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Aug. 13, 2002
OXFORD, OHIO - One of the great things about collegiate athletics as opposed to professional sports is that with each new season comes a new team with a unique makeup and chemistry. Now in her 26th season as head coach of the Miami field hockey team, Lil Fesperman is poised to tutor eight new RedHawks and 14 veterans to a resurgence in 2002.
Last year the Red and White were 2-19 overall and winless in 10 Mid-American Conference contests, but that campaign is over. With 75 percent of its offense returning and most of its defense still in the lineup, the Red and White seek a fresh start from a young nucleus of players.
Despite its youth-14 of 22 players are freshmen and sophmores-Miami still needs strong leadership from its veterans to succeed this season. Fesperman is putting a lot of trust and giving plenty of leadership responsibilities to her two captains, seniors Sarah Clarke and Julie Nelson.
One of three captains last season, Nelson is no stranger to the appointment of captain duties. She has played in over 40 contests the past two years from her back position, registering four defensive saves in that time. Her competitive edge and leadership in the backfield are intangibles that would be welcome on any MAC team; luckily for the RedHawk faithful, she is on Miami's side.
Sharing the captain duties with Nelson is Clarke, who broke out of her shell last season by leading the RedHawks with four assists. Clarke, without a doubt one of Miami's strongest players, often drew the attention of opponents on penalty corners, before dropping the ball off to an awaiting RedHawk stick for a scoring opportunity. She has been consistent throughout her career playing in 61 contests, and has started all 42 games the past two years. With her and Nelson leading the youthful RedHawks, Miami has two key pieces in place for a successful campaign.
Returning no all-MAC selections from last year, Fesperman looks to a young and vigorous offense to score this season. Sophomore Megan Wiegand led the RedHawks last year with three goals on nine shots, which included a near hat trick in the regular-season finale versus Appalachian State. Her appetite for the game is infectious with her teammates, and with one year under her kilt, Wiegand is prepared to take her game to new heights.
Joining Wiegand at the forward position is another viable scoring threat from the sophomore class in Maya Gilbert. Gilbert managed to rip seven shots on goal last year but was unable to find the back of the cage. The two of them are key components of the RedHawk attack.
Also returning to Miami's forward corps is junior Angie Snedden, who has 32 career points in two seasons in Oxford. Snedden, the RedHawks most dangerous scorer, has prepped the past two seasons by playing for the Ontario provincial team in the Canadian games. She needs just 18 points in the next two years to break into Miami's top-ten scorers list.
Also lining up at forward from the sophomore class is Diane Collias who made one start last season.
Fesperman beefed up her RedHawks' scoring chances with the arrival of newcomers Lindi Bortnik, Abbie Finfrock, Jessica Saling and Nicole Reese. Each individual in this foursome had highly successful high school careers, and with some experience can contribute to the RedHawks' cause.
Miami's depth lies in its strong midfield, which consists of four returning players. The oldest player in the Red and White midfield is junior Shallen McClain, who recorded her first collegiate goal last season against Indiana. McClain boasts a superior shot, and after earning her first varsity letter last year, she now has the confidence to make her presence felt on the playing surface.
Assisting in the midfield are sophomores Gillian Lindsay and Meredith Lee. Lee notched her first two collegiate goals early in the season last year, while Lindsay recorded six starts.
With Clarke and Nelson leading the defense in the captains' huddle, juniors Amy Butterworth and Lauren Plapp and sophomore Katie Moran can concentrate on stopping opponents' forwards. Butterworth started eight games last year for the RedHawks, and in 19 games overall she tied for second on the team with two defensive saves. Moran made an immediate impact on the program, as she was one of only two first-year players to compete in at least 20 contests. She also was tied with Butterworth with two defensive saves.
The only new player in the backfield for the RedHawks is freshman Keri von Kalinowski, who is slated to receive plenty of playing time in 2002.
Between the pipes Miami loses four-year starter Marie Vaughn from last year's team, but is fortified by the return of redshirt-senior Lisa Rodelo and sophomore Kerri Orr. Rodelo sat out last season after undergoing season-ending back surgery, and chose to don the Red and White for one final campaign in 2002. Working with Rodelo at practice and competing for the starting job is Orr, who saw 266 minutes of action while holding foes to 2.62 goals per game. The tandem of Rodelo and Orr in net for the RedHawks should quickly quell any doubts about Miami's goalkeeping situation.
"This team has tremendous potential for this season," Fesperman says. "With all of the off-season work, the changes made, the addition of more speed, and a new focus this could be a very successful and rewarding campaign."
Despite having a slightly green team when it comes to actual playing experience, Fesperman has pieced together a challenging non-conference schedule for her squad. Amid the usual non-conference rivals of Saint Louis, Ohio State and Appalachian State, Miami also is scheduled to play at UMBC and Georgetown. The MAC schedule is no different than past years, but the RedHawks have an advantage this year in the postseason as they are the hosts of the MAC Tournament.
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