NORFOLK, Va. -- From the winningest Division I coach, to 41 All-Americans, to 24 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, to nine NCAA titles, to seven CAA Players of the Year, to six Honda Award winners...The 2005 version of Old Dominion field hockey is ready to add to the tradition. Head coach Beth Anders and her squad spring into action this weekend hosting Penn State on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and American on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Both game are played at Foreman Field and admission is free.
A young squad took the field in 2004, boasting just two seniors and a host of underclassman. However, with a year under their belts and the knowledge of the high standards Beth Anders and her coaching staff hold, the Lady Monarchs are ready to climb to new heights in 2005.
Six seniors come to the turf this season, including defensive stalwarts Janelle Engle, goalkeeper Mary Cate Gordon, offensive threats Jennifer Angat, Darcy Pinchbeck, and Anna Rogers, along with utility player Rosanna Delutis. These six seniors began their careers back in 2002, the last time Old Dominion advanced to the Final Four, and are eager to end their careers in the same fashion and possibly add another championship trophy to the mix.
Engle has been a vital member of the starting line-up since her freshman year and will look to return to all-conference and all-region status and possibly add All-American this season to her list of awards. Although she stands on the field as one of the last lines of defense, don't count her out on the offense either. As a member of the penalty corner unit last season, she managed second on the Lady Monarch squad in points (21) and ranked eighth in the highly competitive CAA in goals per game (0.48).
Gordon will begin year number two between the pipes. Playing nearly every minute in 2004, Gordon has gone up some of the top goal scorers in the nation including top ranked teams such as North Carolina, Maryland, Duke, and Michigan along with ranked teams from the CAA such as Delaware and William & Mary. ODU's netminder posted nearly six saves per game which included a career-high 14 against #4 Duke and 10 against the Blue Devils during the NCAA Tournament. Gordon's ability to be the in the right spot at the right time kept the Lady Monarchs competitive with the nation's top teams and with her experience and a more skilled defense, the Lady Monarchs should watch their goals against average decrease.
Jennifer Angat has seen roles as both a starter and a top reserve and will look for her offensive production to climb this year. Last season the Virginia Beach product returned to the starting line-up scoring both her goals early in the year. Continuing the trend into the middle and latter stages of the season will be key to Angat's impact.
After redshirting her first year on the team, Darcy Pinchbeck has come on strong on the offense. Last year, the Suffolk, Virginia native was among the team's top scorers scoring six goals, including two game-winners. Pinchbeck has the capability of watching her numbers increase. Last season she was among the top shot takers on opponent goal with 29 shots.
Rogers has been a consistent member of the starting 11 over the last two seasons. Her first season saw her notch nine goals and four assists, while registering two goals a season ago. Rogers has the knack though for getting at the net as last season she fired off 22 shots, fourth on the team in the category.
Although Delutis has been a reserve most of her career, she has always been ready to step in and take whatever role necessary when called upon. She made 17 appearances and cracked the starting line-up on eight occasions when not being one of the top Lady Monarchs off the bench. Defensively, she racked up two defensive saves, just one shy of the tying for the lead, and also scored her first collegiate goals.
The junior class comprises some of Old Dominion's top talent. All-American Dana Sensenig, All-CAA member Caroline Nichols, and reserve Julia Muldrow begin their third year with the team.
Already in her young career, Sensenig has accomplished a lot individually, but will be looking to take the team to the next level. Joining a long distinguished line of All-Americans, Sensenig led Old Dominion in points (43), assists (13), and goals (15) and topped the CAA charts in assists per game (0.62) last season. Additionally, she ranked second in goals per game (0.71) and points per game (2.05) among her CAA peers and nationally 17th in points per game and 14th in assists per contest. .
Right behind Sensenig on the stat sheet in fellow classmate Nichols, who was a Second Team All-CAA selection. The Lady Moanrchs' second leading scorer, Nichols finished her second year on the squad with 10 goals, 11 assists, and 31 points. Nichols is capable of producing big as made evident by multiple goal efforts against #20 Hofstra and #4 Duke in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and her career-high five assist, seven point effort against CAA rival Virginia Commonwealth.
The sophomore class features ODU's first ever CAA All-Rookie Team member, several reserves, and a few new faces.
Freshman Sami McLenegan became Old Dominion first ever All-CAA Rookie selection, a category new to the 2004 All-CAA ballot last season. In her first collegiate season, McLenegan cracked the starting line-up making 15 starts in 21 games, collecting two defensive saves.
Midfielder Shannon Mobley also saw quality time in her first season, which included three starts. In her first year in a Lady Monarch uniform, she collected four goals and an assist, finishing the 2004 season ranked tied for sixth in scoring with nine points.
Maggie Hayes, Lara Meyer, and Whitney Tossone will also be ready step in after redshirting their first season at Old Dominion.
Daphne Admiraal and Jo Ann van Aswegen will return some foreign flare back to the team coming from Holland and South Africa respectively and certainly contend for starting roles once on campus.
Six freshmen begin their careers in 2005: Honorable Mention All-Staters Jessica Borzelleca and Kelly Driscoll, four-sport varsity athlete Samantha Stalter, Southeastern District Player of the Year and Eastern Region Co-Player Katelyn Smither, and Holland products Nicolien van Nispen and Denise Admiraal.
The schedule should come to no surprise to any one who has followed the Lady Monarchs. To be the best, you must play the best...and the best teams in collegiate field hockey once again grace the 2005 schedule. Non-conference opponents in North Carolina, Duke, Maryland, Michigan, Virginia, and Penn State has consistently ranked among the top teams in the country. Adding to the list will also be American and Miami (OH). The CAA continues to be one of the top field hockey conference in the country as Old Dominion will look avenge defeats and pick up wins against the ranked likes of Delaware and William & Mary.