December 21
Kim Rochon Selected A-10 Student-Athlete of Year
Rochon, Fitzpatrick & Mitchell head Academic All-Conference List
PHILADELPHIA, PA - For the second consecutive year, West Chester University senior forward Kim Rochon (Chester Springs/Downingtown) has been named the Atlantic 10 Student-Athlete of the Year.
Rochon, along with senior defender Marisa Mitchell (Philadelphia/Northeast) and junior defender Kate Fitzpatrick (Langhorne/Council Rock), were selected to the Atlantic 10 Fall 2000 Academic All-Conference Team.
The honor was announced by the Atlantic 10 Offices in Philadelphia, PA, on Thursday, December 21. The nominees are submitted and voted upon by the sports information directors of the Atlantic 10. All nominees must have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and be either a sophomore, junior or senior. Transfers are not eligible in their first year. Nominees must also be a starter or a significant contributor.
Of the 29 field hockey players nominated by the Atlantic 10 institutions, 10 - or more than 1/3 - were from West Chester University. This list also included senior defender Jessica Forney (Mountville/Hempfield), junior forward Lindsay Gordon (Horsham/Hatboro-Horsham), junior goalkeeper Joelle Maguire (Pottstown/Pottstown), senior forward Stephanie Martin (Mt. Joy/Hempfield), senior midfielder Jennifer Okupniarek (Mountaintop/Crestwood), senior defender Devon Tirpack (Wall, NJ/Manasquan) and sophomore forward Stacey Tomes (Zionsville/Southern Lehigh).
Although they were not selected to the Academic Team, their 3.0+ grade point averages and nominations for the A-10 honor are indicative of head coach Kathy Krannebitter’s commitment to the term "student-athlete."
The A-10 Academic All-Conference Team was comprised of 12 field hockey players, including a league-high three from WCU. Temple University also boasted three, while LaSalle and Massachusetts each earned two. St. Joseph’s and Rhode Island each had one representative.
Rochon makes the team for the third straight year after completing her stellar field hockey career at WCU.
In 2000, Rochon played 18 games and totaled 16 points on seven goals and two assists. She also had one game-winner. Her outstanding season earned her NFHCA Mid-East Region All-American honors and a selection to the A-10 All-Conference Team.
On October 21, 2000, Rochon was selected the WCU Female Athlete of the Year and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year for her unbelievable 1999-2000 campaign. The co-captain was also dubbed the Atlantic 10 Player of the Week on October 23.
Rochon has unfurled a simply amazing career as a Golden Ram.
The three-year field hockey starter did not begin her 1999 campaign until late September after playing through the Spring 1999 lacrosse season with a stress fracture in her leg. She was still good enough on the field and in the classroom to earn the Atlantic 10 Student-Athlete of the Year award in field hockey in 1999.
He career honors also include being named to the 1998 Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team; Atlantic 10 Player of the Week on October 4, 1998; and an NFHCA Division I National Academic All-American in both 1998 and 1999.
Rochon is a three-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete (1998-2000) and a seven-time member of the WCU Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll (Fall 1997 - Fall 2000).
She will now focus on her final season of lacrosse where she has dominated the PSAC during her first three seasons. She was named the PSAC Lacrosse Rookie of the Year in 1997, then lived up to her rookie reputation by being named to three consecutive All-PSAC Lacrosse Team.
Rochon is a three-time lacrosse All-American who, in the spring of 2000, became West Chester University’s first female GTE/Verizon Academic All-America.
Her career field hockey stats include 66 games, 34 starts, 17 goals, six assists, 40 points and four game-winners. She is a four-year field hockey letterwinner and a three-year letterwinner in the sport of lacrosse.
An elementary education major with a 3.97 (on a 4.33 scale) grade point average, Rochon may be the best female student-athlete to ever don the purple and gold of WCU.
Mitchell and Fitzpatrick make their debuts on the A-10 Academic All-Conference Team in 2000.
The A-10’s Defensive Player of the Year, Mitchell was the biggest reason the Golden Rams returned to the Atlantic 10 Championships this year. The powerful defender with a wicked deadly shot terrorized goal keepers on penalty corners.
