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Duke Field Hockey Set for 2008 Campaign
DURHAM, N.C. ? With practice set to kick off this week and the 2008 season less than three weeks away, the Duke field hockey team is ready to take the field at the start of the journey toward a national title.
Since the arrival of head coach Beth Bozman in 2003, Duke has made five straight trips to the NCAA Tournament and appeared in four Final Fours, including three national championship games in Bozman’s five seasons. With seven incoming freshmen added to the program, the Blue Devils will be a young team but will benefit from the experience and leadership of the seasoned upperclassmen.
“We are looking forward to starting practice and getting back out on the field,” said Bozman, who has compiled an impressive 83-29 record in her time at Duke. “Every player has been on a unified mission since our season ended last November. They’ve worked incredibly hard over the summer and the results are obvious.”
“We are also excited to welcome an extremely talented freshman class who will immediately blend into our line-up. We’ve worked for it, we expect it, and we believe this is going to be a great year for Duke field hockey.”
Seven of the current players have international playing experience in representing their respective countries. In the summer leading up to the season, 10 players competed at High Performance Training Centers (HPTC) along the east coast ending with the championship series in Virginia Beach. HPTC is a great opportunity for high-level athletes to continue to learn and grow during the off-season.
THE CAPTAINS
Duke will be led by a foursome of captains in 2008 in seniors Laura Suchoski and Marian Dickinson, and juniors Lauren Miller and Brooke Patterson.
In her junior year, Suchoski proved to be an exceptional leader as one of three captains on a squad that earned the program’s sixth straight and ninth overall NCAA Tournament berth. Dickinson will rejoin the team after taking the spring semester off to compete at the Olympic Qualifier with the Canadian National Team and will serve as a great asset to the team, bringing both international experience and a strong work ethic that will sustain the program’s position among the nation’s elite.
Miller and Patterson have been consistent starters for the Blue Devils in their two years at Duke. In 2007, the pair combined forces with then-senior Shayna McGeehan to create the defensive lineup as the Blue Devils allowed just 2.14 goals per game. The juniors are now a crucial piece of the leadership core for the young squad.
THE PLAYERS
Duke returns 13 letterwinners and eight starters from a season ago. Despite the graduation of the senior foursome of McGeehan, Courtney Elliott, Rachel Link, and Caitlin Williams, the roster maintains a wealth of experience and talent. The returnees are joined by the seven freshmen who are eager to make their mark, and who are expected to make an immediate impact.
THE FORWARDS
Duke begins the season with five returning forwards. A season ago, Annie Survilla led the attacking unit with 12 goals while tallying 24 points and was dominant under pressure going two-for-two on penalty strokes. Susan Ferger was quick to contribute with five goals and two assists on the season, combining for 12 points in her first collegiate season. Ferger started all 20 contests bringing speed, vision, and a relentless work ethic to the front line. Ashley Pultorak, who recorded four goals as a junior in 2007, will also be looked upon to contribute in the scoring efforts.
Fellow returning forwards Lauren Amicucci and sophomore Camilla Dagorn recorded a combined three goals last season and will be looking to make a deeper impact as they take on the 2008 season.
The forward line is rounded out by the incoming talent of transfer Pauline Lim and freshman Jordan Miller.
THE MIDFIELD
Senior captains and All-America selections Laura Suchoski and Marian Dickinson will lead the midfield in 2008. Both bring a wealth of national team experience, while their poise on the collegiate field will continue to lead the squad.
Suchoski tallied 20 points with six goals and eight assists in 2007, ranking third in points on the team for the season. While starting in all 20 contests, she was able to lead and guide on the field. As an attacking midfielder Dickinson led the team in goals for the second straight season with 15 scores.
The duo will look to returning sophomore midfielders Sarah Schoffstall and Casey Beyel to help strengthen the midfield line. Schoffstall saw action in 19 games in her first season, recording 18 starting assignments as her speed and strength made her a valuable asset to the team. Beyel saw action in 15 games and recorded a goal and an assist. The midfield line welcomes talented newcomers Tara Jennings, Megan Deakins, and Rhian Jones. As freshmen, the three are expected to make an immediate impact with their experience, talent, and enthusiasm.
THE DEFENSE
The Blue Devils’ back line will be led by junior captains Lauren Miller and Brooke Patterson, both having started 20 games for the Blue Devils in 2007. Miller not only anchored the defense with her vision and communication skills, but also recorded four goals and 10 assists on the attacking end as well. Patterson had an outstanding sophomore season, ranking first in the ACC for defensive saves and aiding in the attacking efforts by contributing seven assists.
The line will be supported by sophomore Lauren Galinat, who saw action in three contests in 2007, as well as newcomer Stephanie Fee. As a member of one of the top high school programs in the country in Virginia Beach, Fee brings confidence and composure to the squad.
THE GOALKEEPERS
Two very talented and capable goalkeepers will anchor the Duke defense in 2008. Sophomore Samantha Nelson returns with a year of collegiate training under her belt while freshman Alexandra Comolli joins the team with great potential ? coming in with great athletic skill and composure in the cage.
THE COACHING STAFF
The Duke field hockey staff will be led by Beth Bozman as she embarks on season No. 6 at Duke. Bozman will be accompanied by second-year assistant Jarred Martin, who proved to be a great asset to the program in his first year in 2007.
Joining Bozman and Martin on the sidelines for the first time will be 2008 Duke graduate Caitlin Williams. After a highly-successful four-year career in goal for the Blue Devils, Williams will look to make the transition to the coaching realm.
“We have a staff who has lived what they aspire for this team,” said Bozman. “Caitlin was a Duke graduate and an All-American goalkeeper here. Her passion for Duke and a national championship cannot be contained. Jarred, a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team, brings skill, knowledge, and international experience that are essential. They are great people who are tremendously fun to be with. They complete the Duke program.”
THE SCHEDULE
Once again Duke has sought to play some of the most challenging opponents at the Division I level and has proudly stated that they will be coming out strong and taking on the best competition the NCAA has to offer.
Although the Blue Devils are set to travel for the first three weekends of competition before returning home for their first game at Williams Field against Drexel on Sept. 14, the 2008 schedule is highlighted by 10 home games, including three against ACC foes. The ACC Championships will also be held at Duke.
In addition to playing in arguably the most competitive conference in the country, Duke will play its annual match-ups against tough opponents like Old Dominion, Michigan State, Iowa, and Boston University outside of ACC play.
“We think this is a great schedule that will allow us to show our growth from last year,” said Bozman. “Aside from the obvious strength of our ACC opponents, we’ll also be playing top teams from most of the other top conferences. We are continuing our philosophy of playing the toughest schedule possible ? it makes us stronger.”
THE START
The 2008 season officially kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 30 when the Blue Devils travel to take on Louisville, followed by a match-up vs. either Delaware or Michigan State the following day, also in Louisville.
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