Aug. 12, 2010
Video: Coach Starr talks about the first day of practice
Meet the Newcomers
2010 Schedule
The Boston University field hockey team began preparations for the 2010 season on Thursday with its first day of practice. Now in her 30th season at the helm of the BU program, head coach Sally Starr and her staff welcomed 18 players back to campus in addition to seven newcomers.
After holding the first team meeting of the season on Wednesday and taking part in annual fitness testing and team pictures, the Terriers had a pair of practices on Thursday.
The Terriers are coming off a 2009 season in which they claimed their fourth America East title in the last five years. Senior Allie Dolce, the 2009 America East Midfielder of the Year, will serve as this year's captain, while classmates Maryette Stuart and Amanda Smith will be vice captains.
Before opening the regular season on Aug. 28, the Terriers will compete in a pair of scrimmages, beginning with a match-up at home against Colgate on Aug. 21.
* Thirteen letter winners, including nine starters, return from last year's squad, which led BU to its fourth America East title in the last five years.
* The Terriers return their top three scorers, including senior Allie Dolce, who scored a team-best 28 points last fall on eight goals and 12 assists en route to America East Midfielder of the Year honors.
* BU's top two goal scorers from a year ago were rookies from New Zealand, as Nicole van Oosterom tallied 10 goals and Jacinda McLeod added nine. McLeod, a defender, became the fifth Terrier freshman in the last six years to earn America East Rookie of the Year honors.
* Dolce will head up the strikers in 2010 with senior Maryette Stuart and van Oosterom leading the way in the midfield.
* The team's backs are a strength heading into the fall as McLeod, junior Kate Murphy and sophomores Rachael White and Kiley Allosso look to become a tough wall for opposing offenses.
* Senior Amanda Smith enters her second year as the Terriers' primary goalkeeper after starting all 22 games last season and posting a 1.90 goals-against average.
* The Terriers welcome seven newcomers for the 2010 season and that group represents four states and three foreign countries (Australia, Chile, The Netherlands).
* Dolce will be the Terriers' captain in 2010 with Smith and Stuart serving as vice captains. All three are fifth-year seniors.
