WEST CHESTER, Pa. - For three seasons, West Chester University’s field hockey team has been on the outside looking in when the four teams selected to the Atlantic 10 postseason tournament have been announced. Last season was the closest of all, losing out on a tie-breaker procedure because of a loss at Massachusetts on the final day of the regular season.
What a difference one game can make in a season. The Golden Rams have learned that lesson all too well over the past three years, missing the playoffs by one game each year.
The Golden Rams have lost some key players since last season, but 26-year head coach Kathy Krannebitter has replaced those graduates with some young talent, who learned from the veterans last year. She also has a crop of six juniors that must lead the way, if West Chester is to climb back into the postseason party.
Krannebitter needs to replace graduated seniors Joelle Zarefoss, Beth Wong and Amanda Wynkoop, along with Melissa LeNoir, who transferred out of the program, and Kristen Foore, who was lost to a season-ending injury during the spring. Zarefoss has been the Rams’ No. 1 goalkeeper for the last four years. Perhaps her departure will be felt the most. However, Wong was the anchor in the midfield. She played every position in the midfield and on defense during her stellar college career. She was the unquestioned team leader.
“If we didn’t have the spring to see where we stand, then I would be nervous,” the veteran mentor commented. “But, I feel the spring practice really helped our team. We rely on the spring to redevelop our personalities as a team and find our strengths.”
West Chester was picked to finish seventh out of the eight-team Atlantic 10 in a preseason vote of the loop’s head coaches. Krannebitter feels that is all the motivation her young team needs to prove they belong in the conference. Lock Haven has been admitted to the A-10 as an associate member and will compete in the conference this fall as well.
GOALKEEPING
The two players, who are competing for the starting goalkeeper position, are Kristen Arnold and Gabby Panasiewicz. Both keepers are sophomores, who are working hard to secure that starting role. They each have big shoes to fill with the loss of Zarefoss. You cannot replace the confidence and experience Zarefoss had in the cage. Her ability to help the defense in front of her will also greatly be missed.
“(Arnold) is a very good athlete with great quickness,” Krannebitter praised. “If she has a weakness in her technique she makes up for it in her athleticism. (Panasiewicz) has great skills and a very good technique. The preseason will be very interesting to watch the two keepers compete for the starting role.”
Freshman goalkeeper Julie Kolmer will also battle for playing time with the two sophomores. Krannebitter likes what she sees in the young keeper already.
BACKS
Anchoring the unit in front of the keepers are two returning defenders in co-captains Brynn Adams and Donna Doubet. Both are veteran players, who will be looked upon to secure the backfield. Adams transferred into the program a year ago from Louisville and has settled in as a team leader already. She will take over the center back duties in 2010. Having that leadership on defense is one of West Chester’s strengths.
The third back position will be a competition between sophomores Karly Herb, Carley Buckwalter, Lauren Schott and Nicole Henderson. None saw significant playing time in 2009. However, that will certainly change this fall. That other outside back position needs to become a strength of the Golden Rams, if they are to help the young goalkeepers in the cage.
Freshman Stef Pirri may see limited time in the back on the outside. She may also get a bit of playing time in the midfield, if Krannebitter feels her services are needed there. She has the ability to play either position and could wind up solidifying that outside position.
MIDFIELD
The middle of the field is where West Chester fans will most likely see the biggest change. With the departure of four-year starter Beth Wong, Krannebitter has shifted her lineup considerably in the middle to try to fill that large void.
Senior Kelsie Ward will move up to the midfield from her position at center back a year ago.
“We are looking to replace the experience and leadership of Beth Wong,” Krannebitter explained. “But, I won’t do it if it costs us strength on defense.”
Other midfielders returning in 2010 include Leah Angstad, Michele Schrift, Molly Herlihy and Courtney Wolff.
“Schrift came on real strong in the second half of the season last year,” Krannebitter described. “She made the (Atlantic 10) all-rookie team and has been working hard in the off-season.
“We are also really looking for Angstad to step up this year. It seems like she has pop in her stick.”
Herlihy and Wolff each saw very limited playing time last season. However, Krannebitter has expressed that each needs to contribute more consistently this fall, if West Chester is to improve its midfield play.
Freshmen Britt Scalia, Nancy Stehman and Kelsi Lykens should all compete for playing time. The Rams’ coaching staff feels their young midfielders need to make a contribution for the team to be successful. They will have every opportunity to win playing time during the preseason.
FORWARD
Nicole Firorilla is another player on the move this fall. She will make the step up to the forward line, after playing both midfield and defense last season.
“When Kristen (Foore) went down, we had moved Nicole up because we needed to fill the spot,” Krannebitter explained. “She seems comfortable playing up front.”
Alisha Moran, Kayla Gluchowski, Alyssa Gallen and Kate Zunski are other forwards expected to do big things. West Chester lost most of its offensive production when LeNoir transferred and Foore went down to injury. This foursome needs to be much more productive this fall.
Freshman Caitlin Dempsey was the lone forward in Krannebitter’s recruiting class. She will be expected to contribute right away as well.
OVERVIEW
“We have a lot of depth and opportunity to try new things,” Krannebitter continued. “It’s a good recruiting class. They are very talented and come from great programs. They have a lot of confidence which is probably one their best qualities."
That young freshman class will play an integral role on this year’s team. If the players excel at their new positions and the depth develops, then West Chester will surprise a lot of people.
The Golden Rams have questions in goal. However, new talent in the midfield and some added scoring threats up front may make the Rams a dangerous team.
