After last year’s heartbreaking strokeoff loss to Michigan State in a game that would have sent them to the NCAA’s Final Four, the field hockey program has high hopes entering 2003 – including goals of reaching the Final Four and becoming national champions, according to coach Cheryl Murtagh.
“I think that [Michigan State] does gives us extra motivation,” said Murtagh, entering her 16th year at the helm. “Now when we practice strokes they’ll know I’m doing it for a reason. That was a deciding factor in that game.”
That’s not to take away the fine accomplishments they posted last season. On their way to an 18-5 season (4-1 America East), NU’s only losses were to national powers (Duke, Michigan, Connecticut, Michigan State) with three of those defeats coming in overtime. The Huskies also rolled through the AE tournament, refusing to allow a goal while putting up nine of their own. Oh, and then there’s the two All-American’s Huntington Avenue boasted in Sarah Broderick and Fior Arrindell.
“I think they’re more comfortable now,” Murtagh said. “We know we can play with anyone nationally now. We gained a lot of respect last year, now no one can overlook us which I think happened last year.”
Both Broderick and Arrindell were lost to graduation, while Murtagh also has to cope with the departure of Emily Roy, who started 22 of NU’s 23 games. If Murtagh and the team hope to achieve their goals for the upcoming year (final four berth, national championship), they’ll have to replace a strong group of leaders.
“That’s a tough class to lose,” Murtagh said. “Anytime you lose six seniors you have to ask the younger players to do more, but we had some great underclassmen and five redshirted freshmen that are now ready to play.”
Murtagh sees this year’s seniors as more than ready to take the leadership limelight.
“The junior class last year had a pretty good voice on the team,” she said. “I think Sara Webber and Leigh Shea will contribute there.”
All was not lost, however. The team returns leading scorers Liane Dixon (37 points) and Mari Creatini (36) as well as fifth leading point-getter Sara Webber (22).
Murtagh also welcomes a banner list of recruits, among them are three 2002 National Field Hockey Coaches Association Northeast All-Region team members and four all-state selections.
One recruit, Jennifer Blewett, is attending the U.S. Field Hockey Association’s National B camp at Penn State University with teammate Jay Quinn. If all goes well, Blewett and Quinn could move on to the ‘A’ camp in February, where the U.S. 19-and-younger and the 21-and-younger teams are chosen.
“Now we’re getting more kids than we wanted. We have more choice now with who we take,” Murtagh said. “We’re not getting any bad kids. Field hockey is very big around here, and now kids are finding out that you don’t have to go to Wake Forest or Duke to play on a top team.
“The campus has been incredible,” she added. “To see a nice city campus with plenty to do, adds to what we offer.”
Murtagh is more than ready for practice to begin in August.
“I’m very excited,” she said. “Last year I felt good about the kind of field hockey we played. This team has the same kind of potential as last year’s.”
