For the last two seasons, Shippensburg field hockey has won a NCAA postseason contest – something it had never before accomplished in the 48 seasons prior to 2008.
Last year, the Lady Raiders tied a school-record with 20 victories and reached the national semifinals. SU earned a divisional championship, swept the three major awards of the PSAC West and finished the year with five NFHCA All-Americans.
Shippensburg field hockey has won at least 12 games in each of the 11 seasons under head coach Bertie Landes, who enters 2010 with more career wins than any active coach at the Division II level. In addition to nine consecutive PSAC Tournament appearances and six NCAA tournament appearances over the last seven years, the Lady Raiders have maintained their role among the top teams in the conference and the South region of Division II.
This year, they are hoping to be even better.
Once again, however, Shippensburg will need to account for the loss of an outstanding senior class. Seven seniors: goalkeeper
Amanda Houser, forward
Jamie Doughty, back
Lois Kaschenbach, forward
Laura Wylde, back
Lauren Hollingsworth, back
Kim Tully and midfielder
Mariah Wooters, finished their careers with 67 wins in 89 total games.
But the climate for change has never been more evident in the ever-competitive PSAC, one of the most legitimately competitive leagues in America.
Bloomsburg enters the year without legendary head coach Jan Hutchinson, who retired after the national championships. IUP is re-gearing with Hutchinson’s former assistant, Gary Agard. East Stroudsburg reached the NCAA postseason last year for the first time since 2001. Kutztown and Mercyhurst were also among the Top 10 teams in the nation at season’s end.
The Lady Raiders are ready to take advantage of the opportunity and build off the momentum established by last year’s historic campaign. Shippensburg enters the preseason with valuable veterans and a total of 16 returning players. Three seniors lead the list of returners while 35 players reported to preseason camp to compete for spots on the final roster.
FORWARD
Junior
Kristina Taylor, an NFHCA First Team All-American and the 2009 PSAC Western Division Player of the Year, finished last season ranked second in the nation in goals per game and points per game. After 24 goals and nine assists last season, Taylor is already among the Top 10 goal scorers in school history. Her dynamic presence will bolster the front line.
Senior
Amanda Strous improved her game last year and is primed for a strong season. In 2009, Strous ranked fifth on the team with seven goals and was also third on the team with five assists. She has appeared in 57 games over the course of her career and will be a key figure in the forward rotation this season for Shippensburg.
Junior
Katie Pufnock, the daughter of 1979 national champion Peggy Pribish Pufnock, is a valuable contributor at forward and in the midfield. Pufnock appeared in every game last year and totaled seven goals. She will be a major player this season.
The group of returning sophomores entering camp includes
Emily Kohlbus,
Sam Langone, and
Kerry Senderling. This year’s freshman crop includes
Megan Jett, Lauren Taylor,
Bre White, and
Erica Wiltse. All of these players boast talent and will be vying for roster spots and playing time during the season.
MIDFIELD
The loss of
Mariah Wooters and
Kim Tully will be significant, as the most veteran midfielders remaining on the roster are sophomores. However, Shippensburg will have many candidates to fill the position.
Sophomore
Taylor Jones stepped in for Wooters after her injury in the PSAC playoffs and performed well. Jones scored SU’s only goal in the PSAC championship game and appeared in 11 games overall. She will vie for a starting position this season.
Fellow sophomore
Jamie Levy appeared in 11 games last season and will also be among the crop vying for roster spots, starting nods and playing time this season.
Brittany Jett and
Brynn Seidenstricker will be the primary true freshmen who will be competing for immediate playing time.
DEFENSE
Senior
Kristen Brooks became a steady member of Shippensburg’s back lines last season appearing in 22 games and starting five contests (including the NCAA semifinals against Bloomsburg). Brooks was a regional Second Team All-American and an Elite 88 award winner last season and has solidified a role as a team leader for her solid play.
Fellow senior
Emily Fulton is another cog defensively for Shippensburg and emerged as a major factor last season. Fulton started all 23 games last season and led the team with six defensive saves, several of which came in divisional play. Fulton is an integral member of the back lines and will be a regular this season.
Sophomore
Ashley Taylor may have been the most dynamic player of the bunch. In her first season, Taylor earned NFHCA Second Team All-America honors and was the PSAC Western Division Rookie of the Year for her work in the back. In addition to her shutdown defense, Taylor provided offensive clout on corners, totaling six goals. She also started all 23 games last season and will be a steady figure in back.
Other sophomores from last season,
Amanda Burridge,
Christina Gaudio and
Kayla Harshman had steady debuts last year. The trio will be vying for playing time this season along with several newcomers, including freshmen
Danielle Landis.
GOALKEEPER
Sophomore
Ciarra Delost and junior
Alyssa Stefanadis will be the primary goalkeeping candidates after the departure of last year’s All-American Amanda Houser. DeLost appeared in two games last year and made four saves while Stefanadis came off the bench in five games and made five saves as the primary backup. Freshman
Carenna Neely will also be a candidate for playing time this season.