She shared the team lead in scoring with Rochon in 2000, posting identical numbers with her 16 points, seven goals and two assists. She also registered a pair of game-winners and led the team in shots with 58. The team’s co-captain was named to the NFHCA Mid-East Region First Team, an A-10 All-Conference selection, and an ECAC Division I Second Team All-Star.
For her career, Mtichell accumulated action in 67 games while starting 57 of those contests. She totaled 33 points on 13 goals and seven assists, registering game-winning goals on three different occasions. She also recorded 132 shots and two defensive saves while earning time in a starter’s role the past two seasons The four-year letterwinner was named to the NFHCA Mid-East All-American Second Team in the fall of 1999.
The senior elementary education major now boasts a 3.43 grade point average. She earned PSAC Scholar-Athlete honors in 2000, and she has been named to the WCU Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll six times (Spring 1998-Fall 2000).
Fitzpatrick also produced a stellar season as a defensive player. The junior back started and played in all 20 of West Chester University’s games this season, contributing five points on a goal and three assists. She also had a defensive save.
The three-year letterwinner has started 36 of the 38 games in which she has played, accumulating five points, three assists, one goal, six shots and three defensive saves during her career.
A business management major with a 3.40 GPA, Fitzpatrick is a two-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete (1999 & 2000) and a five-time member of the West Chester University Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll (Fall 1998 - Fall 2000).
December 15
Mitchell Named Field Hockey All-Star
CENTERVILLE, MA - Senior West Chester University field hockey sweeper Marisa Mitchell (Philadelphia/Northeast) has been named a 2000 Eastern College Athletic Conference Division I Field Hockey All-Star.
The ECAC Division I All-Star Team is voted upon by the Division I head field hockey coaches in the conference. The honors were announced by the ECAC Office in Centerville, MA, on Wednesday, December 6. This marked the first time the ECAC has selected a postseason All-Star Team in the sport of field hockey.
Mitchell keeps on collecting the awards for her stellar season. She has already been selected a National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I Mideast Region First Team All-American, the 2000 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, and an Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team member.
The anchor of the Golden Ram defense, Mitchell shared the team lead in goals and points during the 2000 campaign. Her devastating shot made her the ideal candidate for firing off WCU’s penalty corners.
She started all 20 games this season for WCU, compiling seven goals and two assists for 16 points. She shared the goal and point lead with senior teammate Kim Rochon (Chester Springs/Downingtown), who posted identical numbers.
Mitchell, whose sister Christina served as an assistant coach with the Golden Rams this season, finishes her career at WCU with 33 points on 13 goals and seven assists. She recorded three game-winning goals during her tenure, including two this season vs. UMBC and Drexel.
November 17
Marisa Mitchell, Kim Rochon Earn All-American Honors
WEST CHESTER, PA - Senior West Chester University field hockey sweeper Marisa Mitchell (Philadelphia/Northeast) and senior forward Kim Rochon (Chester Springs/Downingtown) have been named National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I Regional All-Americans.
Mitchell was named a Mideast Region First Team All-American, while Rochon earned Mideast Region Second Team All-American honors.
Mitchell’s award follows her being named the 2000 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year. She and Rochon were also selected to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team.
The anchor of the Golden Ram defense, Mitchell shared the team lead in goals and points during the 2000 campaign. Her devastating shot made her the ideal candidate for firing off WCU’s penalty corners.
She started all 20 games this season for WCU, compiling seven goals and two assists for 16 points. She shared the goal and point lead with Rochon, who posted identical numbers.
Mitchell, whose sister Christina served as an assistant coach with the Golden Rams this season, finishes her career at WCU with 33 points on 13 goals and seven assists. She recorded three game-winning goals during her tenure, including two this season vs. UMBC and Drexel.
Rochon, meanwhile, closes out her stellar career at WCU with 40 points on 17 goals and six assists. She tallied four game-winners during her career, including two this season in spectacular fashion. Her game-winner in overtime vs. St. Joseph’s helped secure a playoff berth for the Golden Rams.
WCU finished its season 9-11 overall and 2-3 in the Atlantic 10. The Golden Rams fell to UMass in the A-10 Semifinals 4-0.
