Of the 325 NCAA Division I women’s field hockey teams, 16 made it to the 2003 NCAA Tournament.

Seven of those participants will play the Syracuse women’s field hockey team, a squad that finished four games under .500 and missed the Big East tournament for the first time in its 15-year existence.

Call it poor luck, punishment, or bad timing. Or perhaps one of those hidden lessons that won’t be appreciated right away.

Head coach Kathleen Parker appreciates it already. SU’s coach of 26 years doesn’t even get to mold her team into mid-season form before facing the nation’s elite. Starting with Richmond on Sept. 5, the Orange will face five of the seven NCAA Tournament teams in September, but Parker understands it will benefit Syracuse in the long run.

‘It’s probably as challenging a schedule as any we’ve had,’ Parker said. ‘But you don’t get any better until you play these types of teams.’

That list includes national semifinalist Michigan, Old Dominion – which has won nine national championships under the guidance of coach Beth Anders, Penn State, American and Richmond. And that doesn’t even include conference foes, Connecticut and Boston College.

Last season, Syracuse faced three eventual tournament teams. SU’s 7-11 record and 1-4 conference record were fairly competitive, though. Six of the Orange’s losses were by a single goal, including three of its four conference losses. Now with an experienced roster and a formidable defense, the Orange hopes to be on the other end of those games.

Leading the defense are All-American candidates Joanne Lombard and Michelle Sola. The two juniors not only kept shots out of the cage in 2003, but also were two of the three leading scorers.

Last year’s starting goalie Betsy Wagner, was expected to start this year as well. But midfielder Jessica Dahle started in last night’s season opener at Temple.

‘Sola and Lombard give us two very, very strong defenders,’ Parker said. ‘Throw in (Captain Lindsay) Kocher, a four-year starter, and Erin Fitzgerald who has seen significant time, and yes, we are solid defensively.’

Several players should also relieve some of the pressure placed on the defense. Center midfielder Lindsay Peirson and forward Meredith Gettel will be entering their third years as starters. Gettel was second on the team in scoring last year with 18 points.

Dahle put in an impressive off-season of training to help her case for action in the midfield, and possibly, goalie.

‘Physically, Jess is in the best shape of her career,’ Parker said.

Five freshmen will get a taste of collegiate competition to prepare them for the departure of eight seniors at the end of this season. Brittany Angellella, Courtnie Geissler, Jessica Lerew, Krissy Woods, and Gloria Nantulya will hope to contribute to this season’s turnaround.

‘I want to stay competitive,’ Parker said. ‘We have a tough early part of the schedule, but the combination of that and the experience we gained last year, I think we can take care of ourselves in the league.’

Nuts and Bolts

Coach Kathleen Parker

Key Players Joanne Lombard

Michelle Sola

Last Year’s Record 7-11

Key Storyline Can the Orange return to the Big East tournament despite its difficult schedule?

Published on August 29, 2004 at 12:00 pm