Boston College Athletics
1999 Field Hockey Outlook
August 16, 1999 | Field Hockey
Aug. 16, 1999
A year ago, Boston College head coach Sherren Granese entered the season with one of the most experienced field hockey teams in school history, but just 12 months later she has the challenge of replacing seven starters from a team that won the 1998 BIG EAST Conference Regular Season title. The 1999 Boston College field hockey team is comprised of a group of very young, but talented players that are ready to make an impact.
"Although we have a young team, I am really excited about the season because I think that we will surprise people," said Granese. " There are a number of opportunities for the upperclassmen, as well as the younger players on the team, to step up and compete for the positions that opened up with graduation."
The Eagles enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in the program's history in 1998. A record was set for victories in a season as the Eagles finished 16-6, won the regular season BIG EAST Conference title, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. Granese was named BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year, and a number of players received individual honors, as Boston College swept the major BIG EAST Conference post-season awards. Granese will be challenged with finding replacements for seven starters lost to graduation, including Anne Marie Ambros, 1998 BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, and Joy Ramsbotham, 1998 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year.
The Eagles will have to replace a number of goal scorers, with the graduation of the top four scoring leaders. "I think that we will see the talented younger players that have had limited playing time, due to last year's talented senior class, contribute a great deal this season," added Granese. "The juniors and seniors are ready for the challenge and the underclassmen could emerge with a lot more playing time. We have a great class of recruits and anyone of them could compete for the starting lineup."
"Our first goal will be to build a strong defense, and having Jill Dedman (1998 BIG EAST Goaltender of the Year) in goal is certainly a strength," stated Granese. "After you establish that you can hold opponents, you will have the opportunity to score. The team will be young when we start, but will improve as the season progresses. This teams' athletic ability and speed are tremendous."
FORWARD Senior Julianne Marrone returns to lead the forward position after off-season back surgery. A two-year starter, she played in 18 games last season and was fifth on the team in scoring with six goals and three assists. Marrone also earned BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week honors in 1998.
Senior Kellie Misiaszek will contribute and is expected to increase her goal production in 1999. She played in 20 games last season and scored one goal and registered three assists.
Sophomores Amelie Wulff and Gina Dinan received significant playing time a year ago. Wulff was named to the BIG EAST Conference All-Rookie team after scoring six goals and adding one assist in 19 games in 1998. Wulff's two-goal effort led the Eagles to a 3-0 win over Providence in the BIG EAST Tournament. Dinan scored three goals, including one in the NCAA Tournament victory over New Hampshire, and added one assist in 19 games last season.
MIDFIELD
The most experienced players return in the midfield. Juniors
Jennifer Hall and Nichole Bukowski have been in the starting lineup the past two seasons. Hall can control the midfield and Bukowski, who works the ball on the right side of the field, will provide the offensive spark. An All-BIG EAST Second-Team selection in 1998, Hall scored three goals in 21 games. Bukowski started 21 games last season and registered one assist.
Senior Elizabeth Betta and sophomore Angela Hutchins will contribute in the midfield. Betta provided a spark off the bench and received significant playing time last season, playing in 10 games and contributing in both NCAA Tournament contests. Hutchins played in 11 games, including two BIG EAST contests, in her first season at Boston College.
Senior Lisa Roth possesses outstanding speed and stick skills, and could have a breakthrough season in 1999. A year ago, she was sidelined for the first half of the season with a broken jaw and was only able to play in two games. Roth will compete to start in the midfield or on the forward line.
BACKFIELD With the graduation of all the starters in the backfield, the Eagles will look to senior Amy Suchanek to lead the defense. An outstanding defender, Suchanek played in 14 games in 1998, and saw a great deal of action in both the BIG EAST Championship and the NCAA Tournament. Betta could also contribute in the backfield.
Juniors Suzanna Filip and Morgan Brady will also challenge for playing time. Filip saw limited action a year ago as she returned from off-season knee surgery. Brady was utilized as a midfield or back sub in her first collegiate season after being red-shirted for the 1997 season.
GOALTENDER
The goaltending will be the strength of the team as 1998 BIG EAST Goaltender of the Year Jill Dedman returns in the cage. Dedman earned Northeast Regional All-American honors after posting a 1.12 goals against average and a 16-6 record in her first full season as the starting goaltender. She led the league with six shutouts and earned BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week honors four times during the season. Jennifer Montague, who returns after being red-shirted in 1998, will compete for playing time.
NEWCOMERS
The group of talented newcomers could challenge for positions in the starting lineup. Elizabeth Flood, Meredith Russell, and Christy Zider were selected as 1998 National Field Hockey Coaches Association Regional All-Americans. Flood, a native of Danvers, Massachusetts, led the Northeastern Conference in scoring for two seasons, and was a 1997 AAU Junior Olympian. Russell of Dallas, Texas, was a four-year starter that led The Hockaday School field hockey team in scoring with 12 goals and 10 assists. Zider, a native of Barre, Vermont, was named 1998 Vermont Player of the Year after leading Spaulding High School to two state championships.
Crystal Chavarie of Sidney, Maine, led the Messalonskee High School team to the State Championships and earned All-State honors. Kimberly Desto of Holden, Massachusetts, was named to the Central Massachusetts Catholic Conference All-Star team three times, and led Notre Dame Academy to the District Championship all four years. Virginia Drozd of Richmond, Virginia, earned All-State honors twice and led The Collegiate School field hockey team to the 1998 State Championship.
Kimberly French of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, was named the 1998 Central Massachusetts Player of the Year after leading Notre Dame Academy with 27 goals. Lisa Fischer, a native of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, led the Southern Lehigh High School team in scoring and was named to the All-League Defensive Team twice. Elizabeth Reh of St. Louis, Missouri, was named 1998 MWAA Field Hockey Player of the Year after leading Villa Dushesne High School with 18 goals and 15 assists.
