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Aug. 22, 2002
OXFORD, Ohio -With a week and a half of grueling preseason practices under its belt and done with, the Miami University field hockey team now begins preparations for its Aug. 31 contest versus Indiana. Head coach Lil Fesperman remains optimistic about the upcoming season, and has a reason to feel that way after her team's effort on the field the past 10 days.
"I am very pleased with how our preseason has gone," Fesperman says. "(Assistant coach Kathleen Schanne) and I presented the girls with a lot of new things, and they have responded well to our coaching. It's been a pleasant preseason and not quite as dreaded as everyone thought it would be."
Eight newcomers arrived in Oxford, Ohio, last week along with15 returning players. Since then the team has continued to surprise and open the eyes of the RedHawk coaching staff.
"As of right now, I am very pleased with the play of our freshmen," Fesperman says. "The only things holding them back are a couple of nagging minor injuries, but what has surprised me most is their smooth transition to the college game. It's a bigger step than most of them anticipated."
Early surprises from Fesperman's new class have come from midfielder Jessica Saling (Louisville, Ky./Sacred Heart) and forward/midfielder Marnie Pickering (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson). Both players enjoyed all-state honors in high school, while Saling brings a winning attitude to the field after her Sacred Heart team captured the Kentucky state championship in 2001.
"Jess has picked up the game quickly, which is easy to do when you are as quick and athletic as she is," Fesperman says. "Also doing well early on has been Marnie, who is yet another quality player out of the Hudson system."
Defense is going to be crucial to Miami's success in 2002, and the play of three returners has bolstered Fesperman's confidence in the RedHawk backfield. Junior Lauren Plapp (Overland Park, Kan./The Barstow School) and sophomores Katie Moran (St. Louis, Mo./Nerinx Hall) and Gillian Lindsay (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) are the primary reasons for Fesperman's optimism in her defense. With solid defenders in senior co-captains Julie Nelson (Bethesda, Md./Bethesda Chevy Chase) and Sarah Clarke (West Bridgewater, Mass./West Bridgewater), there were still some holes to be filled in the backfield.
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It's a little over a week before our first game and in that time we have to narrow the difference between working hard and actual game pace. They are trying everything that we're throwing at them and that's all that we could ask for.
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With the first game of the 2002 season fast approaching, the RedHawks still have some work ahead of them. New offenses and techniques have been installed this preseason, and it is only a matter of time before they are exhibited on the field.
"We still need to pick up the pace and focus during practice," Fesperman says. "It's a little over a week before our first game and in that time we have to narrow the difference between working hard and actual game pace. They are trying everything that we're throwing at them and that's all that we could ask for."
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