August 25, 2005
Farmville, Va. -- The Longwood University field hockey program is entering the third year of its four-year NCAA reclassification period during 2005-06 toward official certification in September 2007, operating under all Division I rules and regulations, including the scheduling requirements. The Lancers, who finished the 2004 season with a 7-10 overall record, lost only two players to graduation and have 13 letterwinners returning along with six newcomers.
"We lost two quality seniors in 2004 in Lorrie Watts and Julie Patterson," stated eighth-year head coach Nancy Joel. "But the 2005 squad will see the largest number of returnees since I took over the program. We have an exceptionally strong senior class in Sarah Hitchings/Virginia Beach (Kempsville), Echo Naugle/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne), Julie Price/Stafford (Stafford), Alexis Ramey/Westminster, Calif. (Marina), Shannon Ratte/Virginia Beach (Kempsville) and Marina Sizow/Virginia Beach (Kempsville). Most of these players have had starting experience in the past. They will definitely play a major role in our success this coming season."
Another change this season is membership in the Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference (NorPac). The NorPac is a single-sport, field hockey conference that includes the following institutions: Appalachian State University, Davidson College, Radford University, Stanford University, University of California, and the University of the Pacific. While the Lancer student-athletes will be eligible for NorPac in-season and post-season awards, the Longwood program will not be eligible for the NorPac Tournament during 2005 and 2006. The NorPac Tournament champion earns an automatic berth into the Division I Field Hockey Championships.
"Gaining membership into the Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference is a great boost to the program," stated Joel. "It will allow both team and individual player recognition. We were very fortunate to be allowed to compete now and not have to wait until our full Division I status in 2007."
A position-by-position look at this year’s team, beginning with the defense. Ratte will again lead the defense, along with junior Katie Murphy/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne), sophomores Danielle Woodie/Fredericksburg (Chancellor) and Lyndsay Owen/Virginia Beach (Kellam) and freshman Sarah Pederson/Escondido, Calif. (San Pasqual). In front of the net will be either sophomore Avanell Schmitz/Newport News (Denbigh) or redshirt freshman Erin West/Stafford (North Stafford).
"I am expecting our defense to step up strongly right away, as our goalkeepers Ava Schmitz and Erin West will need their support for their first full intercollegiate season," explained Joel. "Both have seen some Division I play in the spring, and I am confident that they can make the transition to the speed of the Division I game."
The midfield will bolster Hitchings, a captain, and junior Katy Lernihan/Fredericksburg (Chancellor). Hitchings led the 2004 squad in points (15) and assists (5) and was second in goals (5), while Lernihan played and started in every contest and contributed two goals and one assist. They will be surrounded by Sizow and Naugle, junior captain Anne Hundley/Norfolk (Granby), sophomores Cherie Ratte/Virginia Beach (Kempsville) and Erin Murphy/Stafford (North Stafford) and newcomers Mary Danielle Basye/Lottsburg (Northumberland) and Jennifer Wysong/New Egypt, N.J. (New Egypt).
"Sarah Hitchings and Katy Lernihan will be joined in the midfield by an array of talent that will add strength and a lot of different playing options," said Joel. "We have very adaptable players that can change things up in a game to create difficulties for our opponents."
The forward position will see Ramey and sophomore Cristin Newbold/Norfolk (Maury) at full strength. Both were lost for some of the 2004 season due to injuries, but still were able to make an impact. Ramey scored a team-leading six goals and added one assist, while Newbold tallied two goals and assisted on one other. Both will be joined by Price and sophomore Mary Freeman/Fredericksburg (Stafford), along with freshmen Leah Evans/Rossland, B.C, Canada (Rossland Secondary), Carra Bunner/Virginia Beach (Kempsville) and Megan Elgin/Virginia Beach (Kempsville).
"Artificial turf play is fast and requires a lot of running from the forward group," stated Joel. "These players will be expected to create a lot of scoring opportunities for us."
Longwood will play a 17-match schedule of all Division I opponents, including six games against NorPac members. The season is highlighted by four matches against in-state institutions James Madison, Radford, Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth. The Lancers will travel to California for games against Stanford, California and Pacific, all members of the NorPac. Rounding out the season are home games against Appalachian State, Davidson, Lock Haven, Maryland Baltimore County, Rider, Robert Morris and St. Francis (Pa.) and road games at Georgetown, Temple and American
"Our transition to Division I requires us to improve the strength of our schedule throughout our transition period," said Joel. "This year we bring aboard American, ranked seventh in 2004, as well as perennial favorites Virginia, James Madison and VCU. Pacific is likely to be our strongest opponent at the conference level."
The Lancers will begin their season this Sunday, August 28 when they travel to Harrisonburg for a match against James Madison. Game time is slated for 2:00 pm.
