Commonwealth Conference Field Hockey
August 26, 2008
Lebanon Valley Favored in Commonwealth Conference Field Hockey Preseason Poll
ANNVILLE, Pa. – Lebanon Valley College has been chosen as the favorite to win the Commonwealth Conference crown during the 2008 field hockey season by the conference coaches in the annual preseason poll. The Flying Dutchmen (21-2, 4-0) received 29 points in addition to three first place votes.
Regional Coach of the Year and Conference Coach of the Year, Laurel Martin and her squad are coming off an impressive season after setting a program record for wins, but their dreams of an NCAA Championship came to an end as Bowdoin topped the Dutchmen, 1-0 in the NCAA semifinal game. Lebanon Valley was making their fourth NCAA semifinal appearance overall, following runs in 1996, 1997, and 2006. Heading into the conference championship game as the number one seed, the Dutchmen lost to Messiah 3-1. That was the first loss of the season after a program record 19 straight wins. Returning to challenge again for the title, Rookie of the Year Shelly Lobach (10 goals, 8 assists) will be called up to put up big numbers again. In addition, all- conference players Alex Wolfe (17 goals, 13 assists), Caitlin Baro (5 shutouts), Avery Carter (3 goals, 10 assists), Amber Corcoran, and Nicole Bomberger (9 goals, 6 assists) will also be looked upon for leadership.
Messiah (14-5, 3-1) ties for second in the poll with 25 points and two first place votes.
Messiah scored three unanswered goals in the championship game as they defeated LVC 3-1. Breaking open a 1-1 tie late in the second half, Messiah forwards took control of the game scoring late. Winning the conference earned the Falcons the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, where they advanced to the second round before falling to Middlebury 4-3 in overtime to close out their season.
Set to defend their conference championship, senior Beth Sandowich (3 goals, 2 assists) and junior Emily Sauder (1 goal, 4 assists) were named first team all-conference while juniors Katie Love (6 goals, 7 assists) and Ashley Mowery (.792 save %) earned second team recognition.
Elizabethtown (11-8, 2-2) also finds themselves in second place in the poll with 23 points and one first place vote.
The Blue Jays came up short in the conference semi finals after Messiah rallied in overtime for a 4-3 win to end their season. Elizabethtown will return their three leading scores from a year ago in Megan Angstadt (12 goals, 10 assists), Brenna Noon (9 goals, 2 assists) and Andrea Miles (6 goals, 4 assists). Only losing two seniors to graduation, the Blue Jays have their entire team back and will make a push for the conference crown.
Widener (12-5, 1-3) comes in fourth place with 20 points.
After barely missing out on conference play last season, the Pride hopes to crack into post season play.
Senior Erica Rose (9 goals, 5 assists) is set to return for Widener.
Albright (7-11, 0-4) earns a fifth place mark in the poll while receiving 15 points.
Under the direction of first year head coach Becki Fidler, she will look to turn the Lions team around.
Second team all-conference player Emily Hutchinson will help guide Albright’s team.
Arcadia (5-12, 0-6) places sixth in the poll with 11 points.
Making the transition to the Commonwealth side, Arcadia will look to have more success.
Senior forward Beth Harris who made second team all-conference is the lone Arcadia selection with a team leading 20 points in the Knights first season under head coach Colleen Carney.
Commonwealth Conference Field Hockey Preseason Poll
1. Lebanon Valley 29 points (3)
2t. Messiah 25 points (2)
2t. Elizabethtown 25 points (1)
4. Widener 20 points
5. Albright 15 points
6. Arcadia 11 points
( ) first place votes in parentheses