2005 Bryant University Field Hockey Preview
Bulldogs Open Season at Defending Champion Bloomsburg
Saturday
The Bryant University field hockey team is ready to begin year
number seven this fall as the Bulldogs head to Pennsylvania to open
the ‘05 campaign with a pair of matchups with Bloomsburg and
Mansfield. The Bulldogs will play three games before the calendars
turn to September starting with a date with the defending national
champion Huskies of Bloomsburg on Saturday, August 27. The team
will close out the two-day trip with a stop over against Mansfield
on Sunday, August 28 before returning home to take on defending
NE-10 Champion UMass Lowell at the Bryant Field Hockey Complex on
Wednesday, August 31.
Bryant has two seniors, and they bring a wealth of experience to the squad. Having been to two NCAA Final Four championships, there is no question they have the character to lead this team in the right direction.
All-American Maureen Burns (Derry, N.H.) and Kerry Burke (Reading, Mass.) headline what will undoubtly be another banner year at Bryant. Here’s how the Bulldogs break down, position by position.
Attack
With two captains heading the front lines, Bryant carries its most seasoned veterans on the attack. Burns, along with junior Michaela Dywer (Buskirk, N.Y.) will control the tempo and pace of this squad, and use their chemistry to keep opponents off balance. Dywer’s power-style of play, coupled with Burns’ finesse make them one of the top tandem’s in the conference. They will be joined by junior Courtney O’Brien, (Tewksbury, Mass.) who is one of the fastest players in the league, and junior Laynie Sadler (Rehoboth, Mass.), who is poised for a breakout season. Sadler finished the 2004 campaign with 10 points over the last five games of the year.
Midfield
Anchored by junior Ocean State native Deanne Viveiros
(Tiverton, R.I.), the midfield position will feature a lot
of growth for the Bulldogs in 2005. Having started every game for
Bryant since arriving on campus, Viveiros is joined by Burke, who
will both set an example for the rest of the team. Burke is making
the move to the defensive side of the field this year to provide an
attack punch from the back, as well as composure and experience to
an otherwise youthful core of players. There is room for
underclassman to step up. Sophomore Krissy Levis (Andover,
Mass.) was a starter last season while freshman
Ashley Miranda (Tiverton, R.I.) - a teammate of
Viveiros in high school - is an excellent addition to the
lineup this season.
Defense
Junior Kristin Tighe (North Easton, Mass.) returns as the lone starter in a position that could the Bulldogs most crucial. Sophomore Rebecca Lange (Whitinsville, Mass.) is back after recovering from surgery, while freshman Jenna DeMello (Mohegan, Lake, N.Y.) could crack her way into the starting lineup.
Goalkeeper
With Kristin Patat having graduated, the area generating the most excitement for the Bulldogs and their fans, will be at the goalkeeper spot. Who knows what to expect between sophomore Kasey Kortz (Louisville, Ky.) and freshman Marie Grant (Weston, Mass.). Both are very talented, and should spark intense competition among the entire team, making the Bulldogs better on the whole. There’s a good chance people could see a game-day atmosphere heating up during the practice days of August.
