Fitchburg State Focused On Unity In 2012 Campaign
The Fitchburg State field hockey team enters its 2012 campaign looking to continue its stride towards a coveted NCAA post-season berth. After posting an 8-9 mark last year (4-7 LEC), the Falcons enter the season with unfinished business.
With pre-season coming to a close, Fitchburg State looks to remain healthy and continues to focus on team-defense and its individual skill set. Over the first two weeks of camp, the Falcons went back to its roots, gearing up for a long 17-game season.
“Throughout most of camp, we focused on basic skills and developing our team unity,” said 15th year head coach Beth Bacher. “We have a core of very committed and strong retuning players as well as some promising freshman.”
After a tough 2011 season, Fitchburg State was selected ninth in the Little East Conference Pre-Season Poll., while returning one All-Conference player. Fitchburg State sports a balanced roster with seven retuning veterans and 12 incoming players.
“Our goals for this season are just like any other,” said Bacher. “First and foremost, we want to be MASCAC Champs. From there, we have our eyes set on the Little East Tournament and gaining that automatic bid to the NCAA’s.”
FORWARDS
Senior captain Jamie Kelley (Pepperell, Mass./North Middlesex) is the top returning scorer for the Falcons, totaling 22 points on eight goals and a team leading six assists. Sophomore Kaitlyn Silva (West Townsend, Mass./North Middlesex) joins Kelley up front and is expected to anchor the Fitchburg State offense with her speed and quickness, while freshman Erin Morrissey (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) completes the Falcons forward trio after a strong showing during the pre-season. Classmate Julia Gimenez (Framingham, Mass./Medway) will see significant playing time on the offensive end as well.
MIDFIELD
Junior Rebecca Bush (Littleton, Mass./Littleton) will spearhead the Fitchburg State midfield, being labeled as the “quarterback” of the team. Last season, Bush started all 17 games for the Falcons, totaling nine points on three goals and three assists. Senior Kelly Finn (Fitchburg, Mass./Saint Bernards) will join Bush in the midfield, serving a key role in the Falcons transition game, while sophomores Bryana McGrath (Lunenburg, Mass./Lunenburg) and Amber Nunes (West Wareham, Mass./New Bedford) continue to develop their skills for added depth to the Fitchburg State squad.
DEFENSE
Senior captain Mary-Anne Goodsell (West Springfield, Mass./White Oaks) returns as the Falcons lone defensive starter from a year ago. She will be joined by junior Rachel Mays (Somerset, Mass./Somerset), who will be making the transition out of the cage, and sophomore Courtney Brooks (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg). Freshman Erin Martin (Douglas, Mass./Douglas) and classmate Katherine Domenichella (Fitchburg, Mass./Saint Bernards) will also add to the mix
GOALKEEPER
A major change for the Falcons this season comes in its goalkeeping, as newcomer Lucy Holewa (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) enters the start of the 2012 campaign as the starter Freshman Judith Valentin (Brockton, Mass./Brockton) is expected to see significant time in the cage as well.
SCHEDULE
The 2012 season will continue to be competitive for Fitchburg State as the LEC has only become stronger over the years.
“The LEC and MASCAC are always very competitive leagues,” said Bacher. “But anything is possible and with hard work and dedication, the potential is there to win some games.”
Fitchburg State’s schedule seems to be favorable this year as the Falcons will host 11 games at Elliot Field. The 2012 schedule opens on September 1st as Fitchburg State hosts Simmons College at 12 p.m. and concludes its brief two game home stand on September 5th with a home contest against Becker College at 4 p.m. Fitchburg State opens conference play on September 8th, traveling to Salem State at 1 p.m.