November 7
Marisa Mitchell named A-10
Defensive Player of the Year
AMHERST, MA - Senior West Chester University field hockey sweeper Marisa Mitchell (Philadelphia/Northeast) has been named the 2000 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year.
Mitchell and senior forward Kim Rochon (Chester Springs/Downingtown) were also selected to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team.
The honors were announced by the Atlantic 10 on Friday evening, November 3, at the A-10 Field Hockey Tournament Banquet in Amherst, MA. The awards were voted upon by the field hockey coaches of the A-10.
Mitchell, the anchor of the Golden Ram defense, also shared the team lead in goals and points during the 2000 campaign. Her devastating shot made her the ideal candidate for firing off WCU’s penalty corners.
Mitchell started all 20 games this season for WCU, compiling seven goals and two assists for 16 points. She shared the goal and point lead with Rochon, who posted identical numbers.
Mitchell, whose sister Christina served as an assistant coach with the Golden Rams this season, finishes her career at WCU with 33 points on 13 goals and seven assists. She recorded three game-winning goals during her tenure, including two this season vs. UMBC and Drexel.
Rochon, meanwhile, closes out her stellar career at WCU with 40 points on 17 goals and six assists. She tallied four game-winners during her career, including two this season in spectacular fashion. Her game-winner in overtime vs. St. Joseph’s helped secure a playoff berth for the Golden Rams.
WCU finished its season 9-11 overall and 2-3 in the Atlantic 10.
WCU Falls to UMass in A-10 Semifinals
AMHERST, MA - The West Chester University field hockey team fell to the University of Massachusetts 4-0 in the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Championships on Saturday in Amherst, MA. The loss ends the WCU season with a 9-11 overall record.
UMass scored all four goals in the first half en route to the victory.
Junior goalkeeper Joelle Maguire (Pottstown/Pottstown) recorded sevens saves in the loss for the Golden Rams.
November 2
Golden Rams bound for Atlantic 10 Championships
Kim Rochon, Marisa Mitchell lead squad vs. UMass Saturday at 1 p.m.
KINGSTON, RI - For the third time in its three-year history as a member of the Division I Atlantic Conference, the West Chester University field hockey team will compete in the A-10 Championships.
The Golden Rams suffered a pair of losses in New England to Massachusetts (2-0) and Rhode Island (2-1), but URI’s win over LaSalle on Friday evening clinched a spot in the Final Four for the Golden Rams.
WCU will travel to Amherst, MA, along with Temple and Rhode Island for the Championships beginning Saturday at 1 p.m. The #4 Golden Rams will face top seed UMass at 1 p.m., while #2 Temple will battle #3 URI.
This is the third trip to the A-10 Championships for West Chester University in its five-year history in the league. After an 0-5 start in 1996, the Golden Rams captured the regular-season title in 1997 with a perfect 5-0 record.
The Golden Rams beat LaSalle 5-0 on November 8, 1997, to advance to the finals vs. host UMass. The Minutewomen defeated WCU 3-1 on November 9, 1997, during a driving rain storm.
In 1998, the Golden Rams shared the A-10 regular-season title with UMass, but were eliminated in the semifinals by Rhode Island (2-1).
Against URI on Sunday, senior Marisa Mitchell (Philadelphia/Northeast) scored the lone goal of the weekend for WCU. Mitchell and senior Kim Rochon (Chester Springs/Downingtown) share the scoring lead for the Golden Rams with 16. Each player has seven goals and two assists.
Junior goalkeeper Joelle Maguire (Pottstown/Pottstown) has played every minute of every game in net for WCU. She has earned nine victories, two shutouts and a 1.48 goals against average.
For the season, the Golden Rams have produced a 9-10 overall mark and a 2-3 record in the Atlantic 10 regular season.
October 25
Kim Rochon Named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week
PHILADELPHIA, PA - For the second time this season, West Chester University senior forward Kim Rochon (Chester Springs/Downingtown) has been named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Week.
Rochon scored two goals last week, both vs. St. Joseph’s - in a 2-1 overtime victory at WCU on October 19. She upped her season point total to 16 on seven goals and two assists.
