2011 College Season Preview by Simone Attles
USA Field Hockey Intern
The fall semester, for most, is highlighted with crisp autumn air, homecoming football games, and new textbooks. It all starts in September, right? Wrong. Little do they know that a few have been on campus since the grueling, sticky heat of August. These young women have spent countless hours training and preparing for the field hockey season to begin. So what is the cut short summer, awful racerback tan, sore hamstrings and blistered feet all for? It’s for a chance at the 2011 National Championship. The schedules are made, the coaches are hired and the teams are set, but the outcome remains unwritten and the title remains unclaimed.
Let us start at the top with the Terrapins. With Missy Meharg, at the helm, the Maryland squad returns after claiming last year’s NCAA Division I National Championship. The loss of 2010 Sportswoman of the Year, four-time ACC Offensive Player of the Year and USA National Team striker, Katie O’Donnell, will be tough. And even with a talented returning team, the Terps will have to find away to fend off some fierce competition.
Right on the heels of Maryland are the Tar Heels from the University of North Carolina. Karen Shelton brings back an experienced group who will undoubtedly look to take the 2011 Title after a runner-up finish in College Park last year. Shelton boasts nine returning starters, but will need to fill the goal cage that USA National Team member, Jackie Kintzer left empty. Not to mention the vacancy left by USA National Team member, Katelyn Falgowski, who has postponed her final season for a chance at a second Olympic appearance.
One could compare the dominance of Maryland and North Carolina as a ground hog day effect. However, the sheer talent that resides in the following two teams cannot go overlooked. Princeton University and the University of Vir- ginia are surely ready to break the ‘Terp and Tar Heel’ cycle.
Combined, Virginia and Princeton have six active USA National Team members enrolled in their institutions. Princeton hones four, the most of any current collegiate team, and was also the only team to defeat Maryland in 2010. Most reading these stats would assume 2011 would be Princeton’s year. But the Tigers will have to dig a little
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deeper as all four athletes will miss the 2011 season while training for a chance at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Virginia will also miss two of its key players, but will still look to pick up some wins within the heartbreakingly tough ACC conference.
Those four schools have surely risen to an elite group. But, this next group of teams has the potential to do some serious damage. There is no denying the Buckeyes, the Wolverines, the Orange or the Huskies, who each return an intimidating roster in 2011.
The Ohio State Buckeyes will attempt to improve on last year’s Final Four appearance. After a solid spring showing, outscoring their opponents 18-2, the star studded cast will return to Columbus, Ohio with more experience and zest. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
If you know Big Ten college football, then you know about the passionate, at times crazy, rivalry that transpires between the Buckeyes and the following team. The neighbors to the north in Ann Arbor, Michigan will be strong contenders for the 2011 title.
Now let’s look atop the Big East Conference. Here we see a close battle between Connecticut and Syracuse. Both teams have seen great success within the conference, but have yet to claim the big trophy in recent years. The Huskies lose graduated senior and USA National Team member, Melissa Gonzalez, but still brings back a skilled group. Similarly, the Orange will prepare for battle with returning experience. The two teams will meet in Storrs this year in an always exciting match.
Now we’ll take a glimpse at some other talented teams who will also look to make a serious run for the 2011 National Championship. First up – the Nittany Lions of Penn State, who will bring back many key returners and a strong incoming class this year. At Wake Forest, Jen Averill’s squad will hope to continue the notable play seen at last year’s ACC Tournament. Head coach Steve Jennings will attempt to maintain the dominance of the Patriot League, contesting for American’s ninth straight conference title. Old Dominion will be one to watch as every single one of their non-
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