2011 Field Hockey Preview

Second year head coach Cait Connolly will return to the helm of the Lasell College field hockey team this season with hopes of becoming a force in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) in 2011. 

The 2010 campaign concluded with an 8-10 overall record after a difficult 1-5 start to open last season. The Lasers, however, were able to come back strong to claim victory in four out of the last five games of the year with wins over Framingham State, Rivier, Anna Maria, and Easter Connecticut State University.

As a squad, the field hockey team picked up the NFHCA DIII National Academic Team Award which recognizes those institutions that achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 during the first semester of the 2010-2011 academic year. Lasell was also awarded two individual North Atlantic Conference (NAC) All-Conference honors in 2010. Tia Pratt (So. Paris, ME), who scored 12 goals, added seven assists, and earned a team-leading 31 points, was awarded a coveted spot on the first team All-Conference. Her teammate Amanda Gorski (Wethersfield, CT), who was a primary defender for the Lasers, also earned a spot on the first team.

Losing only four senior to graduation last year, the Lasers will return a strong crew of veterans to their 2011 roster.  Senior goal keeper Christine Thornton (Canton, MA) has three solid years of experience between the pipes under her belt. Hannah Cebry (Burlington, CT), who finished second on the team in points with 18 last year, will return as a senior forward.  Junior forward Katelyn Fabri (Fairfield, CT) will also return to the ranks after an 11 point season in 2010.

On defense, the Lasers will seek leadership from Ainsley Wolfe (Derry, NH) who had five defensive saves last season and will be competing as a senior in 2011.

Nine first year athletes and one transfer will be added into the mix for Lasell this season, including Taylor Hulitzky (Medway, MA), Michaela Doughty (Scituate, MA), and Arianna Cote (Westbrook, CT), each of whom earned all-conference honors in their high school careers.

The 2011 field hockey season will open on up Saturday, September 3^rd when the Lasers will travel to WPI for a 1:00 p.m. contest with the Engineers.