Rochester, NY (July 29, 2003) -This year's Yellowjackets look to build on the success of last year, after winning 9 of their last 11 games last year and earning a trip to the New York State Championships and finishing the season ranked 7th in the North Atlantic Region, Rochester has every reason to be optimistic. The Yellowjackets are returning 11 players from last year's squad and 6 of those are seniors who will be able to provide the team with quality leadership.

Head Coach Michelle Andre is also back for her second year on the River Campus and is looking to improve on an impressive start to her tenure here at Rochester. The Yellowjackets improved from 7-9 in 2001 to a mark of 12-8 last fall and are looking to better that mark significantly with this years team and incoming freshman class.

Leading the way on offense will be senior Katie Poeth. She returns on attack, where she has been a 2-time All New York state selection, as well as a NFHCA North Atlantic Regional All-American twice, and a 2-time All-UCAA selection. Poeth has led the team in points and goals the past two seasons. Last year, she netted nine goals and set up 10 others.

Joining Poeth on attack are junior Ashley Kahan and sophomore Sally Jensen, who were fourth and fifth in points respectively, with 3 goals and 4 assists for Kahan, and 4 goals for Jensen. Two way player Stephanie Anglade, a junior, will be looking to help the team at one of her two positions, Back, or Forward, or perhaps both this fall after seeing limited action last year.

In the midfield Rochester returns two 20 game starters from last season, Shawnessy Dusseau, and Jenny Knipe. Dusseau was third on the team in points, 4 goals and 2 assists, while Knipe tallied 1 assist. The return of Knipe and Dusseau will give the midfield strong veteran leadership. The Yellowjackets may look to a freshman to step on the field and compete for time at the middle this fall.

The Yellowjacket defense returns intact for the 2003 campaign, complete with 2nd team NFHCA North Atlantic All-Regional selection Erin Charnow. Captain Jessica Cassavaugh, Kelly Melcher, and Kathryn Harvey also return this fall to anchor a defense that posted 8 shutouts and allowed only 28 goals all year. Sophomore back Gina Hoyt is looking to help give last year stellar defense some added depth this fall. After a strong freshman campaign were Hoyt appeared in 10 games and started 2, gaining valuable experience. As will fellow sophomore Rebecca Kanter who appeared in 5 games last fall for the Yellowjackets.

Pamela Sheffield returns in net for the Yellowjackets, bringing three years of experience and senior leadership to the defense to further strengthen an already rugged defense. In 2002 Sheffield started 19 games and posted a record of 12-7 with 1.39 goals against average and made 81 saves.

After last season's strong finish look for Rochester to get off to a hot start. The combination of a strong and experienced veteran corps and a talented freshman class will make the Yellowjackets a difficult team to beat this year. Rochester opens it season with two home games on September 4th against Elmira at 7pm and on the 6th the Yellowjackets face off against Oswego State at 4pm. Both games will be played at Fauver Stadium.