Bloomsburg University Field Hockey Season Preview

A veteran group will return for the Bloomsburg University field hockey team in 2008 as it looks to try and make it three straight NCAA Division II national titles for coach Jan Hutchinson.

The Huskies, who lost just two players to graduation last year, All-American Ashley Heckard and attack player Tara Bourke, will be led by four returning All-Americans, including last season's national Player of the Year in Jamie Vanartsdalen.

Speed and depth will be the two greatest assets of the 2008 team. Last year's freshmen and red-shirts are now seasoned and will challenge the upperclassmen for time on the field. Plus, an extremely talented incoming freshmen class will add even more depth and competition to the team.

"We had had a great spring season, winning three tournaments," said Hutchinson, who has the most wins of any field hockey coach in NCAA history. "The returning players have improved individually and collectively. Adding to their spring experience, the team went to Barbados and did exceptionally well against their foreign competition. They are really looking forward to the start of the season."

ATTACK

NCAA Division II and PSAC Player of the Year, Jamie Vanartsdalen, will lead the attack along with All-American Sam Kropa. Vanartsdalen turned in one of the best season's ever produced by a field hockey player with 35 goals and 19 assists, while Kropa didn't do so bad herself with 14 goals and six assists. Junior starter Maggey Bloskey returns at right wing along with sophomores Ashley Miller and Brieann Wolfe who both were significant contributors last year as freshmen. Junior Erin Hench, sophomore Aime Sgarlat, and red shirt freshmen attack players Lauren Summers, Kristin Horan and Breanna Hahn will compete for time on the front line. In addition, All-American Breanna Tobin has transferred from Mansfield and will also compete for playing time.

Incoming freshman Amanda Riley (Pocono Mountain East) was the Mountain Leagues' Player of the Year, and Lindsay Danz (Sussex Tech Delaware) was selected to play on Region 7's Under-19 team at the National Futures Tournament this summer.

MIDFIELD

Junior All American Chelsea Due and senior Kelsey Kress return, as well as sophomores Julia Rush and Amanda Deloy who both saw a lot of time in the midfield last season as freshmen. Senior Amanda Arbogast looked much improved over the spring season and will add depth to the position.

Incoming freshmen Betsy Renn (Line Mountain) the Susquehanna Valley League Player of the Year, Rachel Zerfoss, (Nanticoke/Johns Fine) a second team All State selection, Chelsea Minx (Kingsway, NJ Regional), a 3-time all conference player, Becca Sherman (Delaware Valley), Kelsey Pachuilo (Conrad Weiser), and Nicole Leone(Council Rock) will work for time in the midfield this year. Junior Aubrey Carman, came on very strong in the back field last season, but played midfield during the spring and had an outstanding spring season in her new position. Carman can play both midfield and defense for the Huskies.

DEFENSE

The Huskies' starting defenders are all back along with the return of 2006 All-American Venessa Witman, who sat out last season due to a knee injury. Senior All-American Whitney Miller will anchor the center defender position again. In addition, senior Amy Gilbert, junior Kacy Friend, and sophomore Madison Schoch all return and had strong showings in the spring. Red-shirt freshmen Erin Lolley and Kim Angstadt will push the returners.

In the cage senior goal keeper Ali Ziants had an amazing spring. She is quick, skilled, aggressive, and anxious for her senior season. Junior Caitlyn Koczynski continued improvement during the spring season and will also see time in goal.

"Of course, overall, our goals remain the same," Hutchinson continued. "We need to qualify for the playoffs with the goal of winning the PSAC and NCAA championships. The potential is there we just need to execute on the field."

There will be something new coming to the PSAC schedule this year with addition of CW Post and Mercyhurst to the league.

"We're excited to have two new teams in the league," said Hutchinson. "We have played Mercyhurst in the past, while CW Post will be a team we haven’t seen in a few years. It should be fun."