2012 Field Hockey Season Preview

AURORA, N.Y. – The Wells College field hockey team opens play Friday, Aug. 31 as they travel to face the Bombers of Ithaca College. Between now and then, the team will be practicing with the goal of building upon the team's successes accumulated over the prior three seasons. Following their 2009 season in which they posted their lone victory against Rosemont College, they have steadily increased their win total each consecutive year, culminating in a 5-9-1 record last season.

Head Coach Mike O'Brien, in his first season with the field hockey squad, will be joined by Elisabeth Rollo '12 who graduated last season after a four-year playing career with the Express. In 2011, the Express posted a 5-3 record at home and will attempt to continue their winning ways in road contests across their schedule. Led by experienced senior captains Madeline Bass (Lemon Grove, Calif.), Emily Gottshall (Coatesville, Pa.) and Shelby Moszkowicz (Rochester, N.Y.), they will look to continue the program's upward trend in the standings.

FORWARDS

Four different players are listed as forwards on the roster for the Express, including Gottshall who made 14 appearances for the team last season. Junior Avary McKinney (Rochester, N.Y.) ranked second on the team in goals last season, scoring four goals including a game-winning tally against Baypath on Sept. 17. Freshman Courtney Bastian (West Winfield, N.Y.) and newcomer Valencia Chavez (Lakeside, Calif.) boast strong field hockey backgrounds, with both earning All-League honors in the sport during their high school careers.

MIDFIELDERS

Moszkowicz and freshman Lexie Roberson (Winston-Salem, N.C.) will solidify the team up the middle, as Moszkowicz tallied two goals and three assists last season as a junior. Roberson served as a team captain for the Titans of West Forsyth High School and was selected to the All-Conference team.

DEFENSE AND GOALTENDING

Coach O'Brien will look to utilize his depth in the backfield throughout the season as six different players are listed as defenders on the roster. Bass has played at various positions throughout her collegiate career, including a stint as a goaltender during her freshman and sophomore seasons, and can be utilized all over the field. Sophomore Marina Fargnoli (Apalachin, N.Y.) chipped in two assists last year as a freshman and is only one season removed from earning Second Team All-Conference placement as a high schooler.

Freshman Cat Taylor (Jackson, N.J.) will also add depth on defense, having played in several field hockey tournaments throughout the country, including the National Field Hockey Festival in Phoenix and the Disney Tournament in Orlando, Fla. Kylie Nishioka (Encinitas, Calif.) earned placement on the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic teams for both softball and field hockey while playing four different sports at San Dieguito Academy.

Freshmen Shelby Bourn (Sidney, N.Y.), Amber Jordan (Auburn, N.Y.) and Chandler Fitzgerald (Weedsport, N.Y.) were multiple sport athletes in high school and will bring their athleticism to the field this fall.

Freshman netminder Cassi Greene (Martville, N.Y.) will serve as the primary netminder for the Express, with Nishioka also acting as a reserve goaltender for the team. Greene, a four-sport athlete at Cato-Meridian High School, earned All-League honors in both discus and shot for the Blue Devils.

For the latest news regarding the field hockey program at Wells College, bookmark the team's home page by using the following link: http://www.wells-express.com/sports/fh/index.

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