2013 Field Hockey Preview

AURORA, N.Y. - The Wells College field hockey team may field its most talented roster in program history in 2013, the 39th year of organized field hockey in Aurora. In 2012, the Express posted a 4-10 overall record and saw the emergence of numerous talented underclassmen that hope to power the 2013 squad to an even greater level of success.

In 2012, the Express scored 13 goals and 11 assists for 37 points (13-11=37), the second-highest amount of goals scored in one season since the 2002 season. Rising sophomore Courtney Bastian (West Winfield, N.Y.) tallied 15 points for the Express in her first year, the sixth-highest single season point total in the modern-day NCAA Division III era at Wells College.

First year Head Coach Kylie Hrehor, a 2010 graduate of SUNY Cortland, takes the reins of the field hockey team a year removed from assisting the field hockey team at Ithaca College. Prior to joining the Bombers in 2012, Hrehor was the Head Coach of the field hockey program at Trine University in Angola, Ind.

"The level of excitement shown by our players is very positive," said Hrehor, who served as the top assistant at Ithaca College in 2012. "Their excitement, in turn, gets me more excited. They are working hard and they are also clicking as a team on and off of the field."

Senior Avary McKinney (Rochester, N.Y.) and junior Marina Fargnoli (Apalachin, N.Y.) will serve as captains for Hrehor in 2013. McKinney and Fargnoli each played in 14 games last season for Wells, not missing a single game. Last year, McKinney tallied a goal and two assists for four points (1-2=4) while Fargnoli racked up five points via two goals and an assist (2-1=5).

"From day one, Avary and Marina stepped up to the plate without being asked and have led the team," remarked Hrehor when pressed for her thoughts on team leadership. "They have taken the freshmen under their wings. They are very vocal, but also lead by example."

Seven sophomores comprise the roster for the field hockey team, including Bastian who converted 60% of her shots for goals as a rookie. She also became only the third rookie in program history to record 15 or more points in a season. Bastian is joined by classmates Amber Jordan (Auburn, N.Y.), Lexie Roberson (Winston-Salem, N.C.), Cat Taylor (Jackson, N.J.), Shelby Bourn (Sidney, N.Y.) and Chandler Fitzgerald (Weedsport, N.Y.).

Jordan recorded her first collegiate goal against Bay Path on Sept. 1 of last season en route to a 2-0 victory while Roberson posted an assist against the same opponent. Roberson, Taylor, Bourn and Fitzgerald each saw action in 14 games while on defense, Bourn recorded two defensive saves for the Express to lead the team in that category.

Sophomore Alaina Kelahan (New Woodstock, N.Y.) will join freshmen Lexi Cohen (Newtown, Pa.), Shianne Stokes (Mays Landing, N.J.), Courtney Pitcher (Verona, N.Y.) and Sydney Line (Northport, N.Y.) as newcomers to the roster. Kelahan, a member of the women's lacrosse team at Wells, has experience playing for Coach Hrehor while Stokes was named "Most Valuable Player" of her high school team. Line earned an All-County Award for field hockey at Northport and Cohen was a two-sport athlete for Council Rock North High School.

"The freshman class is a very talented group that came in ready to work," said Hrehor. "They are certainly challenging the upperclassmen at every practice."

After opening their season against Ithaca on Friday, Aug. 30, the Wells College field hockey team hosts the Mustangs of Morrisville State College in a 1:00 p.m. contest on Saturday, Aug. 31 at AA Field. Stay up to date with the latest news directly from the Wells College athletic department by "liking" us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/WellsExpress) and subscribing to our Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/WellsExpress).