Sept. 2, 2011
Following a perfect season is an imperfect situation, knowing that everyone is looking to knock off the defending National Champions. Despite the pressure, the UMass Lowell field hockey team is ready to take on the challenge the only way it knows how: with a relentless attitude.
Coach Shannon Hlebichuk knows that their games will be circled on every opponent's schedule, but it speaks to both last season's performance and the level of excellence UMass Lowell field hockey has reached.
"We've built a culture that wants to win a championship," said Hlebichuk. "Whether it's a Northeast-10 Regular Season Championship, Northeast-10 Tournament Championship or a National Championship--it's always our goal. You choose to come to UMass Lowell because you want a championship."
The 2010 River Hawks completed that goal in style, racing to a sterling 24-0 record while outscoring opponents 119-8. UMass Lowell won the NE-10 regular season crown with a 10-0 conference mark, and then defeated Stonehill for the NE-10 Tournament Championship. Obtaining their final goal, the River Hawks topped Stonehill and Shippensburg in the NCAA Tournament to claim the program's second ever National Championship.
Standing in UMass Lowell's path this season is the graduation of seven seniors from that record setting squad: Lizzy Ales, Amy Carbon, Liz Day, Katie Enaire, Jaime Hadley, Kate Hickey and Sammy Macy. Among those seven, Day, Enaire, Hadley and Macy were named All-Americans in 2010.
Despite the losses, the National Field Hockey Coaches Association selected UMass Lowell first in the Kookaburra Preseason Poll. The vote of confidence was echoed by the NE-10 coaches, who also selected the River Hawks to repeat as conference champions in their annual Preseason Poll.
"It's based on last year's finish, which was fantastic and we're honored by the respect they've given us," added Hlebichuk. "It's the first time we've been voted number one in preseason and it's a tremendous honor."
Forwards
The biggest challenge facing UMass Lowell is its staggering losses on the offensive side of the field, graduating 234 points and 86 goals, well over 70% of each category's 2010 totals.
Stepping up to the challenge is an ensemble cast comprised of junior Emily Painten (Walpole, Mass.), sophomores Janelle DeCamillis (Littleton, Mass.), Melissa Effertz (Oceanside, Calif.), Ali Ferraro (Kingston, N.Y.) and Rachel McCarthy (Reading, Mass.).
"Those are five forwards that are all able to make their runs, they're relentless and they can play defense," said Hlebichuk of the group. "That kind of complete package isn't something we've always had in the past."
That group combined to score 23 goals last season, led by McCarthy's 11--the most among all returning players.
Each player has impressed coach Hlebichuk on a variety of fronts. Ferraro and Effertz made terrific progress despite missing the spring to play softball at UMass Lowell, DeCamillis has cemented herself in the rotation after joining the program as a walk-on and Painten's unassuming attitude and scoring prowess are welcome traits on the forward line.
Perhaps the most important member of the forward line is McCarthy. The only rookie to reach double-digit points in a veteran laced lineup, McCarthy managed to finish fourth in scoring with 32 total points.
"Rachel is a very gifted field hockey player," said Hlebichuk of McCarthy. "She creates, sees the field very well and can finish. We're getting her to play better defense on that forward line so she's an all around player. We expect big things from Rachel and the great news is she's only a sophomore--she has a lot of potential left even though she's already one of our best players."
Midfielders
The mindset approaching UMass Lowell's midfield in 2011 is to play as a cohesive unit. The River Hawks will call on a mix of five players to complete the job: seniors Abby Auld (Waltham, Mass.) and Annie Hansbury (Plaistow, N.H.), junior Vanessa Kent (Charlton, Mass.) and freshmen Chelsea Chronopoulos (Tyngsborough, Mass.) and Bianca Jones (Watertown, Mass.).
The midfielders bring a wealth of experience and athleticism to the table, but have the tall task of replacing standout Liz Day.
"Liz was involved in every play on the field and did it as such a high level, she was unmatched," said Hlebichuk of her former player. "No question in my mind that she was the best all-around player I've ever had."
According to Hlebichuk, the key is to not have one player try to replace her production, but for the midfielders to work as a unit that can collectively replicate her impact on the turf.
That task is well in reach with the talented senior leaders Auld and Hansbury at the helm. The River Hawks consider Auld an unsung player for her work at left-mid last season--her creativity and deceptive skill set makes her a versatile weapon. Likewise, Hansbury is terrific on offense and possess great field vision that will serve UMass Lowell well this season.
Defenders
While no area of the field was unaffected from senior graduation, the River Hawk defense may be the best equipped for the challenge. UMass Lowell retains the core of its defense with senior Kayla Littig (Carver, Mass.), juniors Chelsea Gillies (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Sarah Wilcox (Old Town, Maine), and sophomore Kayla MacDonald (Chelmsford, Mass.) all returning.
"To lose 75% of the scoring is tough, but to bring back, in my mind, 90% of the defense--I think we're going to be OK," said Hlebichuk. "Especially with goalkeeper Melanie Hopkins in the mix."
Gillies makes her return to the field after suffering a torn ACL midway through 2010 and has impressed the coaching staff with her determined approach to the game. Gillies high school teammate at Chelmsford, MacDonald, will also see a lot of time after earning a spot on the NE-10 All-Rookie Team last season. MacDonald is a smart defender who has "come into her own" during preseason according to Hlebichuk.
Overshadowed by the River Hawks' high-powered offense last season, Littig and Wilcox will look to have breakout seasons as the backbone of the defense.
"We have, in my opinion, two of the best defenders I've ever seen in this league--never mind on my team--that are underrated and undervalued," Hlebichuk said of Littig and Wilcox. "We're known for our scoring, but if someone were to purely watch the game they would be amazed by Sarah and Kayla's ability on the field."
Not to be forgotten is goalkeeper Melanie Hopkins (Harwich, Mass.), who is arguably the most important individual on the defense. Coming off of an All-American season in which she totaled 17 shutouts and allowed eight goals in the entire season, Hopkins will likely face more traffic at the net.
"Mel thrives under pressure, she puts it on herself, and she wants to do the job. It's been that way since high school when she started all four years there," added Hlebichuk.
Relentless
With all of the changes in personnel, UMass Lowell appears to have a large challenge ahead of it. The coaching staff feels the success of the River Hawks will boil down to work ethic and that's something woven into the fabric of this team's mentality.
"We'll need to re-defend and work harder than we've had to at times in the past because it came so naturally," said Hlebichuk. "What makes this team so dangerous athletically is that their work ethic is relentless and that's going to make us very difficult to defend."
That drive and focus will be on display starting on September 3 when the River Hawks take on West Chester in Waltham, MA.
