About Field Hockey
Having won the Freedom Conference title twice and advanced to the NCAA’s Sweet 16 in its first two seasons under Kelly Ford, the Drew field hockey program used 2005 as the starting point for a new period in its illustrious history. A 7-10 record was not a typical result for the dominant program in the Freedom Conference since the turn of the century, but with all but two players returning from last season, a return to elite status seems imminent. Drew’s success has come in part from its ability to draw student-athletes from all over the Middle Atlantic and as far as the U.K. in recent years. The appeal of a nationally competitive program with outstanding academics is obvious, but it is the program’s ethos of ‘play hard, work hard, love the game’ that has made it so successful.
With a new conference beginning in fall of 2007, Drew will be competing against some of the top schools in the Middle Atlantic and Northeast regions such as Stevens, Catholic and Goucher. The Rangers are looking to leave the MAC as champions once again with a young, but talented roster.
The 2006 Rangers will return all but two starters from last season’s squad as they look to regain the conference title they held from 2000-2004. The Drew squads have historically been led by upper-classmen and supplemented by talented younger players, this year that formula looks to continue as the outstanding class of 2008 becomes juniors this season and two seniors, Becky Steinhilber and Kirstin DeFusco bring the experience of two championship rings into their final season. The returning players accounted for over 90% of the team’s goals and 88% of the team’s total points from last season.
The attack will be led by Jen Schoepflin, Ryan Hoover and Steinhilber. Each offers a unique skill set that together makes them a potent unit. While Schoepflin was the high scorer last season, Hoover’s playmaking ability and Steinhilber’s work rate were just as vital to the Rangers’ offense. With added depth from the versatile Hillary DeCataldo, the Green and Blue should rip the nets as often as any team in the conference.
In midfield, replacing the graduated two-time Regional All-American Brittany Westcott will be primary concern, but Ford will have plenty of options to choose from as seven players with the ability to work in the middle return. Juniors Whitney Kerns, DeCataldo and Kelly Anderson each started more than ten games while Lauren Collini brought a new spark to the side. A creative presence in the midfield, Kerns was third on the team in scoring last season with eight points while Collini showed the athleticism and desire to become an impact performer for the Rangers. DeCaltado’s versatility and field sense make her a valuable contributor and Anderson’s tireless work is instrumental to the team. With Nicole Gagliardi and Meghan Santaniello returning to stabilize the backline, the defensive end seems poised to improve upon its 2005 performance.
In 2005, with the goals of the season focused upon during the team’s summer trip to Australia, Ford emphasized the return to fundamentals in practice and in the matches. For 2006, Ford believes the lessons from last year’s struggles and the memories of 2004’s glory will result in a return to championship form for the Rangers, but not solely because of the athleticism and skill of the squad. Having produced three All-Americans, six regional All-Americans, four conference Players of the Year and two conference Rookies of the Year in the past five years, the Drew field hockey program has a history of individual achievement. But, what encourages Ford is the level of character of the student-athletes; “Every woman on the team works hard, plays hard and brings something unique to the team. They are an amazing group of people.”
“The most important thing to me,” insists Ford, “is that my players leave Drew with the same love of field hockey that they had when they first came here. If that is true then the results and joy will come.”
RANGERS TO WATCH
Jen Schoepflin – Jr. Attack
Second team all-conference as a sophomore…led team with 12 goals and 29 points…ranked fifth in conference in goals and points, third in shooting percentage…recorded the conference’s best offense performance with 4 goal outburst in win over DeSales (9/17)... netted game winners against DeSales and Rensselaer (10/1) in overtime…started all 17 matches…back-to-back Freedom Player of the Week for 9/12 and 9/19…quickly becoming a star after scoring one goal in her rookie season, the equalizer in the Freedom Conference championship match.
Ryan Hoover – Jr. Attack
Second on the team with 6 goals and 18 points…led squad with 6 assists…seventh in conference in assists…started all 17 matches…scored 7 goals and recorded 19 points as a first-year…played in all 22 matches, starting 17 in 2004…scored opening goal in the 2004 Freedom Conference championship match against Scranton (11/06/04).
Whitney Kerns – Jr. Midfield/Defense
Started 15 games and played in 16…scored two goals and registered four assists for eight points…the Rangers’ top scoring midfielder…MAC All-Academic team honoree…appeared in nine matches in her first-year…key linking player between defense and attack…good penalty stroke.
Becky Steinhilber – Sr. Attack
Appeared in 16 matches…started 14…netted two goals and assisted on two others…scored the game-winning goal in Rangers’2-1 win over Cabrini (9/3)…has played in 53 for Drew, recording five goals and three assists over three years…two-time MAC All-Academic selection…Behavioral Science major.
Lauren Collini – So. Midfield/Defense
Made a great start to her career at Drew…appeared in 16 games while starting six…scored a goal and assisted on another…netted opening goal in Rangers’2-1 win over Delaware Valley (11/3)…assisted on Jen Schoepflin’s game-winner against Rensselaer (10/1).
Nicole Gagliardi – Jr. Defender
Played in 17 games, starting 16 in her first season with the Rangers…superb defender with strong stick skills…poised performer with a knack for the clutch play…good penalty stroke…played mostly in right defense
