Easton, Mass. - Just a quick glance at the record book tells you that the group that comprises the 2007 team could be the most talented unit ever at assembled in the 12-year history of the program. That's saying something when you consider that the 2005 edition set a school record in wins (19), set a school mark for consecutive wins (15), made it to the national semifinals, won the Northeast-10 post season championship and scored a school-record 68 goals in the process.
The 2006 version, meanwhile, returned to the NCAA tournament after posting the second-most wins in school history (17), won its first regular season Conference title and reeled of its own impressive winning streak (10).
However, with the school's all-time scoring leader and perhaps the most clutch performer in school history back for their senior seasons, not to mention a goalkeeper who has 23 shutouts and 1.17 career goals against average, all the pieces seem to be in place for special season when it comes to this edition of Stonehill field hockey.
Already the defending regular season champions in arguably the toughest Conference in the country, the Skyhawks return six of their top seven scorers and a host of defenders who helped the Skyhawks finish fourth in the nation in goals against average (1.20). Add to that a talented group of newcomers and the winningest coach in program history in Pam Arpe, and it looks as if the Skyhawks are poised for a season for the record books.
Seniors
Headlining the experience-laden Stonehill squad is the high-scoring duo of seniors Caitlin Gleason (New Boston, N.H.) and Aly Boulis (Lincoln, R.I.). They combined for 26 goals a season ago and hold five of the top ten spots on the school's single season goals list. Gleason, who is the school's all-time scoring leader with 104 points, comes off of a decorated junior campaign that saw her receive First-team NFHCA All-America honors, be selected as a First-team ECAC All-Star, and named First-team Northeast-10 Conference. She holds several school records including goals in a game (4), points in a game (10), goals in a season (17), goals in a career (43) and points in a season (39).
Boulis, meanwhile, has had quite a career thus far as well. She sits fourth on the all-time scoring list with 67 points and is second in career goals (29). Boulis makes her presence felt when it counts the most, having scored nine game-winning goals in her career. She scored the game-winner in sudden death to clinch the 2005 NE-10 Conference Championship. She then secured the lone goal in the program's first NCAA Tournament win, a 1-0 decision over Bentley. She then took down the Falcons single-handedly last season scoring both goals in a 2-0 regular season win.
For the past three years, senior Dani Ryder (Gloucester, Mass.) has been a fixture between the pipes for a consistently stingy Skyhawk defense. That doesn't look to change in 2007, after a NE-10 second-team nod a season ago that saw her play every minute of the Stonehill season in goal. Ryder posted nine shutouts in 2006, including back-to-back shutouts on three separate occasions. Ryder's game experience will be key as well, after having appeared in 65 contests, including numerous high pressure moments in the NCAA Tournament.
Senior Kara Brady (Eastham, Mass.) saw action in 21 games and chipped with 12 points, while classmates Colleen McLaughlin (Methuen, Mass.), Brittany Dibble (Troy, N.Y.) and Morgan Davis (Walpole, Mass.) are key cogs in the midfield and forward positions. Dibble, who will serve as one of the captains, has seen action in all 44 games over the past two seasons. McLaughlin, who had five goals as a sophomore, can provide an added scoring punch if needed, while Davis helps solidify the positions.
Ashley Freeman (White River Jct., Vt.), another captain for the upcoming season, was named second-team NE-10, after starting all 22 contests and a 10-point season that saw her finish fourth on the team in assists with six.
Juniors
After receiving the 2005 Northeast-10 Rookie of the Year Award, there was no sophomore slump for junior Kerri Sullivan (Goffstown, N.H.). She helped anchor a stout defense and posted 21 points from her back position, including recording seven assists, good for second on the team.
Laura Nimon (Gardiner, Maine) started seven games and appeared in 19, provided some additional scoring, chipping in with two goals as a sophomore.
Sophomores
Jackie Ladino (North Dartmouth, Mass.) served as an exceptional playmaker for the Skyhawks in her inaugural season, finishing with 10 assists, which tied for the most in the nation among freshmen. Classmate Claire Hourihan (East Amherst, N.Y.) looks to continue her solid play from a freshman season that saw her finish with six assists, including one in the NCAA Tournament loss to Bentley.
Fellow sophomore Stephanie Kott (Rutland, Mass.) is one of the most seasoned sophomores after a freshman season that saw her make 15 starts at back, fortifying an already strong position for the Skyhawks.
Ashley March (Schwenksville, Pa.) made four starts in her freshman season and appeared in 15 games.
Freshmen
Seven newcomers fill out the roster for the Skyhawks, including Lauren Gifford, who along with Gleason and Sullivan, all hail from the same Goffstown (N.H.) High program.
Joining Gifford is goalkeeper Courtney Osier (South Dennis, Mass.), a Boston Herald All-Scholastic selection, and the only other keeper on the roster. The other freshmen include Michaela Deasy (North Falmouth, Mass.), Courtney Foley (Wakefield, Mass.), Laura Noce (Sudbury, Mass.), Lindsey Pinkham (Skowhegan, Maine) and Amber Travers (Hopkinton, N.H.).
Schedule
The Skyhawks jump right into the fray with a season-opening three game road trip that includes a non-Conference matchup on the road at East Stroudsburg, a team that hasn't had a losing season since 1986, and a journey to open Conference play against St. Michael's.
Road tilts at NE-10 rivals, Bentley and UMass-Lowell always loom large; especially with the fact the lone game with the Falcons is a night showdown in Waltham.
Stonehill opens its 2007 season on Sat., August 25 at East Stroudsburg.
