End of Season, Part 1

Spring Season 2010 – Week 4

The last day of practice was relaxed but productive as we prepared for the spring tournament at Western Connecticut. We had split into our two teams for a scrimmage the night before, and did so again on Friday to practice offensive and defensive corners. We also did my favorite thing, take strokes on the goalies! There’s something about being able to fake out a goalie and get the ball in the cage that makes it so much fun. The smack talk between us field players and the goalies probably has something to do with it too - no wagers this time. We then had a quick meeting after practice to wrap things up. I can't believe how quickly spring season went by - definitely bittersweet, but we were all pretty excited, or as we like to put it, “ready to rage” for Sunday!

Sunday morning we all woke up early to get breakfast and were ready to leave by 7:30 am. It was raining and cold but as Ducks do, we adjusted to the weather, because after all, Ducks love when it's wet! Following a quiet bus ride, we arrived at Western Connecticut, gathered our things and got ready to play. Midgey’s team (Stevens 1) played first, while my team (Stevens 2) rooted them on. They played well, but unfortunately lost that game on account of undeclared field markings. Whatever. That would be their only loss in pool play on the day. Stevens 1 went on to defeat an alumni team and Ramapo to win their pool and earn the #2 seed in the tournament. In the last game, the girls rallied for the win in a last minute scoring rampage, including an awesome reverse chip shot from Jill! It was pretty sweet!

Jess’s team, Stevens 2, went into the first game against the West Conn Alumni and won the game by a large margin - Lauren had 3 goals! We went undefeated in pool play, earning the #1 seed of the tournament. A quick intermission happened between games and my team played first in the 1v4 game against Southern Connecticut, who we had previously beaten in pool play. Despite being tired, we played well, but lost 3-1. Midgey’s team played next in the 2v3 game and played a great game but also unfortunately came out on the losing side too. Kudos to the other team's goalie for saving some sick shot. This meant that both teams were done (single game elimination crossover) but everyone had fun and got a ton of playing time. We improved throughout the day and you could see the work we've done over the past month has really been paying off!

The bus ride home for me was the realization that season was over until August. We all had improved so much and played so well, it made going to practice each day fun and interesting to see everyone's growth. All the fitness sessions with Meris suddenly didn’t seem so bad. As I’m sitting here writing this, it’s weird to think I don’t have to prepare for practice soon. I got back into the groove of season so much that I woke up on Monday morning at 6:15am, got dressed for practice... then realized I didn’t have practice. Weird. I wonder how many other teammates did the same thing. I'm excited for next season, so I say, bring it on!

<3 Meghan Broderick (Sophomore)

Spreading the Love

Spring Season 2010 – Week 3

Not only do we like to kick butt on the field hockey field, we also like to give back to the community we live in. We have a bunch of great activities planned and last Friday we went to a local soup kitchen in Hoboken. It was a great bonding experience for the entire team! Some girls were stuffing envelopes while others were neatly placing clothes on tables and serving food. But I’m almost positive everyone was singing along to the sweet jams in the background, especially Love Train. “People all over the world, join hands, start a love train.”

The next day we helped the Athletics staff by table sitting for the Stevens Men’s Lacrosse game. It was a great game versus RIT - A nail biter right until the end. Even though we lost, the ducks gave it all they had. Keep your head up guys and get ‘em next time!
It was a delight to see the incoming freshmen on Sunday for the President’s Tea - 13 showed up!! The current team made sure to get together, so we could all meet up with the recruits we hosted this past fall and winter, even spring. I can’t wait to see what they bring to the table next year. We are a great looking group of girls and we can only keep getting better.

Until next time, remember to spread the love! Join hands and start a love train.
- Nicole Pfeil

Alumni Game 4.16.10

Oldie But a Goodie [taken in Fall 2005]

This past Friday was our first legitimate Alumni scrimmage in program history. We were joined by Missy Scott & Cat (Titus) Freeman from the class of 2007, and Beth Rychcik (class of 2008) – all members of the original team back in 2004! Cat even brought her 6 month old daughter, Claire … definitely the cutest baby I have ever seen. For Real. Ever! Can’t say no to those baby blues.

Our more recent alumni representatives included Megan Clifford, Jessie Ablonczy & Erin Broderick - from this year’s team, and Myself (Midge), Kerri, Casey & Hillary - from the ’08 team. Elena Vazquez drove out from Reading, PA to play in addition to Steph Varjan, Allison “Worm” Basile, Lauren “Gutz” and Katie “Mo”schel also joining in on the fun. Between the lot of us, there was plenty of smack talk circulating … regardless of the results we were bound to have some laughs – too bad Ellyn & Worm were put on the same team.

The game was initially delayed due to thunder during our handball warm-up, so we had Alison, our trainer, stalk the radar until we got an open window to play. In the meanwhile we shared stories from the “early days” of Stevens Field Hockey. Some of my more fond memories included recounting our Moravian game, Missy’s list of team goals from 2004 (how many times can we get the ball over the 50, not to get scored on in the double digets, etc), and Hillary’s rage game – which she may or may not remember. I also organized a Who’s Who list, where the answers to most questions were different Alum’s names. This was meant to encourage current players to meet alumni, have them help figure out answers, and trigger reminiscence.