On Saturday, Rochon was awarded the West Chester University Female Athlete of the Year and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors for the 1999-2000 season.
A-10 Field Hockey Playoff Berth on the Line
WEST CHESTER, PA - Now it comes down to mathematicians, schedule readers, sports information directors and coaches to decipher the potential playoff scenarios for the West Chester University field hockey team.
The Golden Rams split a pair of Atlantic 10 contests last week to leave their overall record at 9-8 and their A-10 mark at 2-1.
In the six-team Division I A-10 Field Hockey Conference, the top four earn a pass to Massachusetts for the Final Four. Temple and UMass are in, while the Golden Rams, Rhode Island and LaSalle all battle for the final two slots.
On Friday, both WCU and LaSalle trek to New England for the final conference games of the season. The scenarios are simple and complex - all at the same time. And the table is set as WCU faces first-place UMass Friday night, while the Explorers visit Rhode Island Friday afternoon. The two teams will switch sites on Sunday to close out the year.
If Rhode Island beats LaSalle on Friday afternoon, the Golden Rams and URI are both in. If WCU wins one game in New England, the Golden Rams clinch a berth. Either way, WCU could be seeded 1-4.
The situation could get a little scary if WCU falls twice and LaSalle beats Rhode Island but loses to UMass. This would forge a three-way tie for the final two playoff spots and turn goal differential in A-10 games into the tiebreaker. Entering the weekend, WCU is a +1, while LaSalle and Rhode Island are a -3.
Right now, the Golden Rams are sitting in a comfortable position.
WCU is coming off one of its most exciting and best-played games under head coach Kathy Krannbitter. The Golden Rams suffered a 1-0 overtime loss at home vs. Temple on October 21, but Krannebitter’s troops fired everything they could at the Owls.
Junior goalkeeper Joelle Maguire had six saves in the loss, but she may get another crack at the Owls come tourney time.
On October 19, senior forward Kim Rochon (Chester Springs/Downingtown) scored twice - the second coming in the first overtime period - as the Golden Rams edged St. Joseph’s 2-1. Sophomore Stacy Tomes (Zionsville/Southern Lehigh) and junior Lindsay Gordon (Horsham/Hatboro-Horsham) earned assists on the goals, while Maguire claimed the victory by stopping three shots.
Rochon now leads the team in scoring with 16 points on seven goals and two assists. She also upped her career point total to 40.
October 17
Tomes, Forney Propel WCU to A-10 Win
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The West Chester University Golden Rams received a pair of first-half goals from sophomore Stacey Tomes (Zionsville/Southern Lehigh) and senior Jessica Forney (Mountville/Hempfield) to rally past the Explorers of LaSalle 2-1 in the Atlantic 10 opener on October 14.
The victory lifted the Golden Rams to 8-7 overall and 1-0 in the A-10. It also snapped WCU’s three-game scoreless streak.
Tomes tied the game for the Golden Rams off a feed from senior Kim Rochon (Chester Springs/Downingtown) early in the first half. Then Forney was set up by sophomore Jill Posen (Blue Bell/Wissahickon) for the game-winner.
Junior goalkeeper Joelle Maguire (Pottstown/Pottstown) stopped seven shots on goal for West Chester to claim the victory.
The loss stemmed a tough three-game stretch for WCU that saw the Golden Rams suffer a trio of shutouts, including a pair of 1-0 losses on Saturday and Sunday, October 7 & 8. The setbacks were a little deceiving, however, as WCU faced a pair of top-ranked teams in Virginia and Penn State on artificial turf.
The Golden Rams fell 1-0 to the Cavaliers at Temple on October 7, then returned home for another heart-wrenching 1-0 loss vs. Southwest Missouri State on October 8. Maguire made 20 saves over the two games - nine against Virginia and 11 vs. Southwest Missouri State - but it wasn’t enough to secure the victories. The Golden Rams were then dealt a 6-0 loss by #6 Penn State in a game played at Messiah College in Grantham, PA, on October 10.
