2007 Season In Review

 

Under the direction of first year coach Anna Rogers the Elmira College Field Hockey Team looked to build the program in an extremely competitive conference. The Purple and Gold saw continued improvement throughout the season from its veteran leaders as well as its youth and would end the season with a 4-11 record, with a win coming over conference rival Utica.

This young team looked to its sole fourth year player and Co-captain Shannon Desgrosiellier ’08 (New York Mills, NY -- New York Mills) to lead, and lead she did. Desgrosiellier would end her final season having started all but one game and would tally three goals and one assist. Desgrosiellier would be honored for her accomplishments by being named to the Empire 8 All Conference First Team.

Behind Desgrosiellier were a talented group of third year players including Casey Ross ’09 (Whitney Point, NY -- Whitney Point), Courtney Ellis ’09 (Whitney Point, NY -- Whitney Point) and Maggie Foster ’09 (Schuylerville, NY -- Schuylerville).Ross would lead the team in total points and would tally a game winning goal and an assist in Elmira’s 2-1 victory over Empire 8 opponent Utica and would earn Empire 8 honorable mention accolades.

This years group of second year players would make vast improvements and would play like a group of seasoned veterans’. Off the field they would do whatever it took to improve the Field Hockey program at Elmira. At the forefront of this group were Co-captain and midfielder Jennifer Heydt ’10 (Leesport, PA -- Schuylkill Valley) goaltender Jalene McCulloch ’10 (Belleville, ONT -- Millbrook) and forward Chelsea Jipner ’10 (Bristol, VT-- Mt. Abraham Union).

Heydt would start in all but one game and would lead the purple and Gold’s midfield with fellow classmate Myriah Fitterer ’10 (Ithaca, NY -- Ithaca).McCulloch would anchor the Soaring Eagle defense as a proven stopper in goal. She would end the season as one of the nation’s leaders in saves with a 189. In front of her was the defensive core of Veronica Fernandez ’10 (North Berwick, ME -- Noble), Jessica Kischko ’10 (Springfield, VT -- Springfield), and Sarah Torilli ’10 (Southboro, MA -- Algonquin Regional)

Earning Second Team all Conference honors was Jipner whose confidence and skill proved invaluable to the Soaring Eagles attack. Holding the responsibility of putting up goals were forwards Alyssa Boutin ’10 (Rollinsford, NH -- Somersworth) and Deanna Hanson ’10 (Carmel, NY -- Carmel) who lead the team with five goals on the season.

Completing their first season with the Purple and Gold, were newcomers Morgan Blair ’11 (Hamburg, NY -- Hamburg), Kelsey Burke ’11 (Williamsville, NY -- Williamsville), Ariana Farricielli ’11 (Hamden, CT -- Hamden Hall Country Day), Sharon Johnson ’11 (South Portland, ME -- South Portland), and Caitlin Roman ’11 (Verbank, NY -- Millbrook). This talented group of newcomers proved that they can adjust to the College game and become a foundation for which the program can grow from.

Developing at every position, this years Field Hockey Team has laid the necessary foundation for the development of a successful program. Under the direction of a dedicated coaching staff, along with the combination of experienced youth the future of the Elmira Field Hockey Program looks bright.

The team will lose Desgrosiellier to graduation.