2009 Season Preview: Field Hockey Aims to Improve
Despite the loss of five seniors from last year’s squad, the Swarthmore College field hockey team has plenty of reasons to be optimistic heading into the 2009 season. All of the optimism stems from a productive offseason that saw the Garnet develop a dynamic new offensive attack while stressing more emphasis on improving defensive fundamentals. Combine that with a talented class of newcomers, and all the ingredients are in place for the 2009 Garnet field hockey team to rebound from last season’s 5-13 record and compete for a berth in the Centennial Conference championships.
The challenge for second-year coach Lauren Fuchs will be quickly developing team chemistry amongst a squad that will consist of several upperclassmen and many talented freshmen. With the loss of five seniors – including the team’s leading scoring and several key defensive players – veterans will need to step into leadership roles right away while the newcomers will need to contribute from the opening game.
Young is the Garnet's top returning scorer in 2009.
Following a breakout junior season, Joslyn Young ’10 is expected to lead the offensive attack for the Garnet in 2009. Last season, the midfielder finished second on the team in goals (seven) and points (15), highlighted by a career-best four goals against Arcadia. Young will pair up with fellow tri-captain Sophia Ferguson ’10 – who finished third on the team in goals (4), points (11) and assists (3) in 2008 – to lead a newly developed offensive attack that will aim to be more balanced against stingy Centennial Conference defenses.
Senior captain Gina Grubb ’10 and Katie Ashmore ’11 are expected to be the anchors of a Garnet defense that lost several key contributors to graduation. The duo has already stepped up their performance and leadership during offseason workouts, helping the team focus on improving overall defensive skill and increasing the vocal communication on the field.
Off the field, the Garnet will also look to remain one of the most successful athletic programs in the classroom in 2009. Last spring, nine players from the 2008 squad were named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Academic Squad, while the team was honored for earning the highest team grade point average in all of Division III field hockey.