Evidenced by its 12 straight winning seasons, five NCAA appearances, and five America East regular-season titles, the Boston University field hockey program has come to expect success year in and year out. Last season, the Terriers had eight newcomers and several other players seeing their first real game action. Although the team finished with a 12-8 record, a final number-12 national ranking, and earned its eighth consecutive berth to the America East Championships, it didn't get to the promised land called the NCAA Tournament. In head coach Sally Starr's view, the 1998 squad didn't really have a personality.
As Starr looks at the 1999 season, her 19th in charge of the Terrier program, she and her team will take a different approach as 17 letterwinners return to action.
"This season, our focus will be on the process," Starr said.
"The process of performing to our highest level, competing both mentally and physically everyday, having a team and family mentality, while enjoying and playing the game with a sense of passion.
"I always want to compete for conference and national championships," Starr said. "But, I know our players have a lot of confidence in themselves and in each other.
"We are athletic, skilled, fit, explosive, and fast," Starr added. "But, our focus this season will be in improving how hockey-smart we are, concentrating on our game and tactical senses."
B.U. will utilize an aggressive, attacking offensive system in 1999. With considerable depth and talent evident on the roster, every Terrier will be expected to contribute on both sides of the pitch.
"Every player on the field must be a goal scorer," Starr said. With that premise in mind, seven of the Terriers' top eight goal-scorers from 1998 are back.
The Field Personnel...
Leading the way is senior All-America midfielder Jessica Alcorta, one of the most versatile players in the country.
Third on the team in scoring a year ago, Alcorta (24 points) finished tied for eighth in the nation with 18 assists and earned National Field Hockey Coaches Association Third Team All-America honors as well as First Team America East and Northeast Regional accolades.
Senior forwards Tina McDavitt (30 points) and Danielle DeCoste (29 points) return after finishing first and second, respectively, in scoring in 1998.
A solid player with a strong shot, McDavitt scored a team-high 12 goals last year, including multiple-goal efforts in back-to-back wins over nationally-ranked Connecticut and Delaware. McDavitt will also serve as one of the team's co-captains in 1999. A 1998 Second Team All-America East selection, DeCoste (11 goals) is a solid finisher who causes havoc for opponents around the cage with her quickness.
Junior forward Kate Cusick is coming off a fine sophomore campaign that saw her finish third on the team in scoring with 26 points. Cusick and senior midfielder Jaclyn Mele are both experienced offensive players who can finish around the cage. Mele, who enters her final collegiate season ninth on the B.U. career assists list with 22, is also one of the team's top defensive markers.
Sophomore Felicia Cappabianca came on strong in her first collegiate season and provides the squad with good defensive skills from her forward position. Junior Kelly Clothier and sophomore Suzanne Carlson also have gained game-experience, and will compete for minutes in 1999.
Newcomers Jane Rogers (a transfer from crosstown-rival Northeastern), Christina Strauss, Angela Jamieson, and Rachel Simmons also add depth to the forward/midfield spots. All four players will have the opportunity to see time as they acclimate themselves to the collegiate game.
Junior All-America candidate Robyn Kenney will control the midfield area for the Terriers along with sophomore Kerry Carney, who was a big contributor as a freshman.
Kenney has great field vision and passing skills, and possesses a strong shot. During the off-season, Kenney competed with the U.S. Under-20 National Team in a series of summer tournaments in preparation for the 2000 World Cup.
Leading the defense will be senior co-captain Samantha Stuart. Stuart is a steady player with great communication skills on the field. She also possesses a hard shot, as she contributed a career-high five goals off corners last season. Junior Kate Conover earned the team's Most Improved Player Award for 1998, and brings great footwork and fundamentals to the defensive unit. Sophomores Rachael Stillings and Casey Holman add depth to the position and will compete for starting positions.
In Goal...
According to Starr, the Terriers have a very healthy situation in goal for the 1999 season.
Senior Noreen Flanagan has played every minute of every game for the past three seasons, and provides great experience and leadership in the cage.
In 1999, Flanagan will compete for the starting position with two sophomores, Susan Harrington and Donna Wilkinson. Though both did not see any game-action during the 1998 season, Harrington and Wilkinson each made tremendous strides during the off-season and in spring practice.
"It (the goalkeeping position) is as healthy as it can be," Starr said. "All three goalkeepers are capable of starting. But, most importantly, all three support and push each other."
The 1999 Schedule...
The Terriers will embark on another challenging schedule in their pursuit of their sixth NCAA Tournament berth. B.U. will face eight teams that made it to the 1998 NCAA Tournament, including three - defending national champion Old Dominion, Princeton, and Connecticut - that comprised the Final Four.
"We have an excellent schedule," Starr said. "Strength of schedule is critical for post-season hopes, and ours clearly reflects that."
The Terriers start their 1999 slate in the San Francisco-area with contests at rapidly-improving California and Stanford. The following weekend, the team travels to Amherst, MA to play a neutral-site contest against ACC-power Maryland, a team that narrowly defeated the Terriers in overtime last season.
B.U.'s home opener is September 15 against Commonwealth Avenue-rival Boston College. The Terriers will then open America East play at Maine on September 18, starting a four-game string against conference opponents.
A non-conference game at Old Dominion begins a busy month of October that will see the Terriers play 12 games. An important stretch with games against perennial national contenders Northeastern, Princeton, Connecticut, and Wake Forest concludes the regular-season.
For the first time in the 11 years America East has sponsored field hockey, the post-season tournament, which will be held during the first weekend of November, will be played on the field of the regular-season champion.
"It is a great reward, " Starr said. "If you come in first, you host. If we can focus on the process, perform consistently, and take care of business, we can put ourselves in good position."
