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Field Hockey Set for Big 2011 Campaign; Ducks Eye Fourth-Straight Empire 8 Title
The Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team is set to embark on its 2011 season beginning when it hosts eighth-ranked The College of New Jersey at the De Baun Athletic Complex September 1. The Ducks are coming off a 2010 season that saw them win their third Empire 8 title in three years and advance to the Region semifinals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Field Hockey Championship for the second time in program history.
Stevens will be led by first-year head coach Emily Beach (Hoboken, N.J.) and three captains in senior midfielder Jillian Price (West Islip, N.Y.), senior midfielder Mallory Swanson (Princeton Junction, N.J.), and junior forward Mary Nikish (Pittsford, N.Y.).
Price has been a key member of the Ducks the last three years, making 21 starts in 2010, 20 in 2009, and saw action in 17 games as a freshman. Price has 10 goals, four assists, and 24 points over the course of her career, having an impact on the offensive and defensive side of the field throughout. An excellent athlete, she has also played a big role on both penalty corner units and has shown strong leadership and work ethic in the early parts of this season.
Swanson was a first-team All-Empire 8 and first-team National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-Region performer in 2010 and led the Ducks from end line to end line. She tallied six goals and handed out a pair of helpers in 2010 after scoring 10 goals in 2009. She is a three-year captain and has 21 goals and four assists during her career. Swanson’s 46 points are sixth all-time in Stevens field hockey history.
Nikish is coming off a second-team all-conference season in which she was third on the team with 11 points, finding the back of the net four times and assisting on three other goals. The Pittsford, N.Y. native was clutch for the Ducks all season with three of her four tallies counting as game-winners. Nikish continued to improve last spring and has led by example throughout the preseason.
“The team voted three great captains to lead them this fall,” said Beach. “Their experience and energy will help us accomplish all of our goals this season and the coaching staff is looking forward to working with them to lead this group to success.”
Senior goalkeeper Krysten Suarez (Long Valley, N.J.) will be taking the place of the graduated Ellyn Griggs ’11 (Hillsborough, N.J.) in 2011. Suarez, who joined the team last year, has improved a great deal and is ready to help lead the Ducks’ “D.” The Long Valley, N.J. native stepped up and played extremely well in the spring and has shown continued growth during the preseason.
Back Samantha Weisman (Fairfax, Va.) is returning for her third season as a member of the Stevens defense. Weisman came to camp in great shape and looks primed to take on a leadership role. A strong tackler and big hitter, Weisman has seen action in all 44 games in her career as a Duck, making 43 starts. She led the team in defensive saves a season ago and also notched a pair of assists.
Junior back/midfielder Mary Baldeon (Burtonsville, Md.) will look for an increased role in 2010 after playing in 13 games in her sophomore season. A hard worker, Baldeon has shown steady improvement throughout her career and is also proving to be a strong leader both on and off the field.
Forward Marguerite Chavez (Oceanport, N.J.) is returning to the team after missing most of 2010 with an injury. Chavez had a remarkable freshman season, leading the team in points (28) and assists (10). She also put in nine goals, and her speed, stick skills, and aggressiveness should help the Ducks create more scoring chances this year.
Sophomore Megan Traub (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) should play a central role in the Stevens defense after seeing action in 15 games, including five starts, as a rookie. Traub is an excellent communicator and solid hitter and will also see action on both penalty corner units for the Ducks.
Sophomore forward Rachel Chavez (Oceanport, N.J.) looks ready to make a big impact in her second season in Hoboken. Chavez is extremely fit and should be a starter for the Stevens attack. The Oceanport, N.J. native tallied two assists as a freshman and should see increased numbers in 2011 because of her strong skills, speed, and intensity.
Sophomore back/midfielder Katie Achilles (Portsmouth, N.H.) played in 16 games as a freshman and made 13 starts. Achilles will see minutes in both positions and has displayed great speed in camp. She will be able to keep up with forwards when playing defense and has also displayed quality skills getting the ball back up the field into the offensive zone.
