2014 Field Hockey Preview
Building off a 14-6 record from last season, head coach Amy Cohen’s one game at a time mentality has them not looking ahead to any particular team but only focusing on themselves.
“We are the same way every year and that is one game at a time,” Cohen remarked.
The Golden Rams are prepared to bounce back with another strong performance this upcoming season after being selected fourth in the nation by the Penn Monto / NFHCA Division II Preseason Poll.
This is the third consecutive year that the team graduates five starters, but Cohen showcased little concern on the topic.
Cohen enters her fourth season, acknowledging that “we do a great job in the off-season of developing our players that we have now and not have to rely on the freshman.”
The team does not replace players, but rebuilds from within the program with 14 returning players whose time is now. Cohen emphasized two strengths are their speed, especially upfront with the forwards and maturity on the field.
There are four captains being relied on to provide a successful season and continue their strong work ethic.
First captain is senior midfielder Kelsey Cheek (Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest) who is a valuable asset by being a versatile player with speed who has played all over the field. Senior Hannah Davies (Mountaintop, Pa./Crestwood) is another captain who brings versatility.
The other two captains are a pair of juniors in Alexis Versak (Limerick, Pa./Spring-Ford), and Kristina Scherrer. Versak is a dynamic right midfielder who returns in a leadership position, alongside Scherrer who is the striker in the corners as a back.
This junior class all made great strides as sophomores last season, especially bringing leadership to a relatively young squad.
“Our junior class almost views themselves as seniors and we needed to make sure to have that upperclassmen leadership,” Cohen stated.
In addition to Versak and Scherrer, junior Alayna Brown (Telford, Pa./Souderton) came into her own last season. The returning goal scorer has Cohen excited by being her “best ball handler that is all finesse and fun to watch play.” Brown scored eleven goals and posted 25 points last fall.
Two other junior midfielders providing upperclassmen leadership are Alexa Moran (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) and Morgan Hagner (Audubon, Pa./Methacton).
Sophomore Dayle Paustian (Martinsville, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) is a midfielder to watch after suffering an injury early on last season. The time missed gave Paustian a chance to learn from watching the games.
The continued growth has Cohen referencing “fire and ice between Paustian and Cheek because there is a ball handler in one and the other is extremely fast so it’s been a fun combination to watch them work so far.”
Providing depth to the midfield/back position is four freshmen that are eager to get the opportunity to learn and play. Those freshman are Lauren Measel (Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown East), Morgan Snodgrass (Egg Harbor, N.J./Egg Harbor Township), Marissa Cafone (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex), and Kelly Wolff (Ottsville, Pa./Pennridge.
Sophomore center forward Marnie Kusakavitch (Pittston, Pa./Holy Redeemer) is someone Cohen showed much confidence in, after she received playing time as a freshman last year. Expect her number to be called upon as it is her duty to control everything on the press.
A deep sophomore class gives the Cohen the type of depth that compliments their speed, including sophomore forward Alli Morris (Coatesville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) and sophomore transfer Giuliana Antignani (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnett Valley) from Kent State University.
In addition to Scherrer, sophomores Caitlin Wood (Plains, Pa./ Coughllin), Allie Malacari (Plains, Pa./Holy Redeemer), and Nikki Bennett (Littlestown, Pa./Gettysburg) all add depth at the backend for the Golden Ram defense.
The combination of experience and youth has given freshman Rachel Toppi (Glassboro, N.J./Glassboro) the opportunity to start up top at forward. Another freshman expected to receive a good amount of time at forward is Mary Spisak (Boiling Springs, Pa./Boiling Springs).
Cohen made it evident that the best players will play, allowing the freshman to receive an opportunity if they continue to put in the effort.
Defensively, sophomores Audree Bonavita (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley) and Sarah Krause (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) return as the goalkeepers for the Golden Rams. Both saw action in their freshman year as they continue to make strides into a pivotal sophomore season. Bonavita will most likely get the first nod for the opener by finishing out the last 16 games last season.
Getting the opportunity to learn under Bonavita and Krause is freshman Brianna Magner (Egg Harbor, N.J./Egg Harbor Township).
Cohen has complete confidence in her 2014 squad that they will continue to develop throughout the season. An addition to the coaching staff was Kelsi Lykens, a two-time NFHCA Division II first-team All American and West Chester’s career Division II leader with 95 points.
West Chester also ranked second in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference preseason coaches’ poll behind Millersville.
Friday, September 5th is the Golden Rams season opener against Bentley University at 4 p.m.
