Author: Jeff Klein
Coming within a goal of the NCAA title in 2007, the Middlebury field hockey team begins this season with extra motivation. Finishing the job in 2008, however, will have to come without the services of Reid Berrien '08 and Lacey Farrell '08, last year's goals and assists leaders, respectively. As seniors, the two standout players earned All-American honors at the end of last season from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.
Despite the void left by Berrien and Farrell, the Panthers still have considerable talent and experience, especially in Taryn Petrelli '09 and Heather McCormack '10, who both made the NCAA All-Tournament team last year. Petrelli and Caitlin Pentifallo '09 will captain the squad this fall and try to provide veteran leadership to the seven first-years.
"Our freshmen class is very talented and versatile, and will probably make a big impact right away," said Pentifallo.
The Panther offense that tallied 77 goals last season (3.47 per game) should be a particularly strong area this year, according to Pentifallo. "We are especially excited about our forwards and offensive system in general," she said. "We play a high-tempo game that I expect will be a lot of fun to watch."
Improving upon last year's 17-5 record and trip to the NCAA finals will surely be a tall order, but the team definitely has the necessary ingredients to rise to the
Field Hocker
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