August 28, 2008

BRYANT FIELD HOCKEY SET TO TACKLE DIVISION I CHALLENGES; KICK OFF NEW ERA WITH WEEKEND IN PHILLY

Lauren Alexander is one of just two seniors on the 2008 team.

SMITHFIELD, RI -- In August of 1999, 14 young women assembled on a temporary field for the first practice in the history of Bryant University field hockey. Just a few short years later, in 2002, the program won a share of its first conference title and was off to the NCAA Final Four, a feat it repeated in 2003. It certainly would have been difficult to imagine on that hot August day that in less than 10 seasons, the program would have won a pair of conference titles, made two Final Four appearances, finished the year ranked among the nation's top-10 teams on more than five occasions and had multiple players recognized as all-conference and all-America selections.

What is even more surreal is that this is only the beginning of the story. The fall of 2008 marks the first season of Division I play for Bulldog field hockey. As the program embarks on this new journey, the tradition of excellence which began in '99 - the pride of wearing the black and gold and the legacy of playing "For Keeps" - has grown stronger every season. These are the hallmarks of the team's Tradition of Excellence.

The schedule this fall is a challenging one, featuring competitors from the Big East, Atlantic 10, America East, Patriot League and Ivy League, as well as Bryant's new rivals in the Northeast Conference.

"It was my goal to build a challenging schedule that would allow us to grow as a program, as well as enjoy our time on the road with the places we visit," said head coach Coni Fichera.

The team will open with an early trip to the City of Brotherly Love, playing St. Joseph's University and Temple University, and with a day off in between, should be able to find some time to see the sights.

"Hardly anyone on the team has been to Philadelphia, so I am hoping for us to go to Independence Hall, climb Rocky's steps and have some fun while we are there," said Fichera. "All our travel this season will build the memories that will stay with this team for a lifetime."

The 2008 travel highlights include a trip to North Carolina (Davidson and Radford), as well as seven games in Pennsylvania and a trip down to Maryland (Towson).

This year's returning cast has significant playing experience, with several sophomores and juniors having logged key minutes over the past two seasons. And while there is a good deal of collegiate experience on the roster, the Bulldogs also will look to get a big bounce from a talented group of newcomers.

As Bryant transitions to the next level, there will be an intense focus on playing the game faster, more physically and with a decided emphasis on defense.

"Defense does win championships," explained Fichera, "and while this is true in every sport, it is most certainly a huge focus for us as we transition to Division I."

 

Kundayi Mawema returns in goal for the Bulldogs in 2008.

In goal, the Bulldogs feature two athletically gifted goalkeepers to patrol the defense. Freshman Jennifer Gullotti (Waltham, Mass.) impressed the Bryant coaching staff during Waltham High School's impressive run in the state tournament last year. Gullotti is an honors student, and with the team's intensely challenging schedule, she will be expected to see time immediately. Her counterpart, junior Kundayi Mawema (Harare, Zimbabwe), has started virtually every game for the Bulldogs since her arrival two seasons ago. Mawema has significant international playing experience, having competed for Zimbabwe in the Junior World Cup. A 2007 Second Team All-Northeast-10 Conference selection, Mawema has an excellent understanding of the game and provides strong communication and leadership as the linchpin of the defense.The Goalkeepers

The Backfield
The defensive-minded Bulldogs will use a variety of players in their system in the backfield. Junior Colleen Wilson (Windham, N.H.) had an outstanding spring season moving from the attack to defense - her strong ball skills, coupled with her attacking sense, allowed her to make a smooth transition from circle to circle. Returners Brittany Glenn (Northampton, Mass.), Lauren Alexander (Simsbury, Conn.), Danielle Moody (Gorham, Maine), and Toby Maltz (Andover, Mass.) will be joined by freshmen Emily Charpentier (Walpole, Mass.), Christy Geslak (East Setauket, N.Y.) and Karlie Tiscia (Stamford, Conn.) to make up an athletic defensive group that will look to drive the Bulldogs up-tempo transition style of play.

The Midfield
A two-year starter and 2007 first team all-conference selection, junior Caitlan Johnson (Walpole, MA) will lead the midfield in Bryant's inaugural Division I campaign. As the centermid, Johnson is the Bulldogs' command center.

"Caitlan possesses an excellent hockey IQ and has really grown into her role of controlling the flow of play in both directions," said Fichera.

Joining Johnson in the midfield will be sophomore Brandie Simmonds (Greenfield, Mass.), and freshman Kathie Andrusin (North Andover, Mass.).

The Attack
Up front, the Bulldogs will look to capitalize on their speed by creating quality scoring  opportunities from forced turnovers.

"Every person who steps on the field for us up front must be able to defend," said Fichera. "Using our speed to read passing lanes and create pressure situations for opposing defenders gives us our best chance for success."

During the Division I Longstreth Cup in the spring of 2007, returners Julie Kuchyt (Hatfield, Mass.), Kelly Frantz (Southbury, Conn.), Alex Guisti (Walpole, Mass.), Jenna DeMello (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.), Jessica Maxwell (Mendon, Mass.) and Tia Pydynkowski (Hampton Falls, N.H.) had many opportunities to work together as a unit.

In 2008, they will be joined by sophomore transfer Elise Boissoneau (Ashburnham, Mass.), who joins Bryant from the University of Rhode Island after the Rams dropped their field hockey program in 2007. Boissoneau brings Division I experience to the lineup, having played in 18 games for URI last fall. In addition, two freshmen speedsters, Courtney Landi (Kingston, N.Y.) and Aly Czerniak (Holyoke, Mass.), both bring deft scoring touches, as well as a knack for putting the ball in the right place at the right time.

There is no doubt that the Bulldogs of '08 - not unlike the Bulldogs of the early years - will be looked back on as pioneers. However, with the strong tradition of excellence that has been handed down by each generation, by the women who have worn the black and gold, this historic season is destined to be an unforgettable one for the Bryant University field hockey family.

The Bulldog field hockey team kicks off its new Division I schedule Friday, August 29, when they take on St. Joseph's at 2 p.m. Bryant stays in Philadelphia to face off against Temple at 3 p.m. on Sunday before returning to Smithfield, R.I., Monday, Sept. 1 to play Mansfield Unviersity in its first of two home matches.

The full 2008 Bryant University field hockey schedule is as follows:

August
Sun	24	at Quinnipiac University (Exh.)	TBA
Fri	29	vs. St. Joseph's (@ Drexel)	2:00 p.m.
Sun	31	at Temple University	3:00 p.m.
September
Mon	1	Mansfield	12:00 p.m.
Sat	6	at Lehigh University	11:00 a.m.
Fri	12	at St. Francis (Pa.)	7:00 p.m.
Sun	14	at Robert Morris University	12:00 p.m.
Sat	20	at University of Maine	12:00 p.m.
Tue	23	at LaSalle	4:00 p.m.
Sat	27	at Colgate	1:00 p.m.
October
Fri	3	at Sacred Heart University	4:00 p.m.
Sun	5	Rider University	12:00 p.m.
Sat	11	at Cornell University	1:00 p.m.
Sat	18	at Davidson	4:00 p.m.
Sun	19	vs. Radford (@ Davidson)	1:00 p.m.
Wed	22	at Dartmouth College	3:00 p.m.
Fri	24	vs. Towson (@ Villa Julie College Owings Mills)	7:00 p.m.
Sun	26	vs. Rutgers (@ UConn)	12:00 p.m.
November
Sun	2	at Siena	1:00 p.m.