Aug. 9, 2001
2001 Field Hockey Prospectus
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The 2001 Miami field hockey team has one goal this season and that is to take the next step in the Mid-American Conference tournament. After falling to Kent State in the semifinals last year, head coach Lil Fesperman turns to five seniors to lead a talented squad to postseason glory.
"We have 14 returning players and they will need to raise the level of intensity on the field," says Fesperman. "My upperclassmen need to show good leadership and maturity on the field to lead us to victories."
The RedHawks return over 50% of their offense from the 2000 campaign but the teams success will ultimately fall on the shoulders of five seniors. Cheryl Iozzi, Karen Preikszas, Lisa Rodelo, Marie Vaughn, and Beth Young return in 2001 for their final season wearing the Red and White. Even though Preikszas, Nelson, and Young will represent the team as captains, it will be the collective leadership and attitude of these five players that will motivate coach Fesperman's young team.
"I could exhaust myself talking about what these five seniors have meant to this program," says Fesperman. "They've been with me through some tough seasons and the work they have done in the off-season will no doubt help make this team a winner."
Young, a Second Team all-MAC selection last season after tallying 20 points for the RedHawks, will be a catalyst for the Miami offense. With 20 career goals and 49 career points, Young will find herself on Miami's career top-ten in these categories at seasons end.
"Beth is probably the fittest and most athletic player that I've seen at Miami in recent years," says Fesperman. "She's tough and very aggressive, a true impact player."
Joining Young in her assault on the record books is Vaughn, a three-year starter in the net. Already with nine career shutouts and tied for sixth at Miami, Vaughn is the backbone of the RedHawks defense. Rodelo, known for her commitment to the team as a goalie, will be medically redshirted in 2000.
The remaining two seniors, Iozzi and Preikszas, one a forward and the other a back, will solidify opposite ends of the field for coach Fesperman.
"Cheryl has always had a nose for the goal and a solid skills in the circle," commented Fesperman. "On the opposite end of the field, Karen is a steady defender with good timing and knowledge of the game."
Last season's biggest surprise on the offensive end of the field was the play of sophomore Angie Snedden. Snedden led the RedHawk attack in '00 with 13 goals and two assists for 28 points. She was rewarded at the end of the season by being named to the all-MAC second team.
"I look for Angie to do a lot more scoring with one year of experience under her belt," says Fesperman. "She had a good summer experience at the Canadian Games and returns to Miami much improved as a player."
Newcomers to the RedHawk attack in 2001 will be Sara Bielek, Sunita Brown, Maya Gilbert and Megan Weigand. All four of these individuals bring plenty of athleticism and talent to the field for Miami.
Sharing the midfield responsibilities with Young will be five players with 14 games combined experience. Heading the list of young guns is sophomore Lauren Plapp. After seeing action in nine games last season which included two starts, Plapp is ready to take the next step and assert herself as a dominant college player.
"Last season Lauren adapted to the college game and developed a good sense of defensive strategy," says Fesperman. "Over the spring she gained increased confidence and I feel she is ready to step up this fall."
Also eager to make a bigger contribution to the team this season is sophomore Shallen McClain. McClain saw limited time on the field during her freshman campaign, playing in five total games. In those five games however, she did manage to ring off seven shots and record her first collegiate assist versus Indiana. Her classmate, Lauren Slattery, will sit this season out as a medical redshirt.
Posing a threat for opposing teams on the midfield line will be sophomore Kate Carmody. Carmody played in all 21 games last season and will another weapon that coach Fesperman can utilize.
Coach Fesperman adds needed depth to the midfield this season with new arrivals Meredith Lee, Gillian Lindsay and Diane Collias, who also can move into a back position.
Miami's defense will be the strength of the team as five position players and two goalkeepers return to the field, all with veteran experience. Leading the way will be two of the team's tri-captains in senior Preikszas and junior Julie Nelson. Nelson was a workhorse for the RedHawks in 2000, starting in all 21 games and recording two defensive saves. Her play complemented that of Preikszas, who led Miami with five defensive saves on the year.
"Julie is a very coachable player and should lead the defense this year," said Fesperman. "Her talents combined with those of Karen should make for a solid defense for us."
Three others who plan to contribute to the defensive strategy are junior Sarah Clarke and sophomores Amy Butterworth and Emma Sanford. Clarke was one of six RedHawks to start in all 21 games last season while Butterworth and Sanford combined to play in 26 games. These three were part of a defense that held opposing teams to 1.14 goals per game in Miami's seven victories.
Freshman Katie Moran, a physically strong defender, will be the new addition to coach Fesperman's defensive unit.
"Our defense has the perfect mix of experience and youth," said Fesperman. "The goal is to keep the ball on the offensive end of the field but it is equally nice to know that you have a solid defense to protect your goal."
Defending that goal in 2001 will be the stingy goalkeeping duo of senior Vaughn and freshman Kerri Orr. After maintaining a solid 72% save percentage last year Vaughn will wear the Red and White for the final time in her career in 2001. Orr steps into the role of backup goalie and will challenge Vaughn with senior Rodelo sitting out the season.
Last year's victory over Central Michigan in the first round of the MAC Tournament is important for several reasons. It was the first time since 1997 that a Miami field hockey team had gotten past the preliminary round of the tournament. The victory also has given this season's returning players the hunger of wanting to succeed in the postseason. The 2001 Miami field hockey team has just the right mix of experience, talent, and youth to make winning the championship a reality.
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