Field Hockey Squad Opens Preseason Camp
WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Despite the rain drops putting a bit of a damper on opening day, West Chester University's field hockey squad hit Vonnie Gros Field with a purpose. Head coach Kathy Krannebitter lifted the lid on her 26th preseason camp with quite a bit to prove.
"This was a good day for us," Krannebitter said. "We showed a lot of enthusiasm. Our freshmen came in skill-wise pretty well. I think they really made an impression today.
"I thought our upperclassmen also did a good job. We finished with a little competition, and all-in-all, I think the day went well."
West Chester University, picked to finish seventh in the Atlantic 10 preseason polls by the loop's head coaches, has something to prove. Krannebitter was excited about what she saw during the brief stints of competition on the turf Thursday. It was necessary to discover where the Golden Rams stand entering camp.
"You find out where their energy-level is and what the tempo of practice will be like," Krannebitter continued. "You figure out who the leaders are on the field, and then you go from there. I think we saw some good things. And, I think we now know where we need to work."
The off-season conditioning is always the big unknown for any fall season coach. However, Krannebitter was pleased with what she saw in just the two-hour session.
"Their condition was decent. We have another test tonight," Krannebitter added. "But, it was better than it was last year. I think everyone did a pretty good job."
West Chester opens its 52nd season of field hockey on Saturday, Aug. 28 with a 1 p.m. tilt against Fairfield at Vonnie Gros Field.