TopOfTheCircle.com
Serving the scholastic field hockey and lacrosse community since 1998Archive for February 3, 2019
Feb. 3, 2019 — NCAA Division III preview
AL’S FEARLESS 5IVE
Gettysburg
Middlebury
College of New Jersey
Salisbury
York
The Gettysburg Bullets won their second straight Division III title last spring, and, while graduating a significant portion of their offense, still brings Steph Colson (50 goals) and Liza Barr (46) to this year’s campaign. Colson and Courtney Patterson combined for nearly 200 draw controls last year, which means that their offense won’t be starved for possessions.
A year ago, the Bullets vanquished Middlebury, which returns all but two of their top scorers. The Panthers are doing to have to find someone on the draw circle to replace the endeavor of Hollis Perticone, who had 150 draw controls a year ago. The key, however, is the goal circle. Middlebury replaced sophomore Julia Keith with junior Kate Furber deep into the NCAA Tournament, and so it will be interesting to see who head coach Kate Livesay goes with this season.
A team which has always been in the mix is the College of New Jersey. But this team could make a deep, deep run in the tournament in an attempt to win its first national lacrosse title in 13 years. The Lions’ top four point-scorers — Olivia Cleale, Kathleen Jaeger, Alexandra Fitzpatrick, and Allie Gorman — return for the Lions. Miranda Chrone will return for her senior season in the goal cage.
If there is a team that could become the danger team, it’s Salisbury. The Gulls are young after having so many senior-laden teams the last decade, and their leading returning scorer, Emma Skoglund, has one career start. The defense for Salisbury is strong, between defenders Anna Wehland, Martha Hutzell, Carrie Hessen and Kendall Bannan. If they can congeal and bring confidence to goalie Skye Graham, watch out.
Another team to keep an eye out for are the York Spartans. Meghan Fox (57 goals) and Regan Cook (40) return, as well as top assister Devin Hursey (32). Nicole Clauter led the team in draw controls a year ago, and she is a defensive menace, helping the Spartans to hold opponents to about 7 1/2 goals a game.
TopOfTheCircle.com 