FIELD HOCKEY SET FOR OPENING WEEKEND AT ROBERT MORRIS

NOW PLAYING: 2012 Field Hockey preview

Radford Field Hockey begins the 2012 season on the road for a pair of contests at Robert Morris University this weekend. The Highlanders open their campaign on Saturday, Aug. 25 against Central Michigan at 10:30 a.m., and will either play Villanova or the host Colonials on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.

Entering his 27^th season at the helm of the Highlanders, Jeff Woods' squad returns just two upperclassmen and a total of six players that saw significant time on the field last year. This is due to the departure of nine starters. Along with seven seniors, a pair of junior nursing majors in Caroline Hollerbach and Alison McNaught decided to forego their senior seasons to concentrate on their studies in a very rigorous academic curriculum.

These departures leave Woods with just one senior, two juniors and 15 underclassmen.

Returning to the starting lineup are juniors Alayna Versage and Sidney Encarnacion. The duo, along with sophomore Amy Kinkler will be a veteran presence on defense, which saw the graduation of four-year starter centerback Lynsey Daughtrey, who played almost every minute during her career.

Encarnacion got her first full season between the pipes for the Highlanders, posting a 2.48 goals against average with 81 saves in 1102:06 of action. Encarnacion will have competition as freshmen Heidi Pomposinia and Jillian Lates look to battle for time in the cage.

Versage started 19 contests and recorded a team-best four defensive saves. Also working into the lineup will be Kinkler's classmate Kellen Keys, along with newcomers, Jessi Lykens, Stacey Mackintosh and Emily Hoke.

With the majority of the offense lost to graduation, the Highlanders will rely on young guns to fill those shoes. Sophomore forwards Ashton Cox and Sydney Myrdal were the only players to see significant time as they came off the bench in all 20 matches last season. Cox netted three goals, while Myrdal dished out an assist. Senior Emily Voss returns after sitting out last season. The midfielder scored a pair of goals in 2010.

The forwards will be joined by freshmen Jana Bayer, Marianna Parker and Katelyn Adkins, while the revamped midfield could see any number of combinations, which could include sophomores Jennifer Hedrick, Paige Doughty and Jordan Vrhovac, as well as Hoke, Bayer and Mackintosh.

The Highlanders are young and may take a little time to gel, but with the combination of veterans and talented rookies, they may be in for a successful 2012 campaign.

Print Friendly Version