Senior Marisa Mitchell (Philadelphia/Northeast) continues to lead the Golden Rams in scoring from her defensive position. The powerful shooter on penalty corners and strokes has posted six goals and two assists for 14 points. She is currently ranked fourth in the Atlantic 10 in points and she shares the team goal-scoring lead with junior Lindsay Gordon (Horsham/Hatboro-Horsham). Gordon and Rochon are tied for 10th in the A-10 in points (12).
The Golden Rams now begin their final four-game stretch of 2000. All four contests will be Atlantic 10 games, including Wednesday’s match at WCU vs. St. Joseph’s. The top four teams at the end of the regular season will converge on the University of Massachusetts November 4-5 for the Atlantic 10 Championships.
October 6
Field Hockey Team Rips Drexel, Beats Syracuse
WEST CHESTER, PA - West Chester University field hockey head coach Kathy Krannebitter may have mixed feelings about the rollercoaster her players forced her to ride this week.
But in the end, Krannebitter’s Golden Rams scored nine goals in five days over three contests to improve their record to 7-4 on the season as they brace for a brutal stretch of games.
Since Friday, September 29, the Golden Rams have piled up a 3-2 victory over Syracuse and a 6-1 shellacking of Drexel. The low point of the ride occurred on September 30 when, still flying from the upset at Syracuse, the Golden Rams fell to Albany 4-1. The wild swings of young teams will force scores like Albany to surface, but the Golden Rams still have won seven of their last 11 heading into this weekend’s battles with Virginia and Southwest Missouri State.
The Golden Rams will play the cavaliers on Saturday at Temple, then face SWMS on Sunday at WCU. On Tuesday, the Golden Rams travel to Messiah College in Gratham, PA, for a showdown with #6 Penn State. The next three games could define WCU’s season.
On October 3 at home against the Lady Dragons, senior Kim Rochon (Chester Springs/Downingtown) scored a pair of goals to lead the Golden Rams to a 6-1 whipping. Drexel had entered into the contest with an 8-3 record, but Rochon was a one-woman wrecking crew.
The six goals matched a season-high for WCU which beat UMBC 6-0 earlier this season. Before the win over UMBC, the Golden Rams last tallied six goals in a game against, of all teams, Drexel in 1987.
The Golden Rams jumped on the board just 1:04 into the game when senior Kristin Schulberger (Quakertown/Quakertown) shoved home a rebound following freshman Kendra Wood’s (Lititz/Warwick) initial shot, giving WCU a 1-0 lead. Wood was credited with the assist.
The Golden Rams built a 2-0 lead when senior Marisa Mitchell (Philadelphia/Northeast) flicked a penalty stroke over the right shoulder of Drexel’s goalkeeper. Mitchell, who leads WCU in scoring with 14 points on six goals and two assists, would get credit for the game-winner.
The Dragons cut the WCU lead in half, but junior Lindsay Gordon (Horsham/Hatboro-Horsham) upped the ante again when she banked home an initial shot by sophomore Jill Posen (Blue Bell/Wissahickon), who claimed the assist.
The Golden Rams then broke the game open in the second half on back-to-back goals by Rochon less than a minute apart. Rochon redirected a Posen blast for her first goal, then broke in alone on the goal and scored while tumbling into the net.
Junior Kate Fitzpatrick (Langhorne/Council Rock) took a feed from Mitchell to wrap up the Golden Rams offensive explosion.
Junior goalkeeper Joelle Maguire (Pottstown/Pottstown) recorded sevens saves to earn the win for WCU.
The loss at Albany was a frustrating one for the Golden Rams, but it the set the stage for their outburst against the Dragons. Gordon scored the lone goal off an assist by freshman Caleen Owens (Flourtown/Springfield - MONTCO).
WCU took a 3-0 lead on Syracuse, then hung on for the 3-2 win. Rochon and Mitchell scored first for WCU, then Posen would tally what would prove to be the game-winner.
But the WCU defense and Maguire proved to be the deciding factor. Syracuse outshot WCU 10-0 in the second half, scored one goal, but Maguire repelled four other shots on net to secure the win.
She currently boasts a 1.25 goals against average and has nine shutouts for her career.
September 29
Rochon Leads WCU to Pair of Wins
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Lindsay Gordon scored late in overtime as the West Chester University field hockey team claimed its third win in four contests by defeating Penn 2-1. The triumph was the third overtime victory in 12 days for the Golden Rams.
