Volume CXXXIII, Number 1 September 7, 2001 f

Field hockey ready to launch season on new field
KRISTEN DUMMER
Staff Writer

The Bowdoin Field Hockey Team is ready to launch its season with an opening game against MIT this Saturday. The women are looking to defend last fall's 15-2 record under returning head coach Nicky Pearson and assistant coach Kristin Redmond.

With a strong force of returning varsity contributors, Coach Pearson said she is positive about the upcoming season. Senior captains Sarah Banister, Heather Nicholson and Allison Scaduto lead the team this year. According to Coach Pearson, Nicholson has been a vital part of the team from her start as a first year. Pearson said she is counting on Nicholoson to "anchor down the defense" this season.

Fellow senior Scaduto has also been playing on the varsity squad since her first year. Her speed and stick skills will appoint her "the playmaker" at her midfield position, Pearson said.

Leah McClure '03 was the Polar Bears' leading scorer last fall. Returning as a junior, McClure promises to be a dynamic forward, helping the offense to the goal again this season.

Gillian MacDonald '04, starting goalkeeper last year, will continue to defend the Bears' net this season.

"We have an incredibly talented group of returners who know how to win and who want to be the best in the NESCAC again," Nicholson said.

Scaduto displayed similar thoughts. "What I think is so unique about the field hockey team this year is that every single player is on the same page and working towards success together," she stated. "Even having been off the field for nine months, we stepped on the field for the first day of practice, and immediately were connecting as if it was late October."

The field hockey team stretches before practice. (John Korstan Moran, Bowdoin Orient)

The outlook for upcoming seasons is also optimistic, with a strong group of first years turning out for the team. According to Nicholson, the first years add depth to the team.

Recently, the team's concentration has been on adjusting to their new home turf. The Howard F. Ryan '28 AstroTurf field was constructed this summer, and is a new and challenging surface for the Polar Bears' game.

"We play a fast passing game that has transitioned well onto our new turf," Nicholson stated.

The Polar Bear women seem focused and ready to perform tomorrow afternoon in 1:00 action against MIT. The field hockey team's first NESCAC contest will also be a home game, as they face off against Williams on September 15.

"We will need to work hard to be the best," Nicholson said. "This is going to be a very exciting season!"