Boston College Athletics
The Big East Field Hockey Champions Set to Defend Title
June 21, 1999 | Field Hockey
August 27, 1998
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass - The defending BIG EAST Champions have set their sights high for the 1998 season, and believe it could be the most successful campaign to date. Sherren Granese, who returns for her 12th season as head coach of the Eagles, will lead one of the most experienced Boston College teams in recent memory. This years squad returns eight starters from last seasons team that captured the BIG EAST Championship and tied the school record with 15 wins en route to the NCAA Tournament.
Forward
Gabrielle Bieg leads the way for Boston College at the forward position. The tri-captain returns to the Heights for a fifth year after redshirting her freshman season. She played in all 22 games in 1997, scoring three goals and adding two assists for eight points. Looking to raise their offensive production will be senior forward Katie Gentile and junior forward Julianne Marrone. A year ago, Gentile recorded three goals and two assists for eight points while Marrone finished as BCs fifth leading scorer with eight goals and four assists for 20 points. Both totals represented career-highs for both forwards. The Eagles will have to find a replacement for third-team All-American and leading scorer Andrea Durko who tallied 31 points last season. Juniors Kellie Misiaszek and Lisa Roth will help anchor the talented forward position at the Heights this season. Misiaszek appeared in 16 contests and notched two assists a year ago. Roth tallied one goal and one assist a year ago. Gina Dinan and Angela Hutchins will compete for starting positions at the forward slot during their rookie season for the Eagles.
Midfield
Seniors Niki Novocin and Anne Marie Ambros will return to anchor the midfield. A three-year starter, Novocin started 15 games last season, contributing one assist. Ambros, a First Team BIG EAST selection, will lead the offense from center midfield. The tri-captain led the league in assists (22) last season and was also named defensive player of the week three times. This past summer, she played with the U.S. National under-23 team. Sophomores Jennifer Hall and Nichole Bukowski will contribute in the midfield. Hall, a starter in all 21 appearances, ended a solid freshman season by tallying two goals and assisting on three others. Bukowski, who tallied two points on two assists, played in 21 contests for the Eagles. Freshmen Meghan McClure and Amelie Wulff will look for playing time during their first season atthe Heights. Wulff should challenge for a starting role in the midfield or backfield.
Backfield
Senior tri-captain Joy Ramsbotham returns to anchor the defense this season for the Eagles. Ramsbotham, who has been selected to the Second Team All-American squad two consecutive years, led the team in scoring last year with 12 points, and finishing second on the team with 27 overall.Joining tri-captain Ramsbotham in the backfield will be seniors Janis Crornwell, who notched one goal and 13 assists, and Kendra Medville. The loss of Marion Fitzgerald, a Second Teamm All-BIG EAST selection last season, will be lessened by the expierence that these two athletes bring to the field. Juniors Elizabeth Betta and Amy Suchnek will add depth to this talented group pf performers for the 1998 season. Suchanek appeared in eight contests, making two starts, in 1997. Sophomores Morgan Brady and Suzanne Filip round out the core of returning players in the backfield. Newcomer Meghan Crowley will help to solidify an already experienced core of players.
Goaltender
In the cage, junior goalie Jill Dedman enters the fall as the projected starter for the Eagles. Dedman, who played well in limited action last season, picked up two wins, including a 5-0 shutout against Rhode Island (Oct 8). She had mononucleosis at the beginning of the season, but worked hard and had an excellent off-season. Jennifer Montague will provide competition for the starting position in the net. With the talented mix of experienced players and incoming freshman, This year's squad will lokk to duplicate the success of the 1997 season. The team has it's sights set on their third Big East Championship in five years and a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.