The victory elevated WCU’s record to 5-3 on the season and 5-1 in its last six games.
Gordon’s goal came on an assist from senior Kim Rochon (Chester Springs/Downingtown) with 4:30 left in the second overtime period. Senior Jennifer Okupniarek (Mountaintop/Crestwood) gave WCU a 1-0 lead on an assist by senior Marisa Mitchell (Philadelphia/Northeast) with 31:54 left in the first half, but Penn forced overtime with the tying goal early in the second period.
Junior goalkeeper Joelle Maguire (Pottstown/Pottstown) was stupendous in net, stopping 15 shots on goal.
On Saturday at Ursinus, Rochon almost single-handedly (pun intended) defeated the Bears to claim the Eleanor Snell Tribute Game for the Golden Rams. Rochon, who has been sporting a cast over her wrist, scored twice to lead WCU. She scored the first goal of the game, then tallied the game-winner in overtime on an assist from freshman Heather McGinley (Lancaster/Hempfield). Mitchell also scored once for WCU.
For her outstanding performance, Rochon was named the Atlantic 10 and the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division Field Hockey Player of the Week.
September 20
Maguire named A-10 Player of the Week
PHILADELPHIA, PA - West Chester University junior field hockey goalkeeper Joelle Maguire (Pottstown/Pottstown) has been named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Week.
Maguire led WCU to a pair of victories over Lehigh and Lafayette last week. In a 2-0 win at home vs. the Mountain Hawks on September 13, Maguire stopped 12 shots and kept the Golden Rams in the game until WCU could break the 0-0 deadlock.
On September 16, the Golden Rams used 100 minutes and 14 penalty strokes following overtime to nip Lafayette on the road 2-1. Maguire had 15 saves, including three in the final one-on-one session that decided the game.
WCU is now 3-3 on the season.
Villanova Edges WCU in Field Hockey
WEST CHESTER, PA - Villanova scored the only goal of the game and its keeper turned away 13 shots on goal as the Wildcats ended the West Chester University field hockey three-game winning streak with a 1-0 win on Wednesday, September 20.
The loss dropped WCU’s record to 3-3 despite the dominating play by the offense which kept the ball in Nova’s end throughout the second half. The Golden Rams unleashed 13 shots and forced VU’s netminder to make nine saves over the final 35 minutes.
WCU’s defense, led by senior co-captain Marisa Mitchell (Philadelphia/Northeast), permitted just one second-half shot on goal.
The Golden Rams travel to Ursinus on Saturday, September 23, for the annual Eleanor Snell Tribute Game.
September 18
Golden Rams run win streak to 3 with victory at Lafayette
Joelle Maguire comes up big in shoot-out;
Jill Posen scores deciding penalty stroke
EASTON, PA - Junior goalkeeper Joelle Maguire (Pottstown/Pottstown) just kept going and going and going. For 100 minutes - 30 longer than a normal field hockey game - Maguire turned away shot after Lafayette shot. When the clock finally stopped, Maguire was asked again to stay in net.
And she did, dispersing or disrupting all but four of the Leopards’ penalty strokes during a 2-1 double overtime, triple shoot-out West Chester University road victory on Saturday afternoon, September 16.
The win was the third straight for the Golden Rams, who have suddenly turned their season around after an 0-2 start.
Maguire finished the game with 15 saves en route to her third victory of the season. She now owns a 0.73 goals against average and a save percentage of 91.3.
The Golden Rams grabbed a 1-0 lead early in the second half, but Lafayette tied the score 1-1 to force the extra sessions. Both teams slugged their way through 30 minutes of scoreless overtime field hockey before moving into penalty strokes to decide the game.
The two goalies matched saves and goals allowed through the two five-shot rounds, sending the decision to a one-on-one penalty shoot-out. During the fourth round, Maguire made her save and sophomore Jill Posen (Blue Bell/Wissahickon) converted her attempt. The combination supplied WCU with a clutch, hard-fought 2-1 win.
