went very well and we have some very good players coming into the program along with a new assistant coach, so the expectations are very high for us,” Hutchinson continued.

The Huskies lost four starters from a year ago, but do return three All-Americans, Shanna Fritz, Nikki Hartranft and Trish Leitzel to the lineup. The Huskies also have a great class of recruits and combined with a strong offensive attack and great goalkeeping, the team has lots of reasons for optimism.

Shanna Fritz

“The strength of our team is our attack,” said Hutchinson. “We return almost our entire attack team led by Fritz along with Sheila Zilinski and Hartranft. Add in Keri Beckhorn, a senior transfer from Louisville, and our attack should be able to carry us right from the beginning.”

After transferring from Ball State, Fritz came in and led the team in scoring with 19 goals to go along with six assists to earn first team All-American honors. Joining Fritz on the attack were Hartranft, a second team All-American, and Sheila Zilinski. Hartranft was second in goals scored with 13 and added a team-high eight assists. Zilinski finished with five goals and four assists.

Sheila Zilinski

Joining that solid group of players is Beckhorn, who two years ago led Louisville with 11 goals and tied for the team-high in assists with 12.

Adding depth on the forward line for Bloomsburg will be Steph Beck, Julie Orner and Elyce Morring, along with star freshmen recruits Marie Zorzi, an All-State performer from Crestwood High School, Noelle Fuller, also from Crestwood, and Kristi Ney, a Central Dauphin graduate.

If there is one question mark with this year's team it would be the midfield. Two of last seasons starters, Tonya Aikey and Liz Martin, are no longer playing, leaving just Sharla Partlon, last year's PSAC Rookie of the Year, as the lone returning player at that position.

“We will need to work on filling the open spots in training camp,” said Hutchinson. “But, I know whoever plays there will do a great job for us.”

Partlon, a center mid, who had a great first season and looked good in the spring, will anchor whatever turns out to be the midfield lineup. Alison Poff, a talented sophomore, will battle for one of the starting jobs this year, as will incoming freshmen Marie Mielke from Line Mountain and Erica Besacker from Waynesboro. Erin McConnell, who has played all three line positions for the Huskies, could anchor one of the midfield positions, while some of last year's JV players, Erin Bosch and Pam Cianni, will also battle for time.

Despite losing All-American Marlea Partlon, the Huskies are still strong on the defensive side of the ball. Returning players Marci Zilinski and Erin McConnell give the Huskies two solid performers in the back. They will be joined by Lauren Lusignea, Nicole Green, Brandy Weller and Monica Misiak, who will be trying to move into a starter's role.

This position is certainly one of the strongest for the team this season. Joining three-time All-American Trish Leitzel will be fellow senior Jamie Hartman, sophomore Amy Jones and freshman Crystal Condron.

“Leitzel is probably the most fundamentally sound goalkeeper in Division II,” Hutchinson said. “She has great technique and has gotten more assertive. Jamie (Hartman) looked strong in the spring season and will challenge Leitzel for playing time.”

Both Jones and Condron provide depth at this key position. Jones is a sophomore and former All-State performer from Crestwood High School, while Condron was in goal for last year's Hershey High School, last year's PIAA state champions.

The Huskies will have a new assistant on the sidelines this year as Gary Agard joins Jan Hutchinson's staff. Agard, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, and brings a great deal of experience to the staff.

“I've known Gary (Agard) for six years from his having worked our summer camps,” said Hutchinson. “He has played and coached internationally for 20 years and is a very good teacher. He relates well with the kids and we are excited to try some new training techniques and strategies that he brings with him.”

“We are looking forward to the challenge of the upcoming season,” said Hutchinson. “Our players want to return to post-season play and are willing to work to make that goal come true. They are excited to get started.”