FARMVILLE, Va. - Sixth-year head coach Iain Byers and his young squad are looking to improve and impress in 2013. The Lancers enter the new season following an 8-13 campaign from a year ago, including a second-place, regular-season finish in the Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference (NorPac) East Division. The team is led by a talented group of 14 returners, while eight newcomers have been added to this year's roster.

"We've got a point to prove against a number of teams that we should have played better against," said Byers. "Historically, we've made a lot of big strides each year and last year we stuttered a little bit, but we want to get back out there and continue to improve."

Despite being a relatively young team, Byers believes he has the right mix of players to put together a successful run.

"We are a young team," explained Byers. "We have six upperclassmen and then 16 freshmen and sophomores. However, we are very dynamic and very athletic, and although we are very young, we have a lot of experience and playing time."

Keys to Success
When asked what he thought the team's keys to success for the upcoming season would be, Coach Byers' answer was easy: keep it simple and work to increase their game IQ.

"I think we're going to have to do the basics very well," commented the Canterbury, England native. "Something that we really focused on in the spring that we want to continue to focus on is how we approach the game from an analytical point of view. We can run with the best team in the world, but we have to be able to think with the best team in the world. Thinking at that level is hard, but we can do it if we want to. That will be the biggest stride. If we are successful, it will be because we did that."

Game Plan
According to the sixth-year coach, being a young squad will not hinder the Lancers. Byers explained that since his entire team is extremely athletic this season, his game plan will revolve around sticking to the basics and letting the student-athletes' true talent shine.

"Because we are young, I think our game plan will be to use some simple systems, but we're going to try to approach them in a very logical and thoughtful manner," said Byers. "We're not going to be doing tons of different things, but we're going to have one or two things that we do very well and tweak those to give us lots of variation and options."

Leadership
Byers feels he has a great group of seniors, who all bring something different to the squad. If they mesh well together and understand each other's strengths and weaknesses, then he feels Longwood will have a very good leadership group.

"Stacey de Grandhomme leads through her example -- how hard she works and the level she holds herself to," commented Byers. "Kaye Goulding is very vocal. She sees the big picture and knows how to get to the big picture. Nicole Segala is very good at bringing people from different groups together and getting them to buy in. Finally, Caitlin Smith is just on point with everything. She's very intelligent, she knows what she wants and she's not too worried about stepping on a few toes to get what is best for the team."

While the senior class is a talented leadership group in itself, Byers explained that he will be looking for student-athletes from every class to step up and help guide this program.

"We are also going to be looking for leadership by class. For example, those who will be doing the right things at the right times when no one is watching what decisions are being made. What those less obvious leaders do is very important, too."

Newcomers
Byers is confident that several members of his incoming class will make an impact right away.

"As a group, the freshmen are great athletes," explained Byers. "They seem very motivated and seem to understand what we're trying to achieve and how we're trying to improve. They make up a third of the team, so they will define a lot of our success. We're expecting a lot from them. We're expecting them to push and become as important as they want to be. If they want to get that starting position, they're going to have to work hard, but they can get it. I'm sure they will all challenge themselves and the rest of the team to be a good addition to the squad."

Forwards
Longwood's forward line is its most experienced, including three of the team's top scorers from a year ago. Junior Jessica Diaz/Chesapeake returns as the Lancers' most productive attacker after tallying 12 goals and four assists for 28 total points in 2012. Sophomores Jennifer Burris/Virginia Beach and Kim Ruiter/Huizen, the Netherlands, who finished last season with 21 and 17 points, respectively, will look to add to the offensive effort. In addition, sophomore Nicole Deckard/Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania and junior Kelly Fay/Havertown, Pa. will be counted on to add depth to the position.

"Up front we've got a lot of people who want to improve," said Byers. "We've got a lot of goal scorers in there. We scored more goals last year than we've ever scored in Division I."

Midfield
A veteran leader on both sides of the ball, senior Stacey de Grandhomme/Cape Town, South Africa looks to pace Longwood once again. The 5-7 midfielder led the team with 17 goals and 38 total points in 2012, while earning NorPac East Division Player of the Year and NFHCA All-South Region First Team accolades.

"Stacey will work hard to lead what is probably our youngest, but most dynamic section of the field," explained Byers. "She is talented and versatile and we expect great things out of her this season."

Byers also expects several freshmen and sophomores to fill this position.

"Three or four freshmen played a lot of minutes there last year, so we're excited that they're going to push on. Meghan O'Connor, who saw time in the midfield last year, is very solid and consistent. Hollie MacDonald is very dynamic. Incoming freshman Lindsay Lysher will be very dynamic in the midfield, as well."

Defense
Caitlin Smith/Hampton, who saw action in all 21 of the Lancers' games in 2012, will be the backbone of the squad's defensive line this season. 

"Caitlin played most of the minutes this spring," said Byers. "She knows what she needs to work on and is improving every day. She is an extremely coachable player."

As for the other defensive positions, Byers says they are up for grabs.

"The outside positions will be interesting because we've got some freshmen coming in who could take them, but we also have experienced, veteran players, so it's really a battle. Emily Leonard got injured half way through the year last year, so she's coming back and is very determined to really push that group. Jordan Chapman is a very good defender coming in and newcomer Ellen Ross will be part of the back group, too. Rachel Lombardi redshirted last year, but has made leaps and bounds and we're looking forward to her see time."

Goalkeepers
This season, the Lancers have three capable goalkeepers who will compete to see playing time. Last year, sophomore Meg Mitchell/Allentown, Pa. saw action in a team-high 17 games, turning away 76 shots for a .613 save percentage. Kaye Goulding/Tickhill, England, a senior returning from an injury, has a .747 career save percentage and a 1.94 career goals against average. In addition, freshman Lauren Bernard/Langhorne, Pa. will be looking to push for a spot this year, as well.

"We've got three goalkeepers this year," commented Byers. "Meg had a phenomenal freshman year. Kaye is coming back from an injury last year, but she had a very good spring and we're expecting her to be competitive. Lauren Bernard, a new addition who comes from a good area and a good program, is going to push, as well, so we're excited to have three goalkeepers at such a high level."

Schedule
The Lancers' campaign will be highlighted by eight home games, which will be played at the Athletics Complex in Farmville, in addition to nine road games and two neutral site contests. Longwood will welcome Saint Joseph's University for the season opener on Saturday, Aug. 31 beginning at 1 p.m.

"This marks the 89th year of field hockey at Longwood and we are all very excited to get it started," said Byers. "We have a great schedule that includes a lot of teams that we should be very competitive with. The team is more tactually aware this year and we have worked on understanding the game as a team this spring, which will allow us to approach each match in a more successful manner.

"We don't play any back-to-back games this year, so we know we will be better prepared for each contest than in previous seasons."

This year's Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference (NorPac) schedule features a home-and-home series against each of the other four East Division conference members. The Lancers will open league play at home against Appalachian State University on Saturday, September 14 at 12 p.m.

"Our conference games are scheduled throughout the season, allowing us time to prepare for each game," explained Byers. "We know we can be competitive and we want to regain that NorPac East title. As a team, we have the ability to do it, and as long as we are focused and work hard on all facets of our game, we can definitely be in the running."

Postseason
The NorPac Conference Tournament will be hosted by in-state rival Liberty University on November 7-9.

"We're excited for the NorPac Tournament," concluded Byers. "It's right around the corner at Liberty, so it's not too far away. As much as we love hosting, sometimes it's nice to be on the road because it has a bit more of a tournament atmosphere. Stanford and Cal will be strong as usual, but we're confident in the East Division. If we can win our division, then we put ourselves in the best position, so that's our target."