Field Hockey Looks To Upperclassmen For Leadership In 2014

WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Building off a 14-6 overall record from last season, head coach Amy Cohen's one-game-at-a-time mentality has West Chester University's field hockey squad not looking ahead to any particular team but rather focusing on themselves.
 
"We are the same way every year, and that is one game at a time," Cohen remarked.
 
The Golden Rams are prepared to bounce back with another strong performance this upcoming season, after being selected fourth nationally by the Penn Monto/NFHCA Division II Preseason Poll. West Chester appeared second in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) preseason coaches' poll.
 
This is the third consecutive year that the team graduates five starters, but Cohen showcased little concern on the topic. She enters her fourth season, explaining that the upperclassmen are ready to step into larger roles, so that the team does not have to rely on freshmen.  
 
The team does not replace players, but rebuilds from within the program with 14 returning players whose time is now. Cohen emphasized two strengths of this squad as being their speed, especially up front with the forwards, and maturity on the field.
 
There are four captains being relied upon to provide a successful season and continue that strong work ethic.
 
First captain is senior midfielder Kelsey Cheek (Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest), who is a versatile player with speed and can play all over the field. Senior Hannah Davies (Mountaintop, Pa./Crestwood) is another captain who brings versatility.
 
The other two captains are a pair of juniors in Alexis Versak (Limerick, Pa./Spring-Ford), and Kristina Scherrer (Enola, Pa./Cumberland Valley). Versak is a dynamic right midfielder, who returns in a leadership position, alongside Scherrer, who will take over duties as the striker on penalty corners. She will anchor the defense on the backline as well.
 
This junior class all made great strides as sophomores last season, especially bringing leadership to a relatively young squad.
 
"Our junior class almost views themselves as seniors, and we needed to make sure to have that upperclassman leadership," Cohen stated.
 
In addition to Versak and Scherrer, junior Alayna Brown (Telford, Pa./Souderton) came into her own last season. The returning goal scorer is West Chester's best ball handler that is all finesse and fun to watch. Brown scored 11 goals and posted 25 points last fall.
 
Two other junior midfielders providing leadership are Alexa Moran (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) and Morgan Hagner (Audubon, Pa./Methacton). Both have been in the program for two years and should see their roles increase.
 
Sophomore Dayle Paustian (Martinsville, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) is a midfielder to watch, after suffering an injury early on last season that limited her playing time and stunted her adjustment to the college game. The time missed gave Paustian a chance to learn from watching the games.
 
"Paustian and Cheek are like fire and ice," Cohen stated. "There is a ball handler in one, and the other is extremely fast, So, it has been a fun combination to watch work during the preseason."
 
Providing depth to the midfield/back position are four freshmen, who are eager to get the opportunity to learn and play. Those freshmen are Lauren Measel (Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown East), Morgan Snodgrass (Egg Harbor, N.J./Egg Harbor Township), Marissa Cafone (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex), and Kelly Wolff (Ottsville, Pa./Pennridge.
 
Sophomore center forward Marnie Kusakavitch (Pittston, Pa./Holy Redeemer) is someone Cohen showed much confidence in, after she received playing time as a freshman last year. Expect her number to be called upon as it is her duty to control everything on the press.
 
A deep sophomore class gives Cohen the type of depth that complements their speed, including sophomore forward Alli Morris (Coatesville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) and sophomore transfer Giuliana Antignani (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnett Valley) from Kent State University.
 
In addition to Scherrer, sophomores Caitlin Wood (Plains, Pa./ Coughllin), Allie Malacari (Plains, Pa./Holy Redeemer), and Nikki Bennett (Littlestown, Pa./Gettysburg) all add depth at the backend for the Golden Rams' defense.
 
The combination of experience and youth has given freshman Rachel Toppi (Glassboro, N.J./Glassboro) the opportunity to start up top at forward. Another freshman expected to receive a good amount of time at forward is Mary Spisak (Boiling Springs, Pa./Boiling Springs).
 
Cohen made it evident that the best players will play, allowing the freshmen to receive an opportunity, if they continue to put in the effort.
 
Defensively, sophomores Audree Bonavita (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley) and Sarah Krause (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) return as the goalkeepers for the Golden Rams. Both saw action in their freshman year as they continue to make strides into a pivotal sophomore season. Bonavita will most likely get the first opportunity in the opener by finishing out the last 16 games last season.
 
Getting the opportunity to learn under Bonavita and Krause is freshman Brianna Magner (Egg Harbor, N.J./Egg Harbor Township).
 
Cohen has complete confidence in her 2014 squad that they will continue to develop throughout the season. An addition to the coaching staff was Kelsi Lykens, a two-time NFHCA Division II first-team All American and West Chester's career Division II scoring leader with 95 points.
 
The Golden Rams open their 2014 season Friday afternoon at Vonnie Gros Field against Bentley University at 4 p.m.