Boston College Athletics
Field Hockey Prepares for 2011 Season
August 19, 2011 | Field Hockey
Aug. 19, 2011
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The Boston College field hockey squad's 2011 season is just around the corner. With preseason practices in full swing, the team will host Connecticut in an exhibition game at 12 p.m. on Sunday, August 21 at the Newton Sports Complex.
The 2011 season will be the Eagles' seventh in the ACC. This year's program will be led by a small group of veterans charged with laying the foundation for the large incoming class of fresh talent. The seven freshmen and one graduate student are poised and ready to fill the big shoes left vacant by last year's graduating class.
With a roster full of capable players and an experienced coaching staff, the 2011 BC field hockey team is ready to prove once again that it is a team to be reckoned with in both ACC and non-conference play.
Attack
Returning to the front line for the Eagles in 2011 is senior Courtney Tavener, who had a successful 2010 season. Tavener ranked second on the team in goals (7), tied for second in assists (4) and third in total points (18). Sophomores Chapin Duke and Virgynia Muma will also be factors this season. Duke, alongside Tavener, spent the offseason honing her skills with the New England Senior High Performance Team, while Muma worked with the junior team. Newcomer Emma Plasteras, a member of the Canadian `A' National Team, will look to add to the offensive effort for the Eagles.
Midfield
In 2011, Boston College will look to sophomore Nicole Schuster and graduate student Maike de Jager to anchor the Eagles' midfield. Schuster, who played with the U.S. U19 National Team in the offseason, played in all 19 games for the Eagles in 2010, scoring three goals and notching two assists. De Jager joins BC with experience playing at the national level for the Netherlands. Senior Catherine O'Brien and sophomore Paige Norris will return to the midfield, as well. In addition, incoming freshman and New England HP Team member Abby Bascetta will look to add to the mix.
Defense
The team's co-captains, senior Carla Tamer and junior Jacqui Moorfield, will be the Eagles' stronghold on defense this season. During the 2010 season, their work helped create the solid backfield that allowed an average of just 1.39 goals per game. In addition, junior Kara Mackintire and sophomore Hannah Mulvey return for the Eagles in 2011. Freshmen Sarah Hospodar, Nicole Morris, Hannah Nedeau and Maura Keith will look to contribute in the backfield for BC this season.
Goalkeepers
Senior Nicole Barry and freshman Kati Orban will be in the cage for BC this season. Barry made two appearances last season, recording two saves and allowing no goals during her time in net. Orban spent the past spring at BC as a grey shirt in order to help her prepare for opportunities this fall. Both Barry and Orban were named to a high performance squad this spring, as Barry was selected for the senior team and Orban for the junior team.
The Schedule
Despite the challenging lineup of matches that lies ahead this season, Boston College will look to expand upon its 2010 success.
The Eagles will play its first two games on the road before its home opener against Maine. Outside of conference play, BC will face stiff competition against nationally ranked teams including Syracuse, Connecticut, American and UMass.
In ACC play, BC will open at home against Maryland, last season's ACC and national champion. The Eagles will travel to Virginia, North Carolina and Wake Forest this season, as well as host conference rival Duke.
ACC Tournament
The squad will work to garner its first tournament win in program history this November in College Park, Maryland. Boston College lost a 2-1, overtime battle to Wake Forest in the first round last year.
Recaps and results from this weekend's exhibition game against UConn, as well as all of the team's games this season, can be found online at www.bceagles.com.