Sophomore Caroline Packowski (Jackson, N.J.) has had a strong preseason after working extremely hard over the summer. A very vocal player, Packowski’s aggressive style around the ball will put pressure on opposing defenses all season.
Sophomore back Grace Ridge (Moorestown, N.J.) played in all 22 games as a freshman and made 14 starts. A big hitting back, Ridge is a smart player that will also play a key role in both penalty corner units. The Moorestown, N.J. native had one defensive save and one goal during her rookie season.
Sophomore Caitlin Chamberlain (San Diego, Calif.) is coming off a big freshman season in which she led Stevens in goals with six, assists with three and points with 15. She saw action in 21-of-22 games in 2010 and also tallied three game-winners. Chamberlain is an extremely athletic and dangerous player and should see increased numbers as a sophomore.
Sophomore midfielder Chelsea Cresci (Wilmington, Del.) played all 22 games in her rookie season, recording four points thanks to a pair of goals. Cresci has demonstrated excellent skills in tight spots along with good speed taking the ball up field. She will see an increased role as a sophomore.
“While we lost some key role players from last year, we return a great group,” commented Beach. “They have worked very hard through the spring and summer and will definitely look to defend their Empire 8 title. Experience and leadership from this group will be very important going forward.”
The program will also welcome six freshmen in 2011; midfielder/forward Jillian Fiebel (Roxbury, N.J.), midfielder Gina Massoni (Mount Olive, N.J.), back Melanie Beddow (San Diego, Calif.), midfielder Kate Bruno (Haverford, Pa.), back Jane Hughes (Glenside, Pa.), and forward Olivia Schultz (West Milford, N.J.).
“Our new Ducks have hit the ground running,” said Beach when asked about the freshmen, “They are all very unique in their skill sets but complement each other very well. If they continue to go in the direction they are headed, they will make a great impact on our program in their four years.”
The Ducks, one of the best defensive teams in the nation over the last few years, are hoping to continue that trend under its new head coach.
“Our defensive core is working very well together to minimize dangerous scoring opportunities. Once they gain a little more confidence in their ability to communicate we will have a very strong group in back. One of our main goals this season will be limiting our defensive penalty corners.”
Offensively, Stevens will be looking to get off to a strong start after scoring just 24 goals in 2010 and twice in its first five contests.
“We have a talented group of returning forwards who are sure to provide us with many goal scoring opportunities. One thing we have been stressing during pre-season is not being afraid to take a shot. If we can embrace this concept and play a little less reserved up front, we will be very successful as an attacking unit.”
After opening the season at home against in-state rival No. 8 TCNJ, the Ducks will visit 16th-ranked Juniata College and Haverford College on the road. All three teams knocked Stevens off a year ago and the opening three games should be a great test to start the season.
Stevens will return home on September 14 against Mercy College and will then host Utica College in its conference opener on September 17. The Pioneers ended the Ducks’ 17-game conference winning streak in 2010 with a 1-0 win in Utica.
Stevens will take to the road for a contest at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham before returning to Hoboken for a conference game against St. John Fisher College and a non-conference matchup with the University of Scranton.
The Ducks then have a tough four-game road trip with conference games at Ithaca College and Nazareth College (October 1 and 8) and non-conference tilts with Montclair State University and William Paterson University (October 5 and 12).
The Ducks come back to Castle Point for Empire 8 foe Elmira College on October 15 and No. 15 Rowan University on the 19th. Stevens’ final road game of the year will be at Hartwick College on October 22 and it will close out the regular season with home games against SUNY New Paltz and conference rival Washington & Jefferson College. W&J is the preseason pick to win the Empire 8. That game is slated for a 3 p.m. start on October 29. The Empire 8 Championship will be held on November 5 and 6 at the regular-season champ.
Game time for Thursday’s season-opener with TCNJ is 5 p.m. There will be a Duck Country shirt giveaway throughout the game and immediately following the conclusion, the athletic department will be hosting a free BBQ by the Wall of Honor at De Baun. Visit www.StevensDucks.com for links to a webcast and live stats on Thursday.
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