Hempstead, NY - Heading into the 2009 season-following the graduation of
eight players- Hofstra Head Field Hockey Coach Kathy De Angelis was cautiously
optimistic about the Pride's continuous development. Armed with a roster that
included 17 freshman and sophomores and just three seniors, Hofstra posted its
eighth double-digit victory total in the last nine seasons, and finished 12-8
overall and 5-3 in the tough Colonial Athletic Association. In addition, the
Pride qualified for their sixth consecutive CAA Championship Tournament.
If the key word for the 2009 team was young, the one word that best describes
the 2010 team may be versatile. De Angelis and staff are confident that this
team, which features 18 returnees and five newcomers, has the talent and
ability to play multiple positions without any drop-off. The Pride return
players who tallied 39 of the team's 50 goals last season but De Angelis
believes that her newest team easily has the potential to make up for those
goals lost to graduation.
FORWARD
The forward position has a solid blend of crafty veterans
and rising young players. Heading the segment is senior Nancy Wagenbrenner. The
Berlin, Germany, native has played in 51 games, including 20 starts last
season, during her Hofstra career, and has played from defense to forward. She
tallied three goals and three assists last season and could be Hofstra's dual
threat as a scorer and a playmaker. Fellow senior Becky Kazaks also played in
20 games last year and started eight. The former All-New York State scholastic
selection from Centereach, New York, recorded her best season in 2009 with two
goals. The Pride added another senior this season when Diane Caldwell, a
four-year standout for the Hofstra soccer team, opted to return to field hockey
while pursuing a master's degree. An Irish National Soccer Team member as well
as an all-regional player at Hofstra, Caldwell has the athletic ability to
return to her honor-filled field hockey playing days at Dublin's Mount Temple
School.
Junior Darrah Rachman is another player who benefitted from additional playing
time last season. The Reading, Pennsylvania native played in all 20 games last
year after seeing action in just two games as a freshman. Rachman, who tallied
35 goals during her high school career, notched three goals for the Pride last
season. Junior Katelyn Lewia saw expanded playing time last year, appearing in
five games. The former All-Maine selection has the ability to give the Pride a
boost coming in as a reserve.
Sophomore Krizia Layne stepped in last year and played all 20 games including
18 starts. A member of the Trinidad and Tobago National team that captured the
Central America and Caribbean Games (CAC) title this summer to advance to the
2011 Pan Am Games, Layne tallied three goals and two assists in 2009 and has
the potential for greater totals in 2010. Sophomore Meg Leusch saw limited
action as a freshman last season, playing in four games and starting one. The
former All-New York State selection from Irondequoit High School in Rochester
will also be looking for an expanded role on the attack in 2010.
Freshman Katelyn Horan, along with Caldwell, is another newcomer who could make
an impact up front this season. An All-New York State selection from Maine
Endwell High School, Horan was named to the USFHA Disney Showcase in 2009 and
2010 and played in the USFHA National Festival in California in 2008. Red-shirt
freshman Jillian Geysen, who was an all-state selection at Mercy High School in
East Hampton, Connecticut, in 2008, will also be looking to crack the lineup
this season.
MIDFIELD
The Pride midfield could be the deepest and most talented segment of the
Hofstra team in 2010. Junior Genna Kovar, an NFHCA All-America third team
selection last season, returns after leading the team in scoring in 2009. An
All-Mideast Region and All-CAA first team selection as well a year ago, Kovar
tallied 15 goals and five assists as a sophomore. Classmate Arielle Williams
started all 20 games last season and recorded one goal and three assists. An
expanded role is expected for this Trinidad and Tobago National Team member.
Sophomore Micaela Gallagher, who started all 20 games as a freshman, will be
looking to return to a starting role in 2010. A three-time All-New York State
selection from Vandermeulen High School in Port Jefferson, New York, Gallagher tallied
two goals last year and was named to the CAA All-Rookie Team. Gallagher was
also a USFHA High Performance Team selection in 2010. Sophomore Kerry Kiddoo
also started all 20 games as a newcomer last season. The former all-state
selection out of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, could also see action on defense,
as well.
Freshmen Stephanie Cowles, Dieke ter Weel and Shannon McCardell are also
expected to squeeze into the lineup this season. Cowles, who was named to Under-19 National Futures Tournament for the
California Region in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 2010, has been a member of
the Futures Elite Program from 2007 through 2010. An all-state selection from
Solana Beach, California, Cowles played on state championship teams at Torrey
Pines High School in field hockey and lacrosse. Another international player
comes to Hofstra in newcomer Dieke ter Weel from the Netherlands. An
experienced player for HC Eindhoven for eight years, ter Weel has played in the
top division, 16-team National League with HCE from 2008 to 2010 and served as
team captain last season. New Jersey native Shannon McCardell, a two-time
all-conference selection from Clearview Regional High School, could see action
at midfield or on defense.
DEFENSE
The Pride defense will consist of several multi-position players. Leading the
defense is senior Amy-Lee Levey. The Zimbabwe native, who played at midfield
last year, was second on the team in scoring with eight goals and 18 points in
2009. Unfortunately, a serious car accident over the Christmas holidays
sidelined her through the spring and early summer. An All-Mideast Region and
All-CAA second team selection last season, Levey's availability this season is
unknown heading into preseason camp.
Sophomore Codi Nyland is penciled in at a starting spot on defense after
playing in 20 games and starting two last season. A three-time National Futures
Tournament selection in high school, she recorded a goal and an assist for the
Pride in 2009. Red-shirt freshman Lauren Vallee, an all-state selection from
Ford High School in Dearborn, Michigan, in 2008, is also expected to see action
on the defense.
Sophomore Arielle Williams and freshmen Stephanie Cowles, Dieke ter Weel and
Shannon McCardell also have the talent and versatility to battle for starting
time on the defensive unit.
GOAL
A fierce battle is expected for the starting job in goal for the Pride in 2010
as De Angelis calls her four goalies a very competitive group. Junior Amanda Heyde saw the most playing time a year ago, playing in 17 games and starting 14
contests. She posted a 2.66 goals against average and a .678 save percentage
(78 saves) in 972 minutes of action. Heyde's play during the second half of
last season helped propel the Pride into the CAA Championship Tournament. Junior
Meredith Golden played in eight games and started six last year. She recorded a
2.58 goals against average and a .727 save percentage (40 saves) in 407 minutes
of action. Golden posted a 3-3 record. Senior Krisha Giammarco, who played in a
total of 16 games and started 12 in 2007 and 2008, returns to the lineup this
season after sitting out most of last season with a back injury. Kaitlyn De Turo, an All-Long Island selection from Ward Melville High School in 2008, also
returns to the Pride roster after red-shirting last season.
