With a slew of solid returning players, the Tufts field hockey team is geared up for what promises to be one of its best seasons in recent memory. Led by veteran coach Carol Rappoli, the team returns 22 talented and experienced players who hope this year's campaign will land them in the NCAA tournament for the second time in the last three years.
The Jumbos, who last made it to the NCAAs in 1998, start their season with tomorrow's home game against Bentley College.
Although the team has historically been one of the most successful squads in the NESCAC conference, it appears to be especially strong this fall.
"I think we have an exceptionally strong group of returning players and a lot of talent in the freshmen," senior co-captain Amy Polverini said. "Our experience is definitely going to be beneficial to us this season."
Despite the loss of graduated seniors Sarah Christie and Meredith Leroux, a two-time All-American, the team should still fare better than last year's 8-6 regular season record. The Jumbos qualified for the ECAC tournament in 1999, making it all the way to the finals - despite being the eighth seed - before losing to Wesleyan.
"They will definitely be missed," said sophomore center midfielder Lindsay Lionetti of Christie and Leroux. "But a lot of people have stepped it up, and I think that we all agree that we'll be able to fill their shoes."
Polverini echoed her teammates sentiments. "This year some people have stepped into new positions, and we really just have to get used to playing in those positions. Lindsay stepped up to Meredith's position and is doing a great job. Last year's seniors were excellent players, but they can be replaced."
One of the most unique aspects of this year's squad is its defense, specifically its goalies.
"We look really strong defensively, since we're all returning players," Polverini said. "We also have four goalies this year, and what is so unique is that they each have their own special talents that help us out."
Veterans senior Dena Sloan and sophomore Lauren Rufino are likely to split the majority of the net time, while freshmen Fara White and Julie Jackson will fill in on occasion. While sophomores Karen Moar and Ursula Stahl have improved greatly on the defensive end, senior co-captains Polverini and Collette Gaudet should provide the defense's staple.
Offensively, the team will look to sophomore Dana Chivvis, last season's NESCAC Rookie of the Year. Chivvis led Tufts in scoring in 1999 with 28 total points. Senior Mia Baron and juniors Lionetti, Christina Orf and Barbara Szjada are also expected to be key goal scorers this season.
Although the key players should provide the foundation for a winning season, the Jumbos are also graced with versatility and depth.
"We have such a solid bench," Lionetti said. "Any one of our returning players are perfectly capable of stepping onto the field at any given time and doing a great job. It's really comforting to be able to play with such a confident group."
Among the squad's strengths are its small game and speed. The players will be looking to use each other to work the ball down the field using short, quick passes.
"A lot of times we don't match up in size compared to other teams, but we make up for it in speed," Polverini said.
The team expects to meet its toughest competition from Maine rivals Bowdoin and Bates.
"Last year we beat Bates in the postseason when we were ranked eighth and they were first. They'll definitely be out with a vengence," said junior midfielder Liesl Bradford.
"Middlebury is a new addition to our schedule," Polverini added. Tufts heads to Vermont to take on the Panthers on Saturday. "This weekend's game will be a good determination of how we'll do this season."
The Jumbos take on Bentley at 4 p.m. tomorrow on Huskins Field. In the last two seasons, the teams have split games, but the Jumbos look to be the stronger quad this year.
"They're not as skilled as we are on grass... they're more of a turf team," Lionetti said. "But it's going to be a good starting point for us. We're going to have to work really well, but at the same time I don't think it will be too overwhelming."
"Player for player we're a very strong team," Bradford said. "They key to this season is to put all of our skills together and unify. We're such a close-knit group and I can see us doing great things this year"