Senior forward Kristen Schulberger (Quakertown/Quakertown) established a 1-0 lead for the Golden Rams early in the second half when she scored off an assist by senior Jessica Forney (Mountville/Hempfield).
On September 13, the Golden Rams fought off a ferocious beginning by Lehigh to defeat the Mountain Hawks 2-0 at home. Maguire came up huge in the contest, turning away 12 shots on net, including a penalty stroke late in the second half that could have tied the game.
After Lehigh’s initial thrust failed to produce a score, the Golden Rams countered with a goal by junior Lindsay Gordon (Horsham/Hatboro-Horsham) on WCU’s first shot of the game. The goal deflated Lehigh and then sophomore Mariel Tomes (Zionsville/Southern Lehigh) added the insurance. It was the first career point by any of the Tomes’ Triplets who are seeing significant varsity action in 2000.
Forney was credited with an assist in the contest.
WCU’s winning streak actually began on September 9 when the Golden Rams crushed UMBC 6-0. It was the most goals by the Golden Rams in a game since beating Drexel 6-0 in 1987. It also marked the first career hat-trick for senior co-captain Marisa Mitchell (Philadelphia/Northeast).
Schulberger, Gordon and freshman Kendra Wood (Lititz/Warwick) all tallied goals, while senior Jennifer Okupniarek (Mountaintop/Crestwood) and junior Kate Fitzpatrick (Langhorne/Council Rock) combined for seven assists. Okupniarek had four, just one shy of Marianne Schreiber’s 1978 team mark of five set against Gettysburg in 1978.
Schulberger and freshman Heather McGinley (Lancaster/Hempfield) - one of WCU’s McGinley twins - added assists. Maguire had an easy afternoon: She didn’t have to make a save as UMBC took no shots on goal.
The Golden Rams began the year with two tough one-goal losses. Rider edged WCU 1-0 at home on September 2 despite sevens saves from Maguire.
On opening day at Towson, Gordon deadlocked the score at 1-1 with 23 seconds left before intermission, but the Tigers rebounded in overtime to take the 2-1 victory.
The Golden Rams host Villanova on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
August 24
Mitchell, Polito Named Assistant Field Hockey Coaches
WEST CHESTER, PA - Former field hockey players Christina Mitchell and Donna Polito have been named West Chester University’s assistant field hockey coaches for the 2000 season.
Mitchell joins the WCU coaching staff this season after completing a stellar career under head coach Kathy Krannebitter in 1999.
A two-year starter for the Golden Rams, Mitchell competed in 54 games while earning 35 starts. She scored eight career goals and had three assists for 19 points. In 1999, she shared the team lead in goals scored (6) with Polito and her sister, Marisa Mitchell, a captain on this year’s squad.
A health and physical education major at WCU, Mitchell is a native of Philadelphia and a graduate of Northeast High School.
Her career at WCU included being named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Mid-East All American Second Team in 1999, and earning the Outstanding Athlete honor for her team last year.
A four-year letterwinner at WCU, Mitchell also excelled in the classroom. She was named a 2000 PSAC Scholar-Athlete and she was a four-time member of WCU’s Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll.
A two-sport athlete who competed in both field hockey and softball while at WCU, Polito joins the Golden Rams this season as an assistant.
During her career as a field hockey player, Polito scored 16 goals and posted 37 points while playing in 77 games. She was a four-year letterwinner who shared the team lead in scoring (14) and goals (6) in 1999.
Polito was rewarded for her outstanding season by earning Atlantic 10 All-Conference honors. She was also named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Mid-East All American Second Team. In 1998, she was selected to the Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team.
A career .278 hitter, Polito played in 65 games over two years for the WCU softball team. Her 2000 season was curtailed by a knee injury, but she did manage to produce 23 hits and 13 walks through 29 games. She also stole 23 of 26 bases while hitting .291.
A native of Cranford, NJ, and a graduate of Cranford High School, Polito earned a place on the WCU Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll on four different occasions in her career.
Season Preview
Golden Rams Aiming for Return Trip to Atlantic 10 Playoffs
WEST CHESTER, PA - The adage used by teams suffering subpar years always seems to focus on a break here or there that would spin a losing season into a winning campaign. Often it is utilized as an excuse. Other times it is the truth.
