Field hockey started the 2007 season off strongly, going 2-1 in their first three away games. Rochester trounced Elmira and Houghton Colleges, while losing to No. 4 SUNY Cortland.
On Saturday, UR grounded the Elmira Soaring Eagles for a 5-1 victory. Sophomore Amanda Case opened the scoring at 15:20, assisted by fellow sophomore Lindsay Bronnenkant. Case netted another goal at 26:10, unassisted. Case returned the favor to Bronnenkant at 31:17, assisting her on UR’s third goal in the half. At 50:54, sophomore Valerie Lazickas, assisted by Case, continued to put the pressure on Elmira, scoring the fourth goal for the ‘Jackets. Sophomore Lara Bucarey capitalized on the fifth and final goal 60:26 into the match for the Yellowjackets. Case figured in four of the five goals for UR. She also led the team with 23 shots on goal. Bronnenkant, Bucarey and senior Alicia Citro each had five shots on goal in the game. UR outshot Elmira 52-12 and held the advantage in penalty corners 12-4. In goal, senior and co-captain Rachel Cahan played the first 51:53, making six saves and allowing only one goal. Cahan gave way to fellow senior Robin Levy, who took control of the net for the final 18:07 without needing to make a save.
On Wednesday, Sept. 5, UR was shut out 4-0 by the No. 4 ranked SUNY Cortland Dragons. The ‘Jackets were held to only three shots on goal, while Cortland had 20. Cortland led in penalty corners, 13-3. Cahan gave up four goals and made 10 saves. In addition, Citro had two defensive saves.
The Yellowjackets showed their strength in the season opener, downing the Houghton College Highlanders 3-1 on Sept. 3. After an evenly matched first half, UR gained a quickening victory in the second half, scoring three times. Bucarey put the ‘Jackets on the board at 38:45, assisted by Lazickas. Lazickas built onto the lead with the help of Case, sending the second goal through the pipes at 44:15. Bucarey scored her second goal of the game at 47:28 to make the score 3-0. Houghton scored its only goal of the game on a penalty stroke, sending the ball out of the reach of Cahan. The ‘Jackets outshot Houghton 12-11, but Houghton had 11 penalty corners to UR’s eight. Cahan made four saves in the cage.
On Monday, Case was named Liberty League Co-Offensive Performer for the Week of Sept. 10. Case earned the honor after scoring two goals and helping to create three other scoring opportunities in the first three games of the season to give ‘Jackets their winning record. In the 3-1 win against Houghton College, she had one assist. On Saturday’s 5-1 clipping of Elmira, she put two in the cage and had two assists.
Wendy Andreatta takes the reins as head coach for field hockey after Michelle Andre resigned to enter private business. She brings 14 years of coaching experience to UR, many of which were spent at Division I schools including University of Connecticut, Syracuse University, Hofstra University and Columbia University.
“Wendy is bringing a new outlook to our game,” co-captain Alicia Citro said. “Her knowledge and skill of the game is helping to improve our offense and increase our scoring. She is extremely positive and always willing to help out each individual player in any way.”
This is a field hockey team in transition with many new starting members.
“As a team we’re ready to rise to the challenge of continuing and improving upon our foundation. We might be a little inexperienced on the whole, but we’re filled with lots of enthusiasm and energy,” Cahan said. “Everyone is ready and eager to step into the starting spots and doing a great job at it.”
Cahan is excited with the way the team is taking shape. “The team is developing exponentially. We came into preseason with lots of talent, and we’ve progressed continuously since then as we work together on the field. We look better everyday.”
The team plays Utica College away on Friday at 6 p.m.
Levy is a member of the class of 2008.