When we finally got outside, it was chilly and rainy, but once we got running you couldn’t feel it. In the first half teams were mixed and white was up 3-0 at half – sweet goals Bill! Go White! Then the alumni challenged the currents … didn’t work out as well as we planned, but I can’t complain, it was a good time. I think the girls had a good showing – really impressive to see what a few years has done! Currents came up with the ‘W’ but the alumni got to go out afterward, so everyone came out a ‘winner’ on the night.

Can’t wait for next year! Alums are coming back strong!!

<3 Midge

Is it really Half-way over?

Spring Season 2010– Week 2

As spring season flies by we approach our tournament- it’s bittersweet. Today one teammate even said, “Wow, we’re in our third week already?!” Time has truly flown by. Each week our skills increase and bonds grow stronger. We have moved past practicing basics to incorporating more advanced skills.

Practices, whether at 7am or 8 at night, are always eventful. Last week coach was sick (hope you’re feeling better Jess), and thankfully our volunteers & Midge ran practice. The drills were so fun and different from what we are used to – nice ideas Daniel! It was a great experience to practice our skills in new ways. Our volunteers are constantly helping the team (Thanks guys!); they teach us new tricks and help perfect our old ones. We’re a lucky bunch – love our volunteers! As the weeks have gone by I have noticed each person improving, our hits are hard and low, our zone is getting stronger each day, and each player is becoming more versatile. Like our new mission says, “We play to win through our dedication, discipline, and confidence.”

We have all finally gotten in our groove of being able to balance field hockey and school work. Even though the week is busy, it’s always fun. Sadly spring season will be coming to a close soon and finals will begin – at least we still have 2 weeks left. Luckily, before finals start we meet the incoming freshmen at The President’s Tea (next weekend already?) and are reminded of field hockey fun to come. We’re really looking forward to meeting our future teammates… any chance to take our minds off school and reminisce about FHOCing! It will also be a fabulous chance to become friends with them, then later stalk them on Facebook… just kidding ;-) We are all super excited to meet the new girls and start season again. I have a feeling summer is going to fly by just like this spring has been … we’ll all be back in pre-season before we know it.

(Written by Freshman, Cat Jaronczyk)

New Beginnings

Spring Season 2010 – Week 1

Every year, we say goodbye to a few familiar faces before the start of spring season– always bittersweet. In addition to our adored seniors, this group includes our beloved Assistant Coach Val. We are sad she will no longer be with us on a day-to-day basis, but are confident our bond will not fade. We are all so excited for her future with Keith and wish her lots of luck with her bundle of joy on the way! Team Baby #2! On a lighter note, we were recently informed that a handful of incoming freshman were accepted in Stevens’ Early Decision process. Congratulations and Welcome to the Stevens Field Hockey Family Ladies!!! Can’t wait for you all to get here!

We are all getting back into the groove of practice in addition to school work. The off-season was nice and relaxing, but there’s nothing like being on the field again with your team and coaches… Even if it’s at 7am. Our spring focus has a ‘back to basics’ feel, as we’ve been revisiting the mechanics of proper field hockey form and technique. So, not only will we be amazing, but our tricky skills will be so much more refined! While we’re getting back to basics, the team has undertaken the task of updating our mission statement. Our goal is to nip and tuck the program’s vision to captures the current attitude of the team. This way, we can add to the legacy set before us, with our own flair. It’s a new generation of Stevens FHOCers!!!!

Check back in next week for an update on Week 2!

Until then…

(<3 Freshman, Mary Baldeon)

CONGRATS LIZ!!!

Great news spread like wildfire across the pond from Paris, France to Hoboken, NJ ... Liz is officially off the market! If you want to know details, you gotta go to the source. We just wanted to express a big CONGRATULATIONS to our Tri-Captain, Right Back and Dark Lord!!!

WE LOVE YOU VOLDIE!!!

Academic Awards

(March 26, 2010) – The Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team continued its run of academic honors as the team received the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Team Academic Award for the sixth-straight season. In addition to the team award, seven team members were named to the 2009 Gladiator by SGI/NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad.

Sixth-year Head Field Hockey Coach Jessica Reed and her teams have received the academic team award every year since 2004 – the first year field hockey was a varsity sport at Stevens. The group combined for the 3.22 grade-point average in the fall – well above the 3.0 requirement for the team award.

Six freshmen and one junior were named to the National Academic Squad, which honors student-athletes who achieve a grade-point average of 3.30 or higher during the fall semester. Stevens has now had 54 student-athletes named to the team in program history. Junior Ellyn Griggs earned the honor for the third time and freshmen Mary Baldeon, Laura Cerito, Mary Nikish, Nicole Pfeil, Christina Sedberry, and Samantha Weisman all received the honor for the first time.

“Our team puts in a great deal of work both in and out of the classroom,” said Coach Reed. “We had a very successful season on the field and it is great to see their hard work in the classroom rewarded and acknowledged.”

Stevens submitted a perfect Empire 8 season for the second year in a row, winning the conference title, and advancing to the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship. The Ducks finished with an overall mark of 17-4 and are 36-8 over the last two seasons.

- Rob Kulish (Stevens Sports Information Director)