Peer deep inside the numbers of the West Chester University field hockey team and the truth of a 7-11 squad suddenly emerges. A clutch goal here or key deflection there and the 1999 Golden Rams climb out of the red and into contention for another Atlantic 10 regular-season title.
Five times last year the Golden Rams forged overtime, but they never managed that game-winning goal. Three times WCU fell to Atlantic 10 foes, including an exasperating weekend sweep at the hands of Rhode Island (3-2) and Massachusetts (3-2). Of their 11 losses, eight were decided by a single tally.
In contrast, the Golden Rams permitted just two goals in their seven victories as they recorded five shutouts.
This season head coach Kathy Krannebitter has drawn question marks all over her roster. The issue isn't’t talent. The unknown quantity is how quickly will her young team mature.
In 1999, Christina Mitchell and Donna Polito combined for 12 of the team’s 26 total goals, but they have taken their tallies to the sidelines this year as Krannebitter’s assistant coaches. The Golden Rams also lose Charlene Bailey and Natalie Landis, two veteran mainstays who teamed up for 10 points and a pair of game-winning scores.
The captain’s torch has been passed from Mitchell to younger sister Marisa Mitchell (Philadelphia/Northeast) and Kim Rochon (Chester Springs/Downingtown). The two seniors will be expected to lead the team on the field and in the locker room.
Although Rochon missed the beginning of the 1999 season while recovering from a stress fracture in her leg, she still managed four assists over 12 games and was named the Atlantic 10 Student-Athlete of the Year in field hockey. Marisa, meanwhile, shared team high honors for points (14) and goals (6) while earning regional All-American accolades.
Positions and playing time seem to be wide open as the Golden Rams enter summer camp. Rochon is a lock to start up front, but playing time will be distributed among the remaining veteran players and talented junior varsity graduates as preseason camps winds down to opening day.
The forward battle will be interesting as experience and youth fight for starts and minutes. Seniors Devon Tirpack (Manasquan, NJ/Wall), Stephanie Martin (Mount Joy/Hempfield) and Kristin Schulberger (Quakertown/Quakertown) will compete with rising sophomores Jessica DeLong (Philadelphia/St. Hubert’s), Erin Carr (Downingtown/Downingtown), Kate Randle (Mountaintop/Crestwood), Mariel Tomes (Zionsville/Southern Lehigh) and Stacey Tomes (Zionsville/Southern Lehigh).
Junior forward Lindsay Gordon (Horsham/Hatboro-Horsham) could also have a breakout season on attack.
The midfielders will be led by returning senior starter Jennifer Okupniarek (Mountaintop/Crestwood). Sophomore Jill Posen (Blue Bell/Wissahickon) saw lots of action in 1999 as a rookie, while junior Marcie Kershaw (West Chester/East) and sophomore and Lori Stein (York/Dallastown) could make the jump to the varsity.
The defense will be anchored by junior goalkeeper Joelle Maguire (Pottstown/Pottstown), who recorded five shutouts in 1999.
Returning starting defenders include seniors Jackie Kratzer (Liverpool/Greenwood) and Jessica Forney (Mountville/Hempfield), and junior Kate Fitzpatrick (Langhorne/Council Rock). Sophomore Lauren Tomes (Zionsville/Southern Lehigh) will also vie for playing time.
The Golden Rams begin the season on August 30 at Towson before returning to West Chester for the home opener on September 2 vs. Rider.
WCU’s eight-game home schedule will feature Atlantic 10 rivals St. Joseph’s and Temple, as well as Drexel, Villanova, Lehigh, UMBC and Southwest Missouri State. It will be the first meeting between UMBC and WCU, while the Golden Rams and Southwest Missouri State last battled in 1977.
The Golden Rams will travel to Ursinus on September 23 for the annual Eleanor Snell Tribute Game, and wrap up the regular season with an A-10 weekend in New England against UMass and Rhode Island.
Other road trips include stops at Lafayette, Penn, Syracuse, Albany (first meeting) and LaSalle. The Golden Rams will play Virginia for the first time since 1988 at Temple, and they will face Penn State on October 10 at a site to be determined.
|
