Field Hockey
Head Coach: Wendy Andreatta, 11th yr., 139-66
League Affiliation: Liberty League
Liberty League Pre-Season Poll: First
2016 Overall Record: 18-5
2016 Liberty League Record: 4-2 (tied for second pl.)
Post-Season: Sweet 16 Round of NCAA Championships
First Home Game: Vs. Nazareth, Friday, Sept. 1, 1 pm, Fauver Stadium
 
How did your pre-season training go?
We had a very strong preseason this year. We welcomed nine newcomers, and they have integrated very quickly into the fold. Our upperclassmen enjoyed a preseason training trip to Bermuda, where we were able to play three games and train together. Having that extra week of training helped us jump right into a high level of play during preseason.
 
What did you identify as items you wanted to work on in pre-season?
One of our team goals as we concluded our spring semester was to return to preseason training camp with a high level of fitness. We play a fast, up-tempo style, and speed and fitness is critical to our success.  Our entire team successfully completed our fitness testing and we moved right into skill development and spent many sessions during preseason developing our scoring touch and fine-tuning our press and overall structure.
 
You step onto the field after two straight NCAA playoff appearances. Any pressure?
Of course! We have treasured our opportunities to play in the NCAA Tournament. However, we understand that post-season play is never a given and must be earned. We are committed to taking each game on our schedule one at a time, and focusing only on the present. Every Division III team out there has the same goals that we do, and it is essential that we think only about the present, and about winning every moment we can during each game we play.   
 
If the Liberty League pre-season coaches poll is accurate, the league race will be tight all season long, won't it?
The Liberty League is one of the top conferences in the country in field hockey. Every team in our league is competitive and every game is a battle. It is flattering to be considered among the top teams in such a strong conference, but we know that every team in our conference is battling for those all-important conference victories. We are all starting the season on equal footing.
 
What do you like about this team?
This team is a joy to coach. They work hard every minute we are out on the field and have great passion and talent for the game. They set the bar high for themselves and are incredibly self-motivated and want to leave this program better than they found it. Working with such positive and energetic young women is inspiring – I leave each practice energized and excited for the next session.
 
Who are some of the veteran leaders you will count on this year- and why?
Our five seniors are excellent leaders. Captains Olivia Denny and Kiran Sundaram, along with fellow seniors Claire Dickerson, Sam Dow and Gabbie Cantley, have done a tremendous job this preseason. All offer substantial contributions both on and off the field. We also have junior captain, Nancy Bansbach, and her entire junior class who are fantastic student-athletes and role models for our freshmen and sophomores.
 
How are the newcomers fitting in with the system?
We also have nine newcomers who have done a wonderful job acclimating to college field hockey and who bring an infusion of energy, talent and passion to our team. Watching them play in our two scrimmage days, it was hard to distinguish between our newcomers and returning players. They have done a wonderful job and I look forward to watching them grow and develop this season and beyond.

Who are the players to watch?
What I've noticed this season is the wide range of depth and talent we have at every position. We are loaded with experience. We have had a variety of players stepping up and making their presence felt throughout preseason. It will be challenging for me to name a starting lineup for our home opener as we have a wealth of talent in our program.
 
The goal every year is to win the league and gain an NCAA bid. Any immediate goals?
 Our immediate goal is to put all of our hard work during preseason to the test as we host Nazareth College in our home opener on Friday, September 1 at 1:00 p.m. at Fauver Stadium. This game is special, not only as it kicks of our 2017 season, but it also offers us a chance to give back to the Rochester community.
 
Our game on Friday is our annual 'Play for the CURE' game. IN 1976, a group of Rochester parents who lost their children to cancer formed CURE Childhood Cancer Association. CURE is committed to families and children from in and around the Rochester area who are facing the effects of childhood cancer. Both teams will be wearing gold bands in support of CURE, and all spectators will have an opportunity to donate to CURE and receive the same commemorative gold bracelet to show their support for Rochester, Nazareth and CURE.