Kristi Ney

The quest to repeat as NCAA championship is never easy. Along with trying to replace graduated players, coaches also must deal with each team throwing its “A” game at a team all season long. Those are just some of the obstacles facing Bloomsburg coach Jan Hutchinson as she prepares her team to go after a record tying fourth straight title. (The Huskies are the only NCAA team ever to win four straight national titles accomplishing the feat from 1996-1999.) Overall, the Huskies will be going after their 13th national title under Hutchinson.

“We suffered some huge losses to graduation in All-Americans Sharla Partlon and Alison Poff,” said coach Jan Hutchinson. “Those two players were two of the best to play the midfield for us and they will be missed. In addition, we lost three other senior starters giving us five positions to replace. We have lots of talent, we just need to find the strongest combinations to put on the field each game.”

OFFENSE

The strength of this year's team will be its attack. Six of the team's top eight scorers, representing nearly 61 percent of last year's goal total, all return. Leading the way is senior All-American Kristi Ney and sophomore Ashley Heckard, who tied for the team high in goals scored with 13 each last year. In addition, junior Kristy Kropa, senior Marie Zorzi and sophomores Morgan Wolf and Kelly Trevisan. It was Trevisan's overtime goal in the NCAA title game which gave the Huskies the 2004 national championship. Also battling for playing time on the attack will be Tara Bourke, Colleen Greenlee, and Kristen Castano.

Tracey Hudak

DEFENSE

Despite suffering some key losses on the defensive side, the Huskies return both quality and depth. Leading the way for Bloomsburg is All-American goalie Tracey Hudak along with senior back Noelle Fuller and junior back Maribeth Brozena. In addition, sophomore Britteny Fox and junior Brittany Wilkins will solidify the defense. Hudak, in her first year as a starter, was spectular posting nine shutouts and posting a goals against average of 0.80. Hudak also earned MVP honors for her play during the PSAC playoffs.

NEWCOMERS

As usual, the Huskies have a large and talented group of newcomers ready to step in and fill the gaps left by the graduating players. The incoming class includes All-State performers Samantha Kropa, Kristen Watlock, Vanessa Whitman and All-League players Samantha Alexander, Ali Miller, Elizabeth McCready, Whitney Miller, Kelsey Kress and Amy Gilbert. Also, back Kelsey Quigley and goalies Alison Ziants, Casie Moule and Emina Udrina.

“As usual, our goal is to play well enough in the regular season to qualify for the PSAC and NCAA championships, “ Hutchinson said. “From there, you need some skill and a bit of good luck to succeed.”

Special notes

Coach Jan Hutchinson, the 2004 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II Coach of the Year, is the all-time leader in wins in NCAA field hockey history. She will be honored with induction into the NFHCA Hall of Fame in January of 2006. Hutchinson will also be honored, in this the 25th anniversary of NCAA sponsorship of women's athletics and 100th anniversary of the organization, as one of the 100 most influential people in NCAA history. Hutchinson was previously honored with induction into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for her work as the Huskies' softball coach.