Field Hockey begins quest toward 15th consecutive CAC title
SALISBURY, Md. - The 2009 Salisbury University field hockey team looks to build off its performance from last season going 15-4 and winning its 14th consecutive Capital Athletic Conference title. SU head coach Dawn Chamberlin lost one player to graduation from last year's team and expects this team to have another strong season.
"We bring back a lot of very talented individuals, which provides a good core unit for us," said Chamberlin, "the year before [2007] we lost nine seniors, so we have had an opportunity to develop a core and it gives us something to add to rather than start from scratch."
One experience that the Sea Gulls will benefit from this season was the opportunity to travel overseas to Italy to play several games at the start of the summer against some top competition.
"It was a wonderful opportunity for them both from an athletic perspective as well as a cultural perspective," said Chamberlin, "It helped us develop a little further playing against such strong competition, and it gave us a chance to get a jump on some of the rule changes for this season."
FORWARDS
The SU offense will be highlighted by senior All-American captain Lauren Correll, who has the opportunity to become the ninth player in program history to be named a three-time All-American. The Bridgeville, Del., native played and started in all 19 games last season and led the team in points with 38 (18 goals, two assists).
Complimenting Correll on the attack line will be senior Beverly Beladino, who played and started in 15 games for the Sea Gulls and finished with 18 points (seven goals, four assists). The Putnam Valley, N.Y., native was named second team All-Region for her play on the field in '08. Correll and Beladino will not be the only experienced forwards returning to the squad; juniors Camille Walker (Wilmington, Del.), Katy Lamboni (Salisbury, Md.), Courtney Webster (Chance, Md.), and Abby Tedford (Chester, Md.) and sophomores Caitlin Walker (Fallston, Md.) and Allison Bloodsworth (Delmar, Md.) add depth to SU's offense.
MIDFIELD
Salisbury's leadership is not limited to one position; junior All-American Kandice Hancock (Westover, Md.) looks to add a third successful season to her list of accomplishments. "She is a great threat on the offense and great transition player in the midfield. We would not be as strong as we are on defense without her," said Chamberlin. Senior Michelle Rowe (Elkton, Md.) and junior Katie Fost (Lusby, Md.) stand beside Hancock to create a solid anchor for the team.
Christine Craddock also looks to improve upon a successful 2008 season, as the junior played in 14 games with two starts. "Christine is a great person to have on the field," said Chamberlin. "She is a real strong leader for us, and a good team player." Freshman prospects to look for as the season progresses are Krissy Fusco (Forest Hill, Md.) and Kelly McIntyre (Highland, Md.). Both are midfielders who may also be utilized as forwards.
DEFENSE
Goalie Anna Cooke (Ann Arbor, Mich.) had a strong first season in 2008, as she went 11-2 in 17 games played. The junior will be aided by sophomore CAC Rookie of the Year Tara McGovern (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.). "As the season went on [Tara] gained more confidence and her level of play elevated. I think we are going to see her break out this year and do some really great things both offensively and defensively now that she has a year under her belt," said Chamberlin. Junior Shannon Hanratty (Arnold, Md.) and incoming freshman Katie Matteo (Arnold, Md.) should make significant contributions to Salisbury's defense. "Salisbury is really well known for having exceptional defense. We take a lot of heat off the goalkeeper and we want to continue to do that," said Chamberlin.
SCHEDULE
The Sea Gulls have a difficult schedule ahead as they face some of the best teams in the nation, including Johns Hopkins University and Messiah College. However, as Chamberlin points out, "you can't get better if you play teams that are below you all the time. You have to play teams that are as good, if not better than you, and that's how you get stronger."
The Sea Gulls also look to defend their CAC Championship title this year. Salisbury field hockey has won 14 straight CAC Championships since its inclusion in the Capital Athletic Conference in 1995.
The season begins on the road for Salisbury as the Gulls face conference foe Hood College on Sept.1. The regular season concludes with a non-conference game at Catholic University, followed by the CAC tournament (Nov. 1 - 7).
SUMMARY
Salisbury's last national championship victory was in 2005, and the Gulls have suffered several heartbreaking losses in the NCAA tournament since then. "This team has been close so many times and they are losing to the teams that are playing for the national championship in overtime the last three seasons," Chamberlin said. She also believes that both on and off-field preparation and building team rapport will contribute to the success of this year's squad. "I think what's going to happen and whether we reach that goal [a national championship] is going to be dependent on how well we bond as a unit and what we do off the field. That's going to have an effect on what we do on the field. We need to have players that are willing to prepare to win a national championship day-in and day-out. They need to stay focused and do the right things off the field and we will have an opportunity to win."
