University of Massachusets Athletics
Minutewomen At Princeton In NCAA Play-In Game On Tuesday
November 05, 2007 | Field Hockey
Nov. 5, 2007
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts field hockey team (13-8, 6-1 A-10), recipient of 22 votes in the latest NFHCA Poll, heads to Princeton, N.J. to take on the 17th-ranked Tigers (13-4, 6-1 Ivy) in an NCAA play-in game on Tuesday at 1 p.m. The Minutewomen, under first-year head coach Justine Sowry, won their 10th Atlantic 10 Tournament title on Saturday, defeating Saint Joseph's, 2-1, in Philadelphia. Princeton defeated Penn, 3-1, on Friday in their regular season finale to clinch the Ivy League title.
The 2007 season marked a changing of the guard in the A-10 as UMass was co-regular season champion with Temple and tournament champion, ending Richmond's streak of five-straight championships. It is the ninth time UMass has taken the regular season and tournament titles in the same season and the first time they have won either since 2001.
Series History
Despite both programs having long and storied pasts, they have yet to meet on the field hockey field. UMass has however, played a game at Princeton's Class of '52 Stadium. In 1998, the Minutewomen played an NCAA Tournament first round game there, losing to Penn State, 1-0.
Scouting Princeton
The Ivy League champions have won nine straight games, dating back to a Sept. 29 loss to Cornell, 4-3. The Tigers' other three losses have all been to ranked opponents, #16 American, #6 Penn State, and #2 Maryland. Their lone win versus a ranked opponent was on Oct. 7 when they defeated #3 UConn, 2-1. Kristen Holmes-Winn is in her fifth season coaching the Tigers. She has now led them to four Ivy League titles.
Sophomore forward Christina Bortz leads Princeton with 12 goals, seven assists, and 31 points. Senior midfielder Paige Schmidt has eight goals, five assists, and has taken a team-leading 78 shots. Junior back Holly McGarvie (nine goals) and sophomore midfielder Kaitlin Donovan (six goals) add to the Tigers' depth offensively.
Sophomore goalkeeper Cynthia Way has posted an 11-4 with a 1.45 goals against average, and .676 save percentage.
At The A-10 Tournament
Cher King (Christ Church, Barbados) scored a first half goal and Jaime Bourazeris (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) scored one in the second half to lead UMass to a 2-1 victory over Richmond on Friday afternoon at Finnesey Field. Kristina DoRosario (Oakville, Ontario) celebrated her 22nd birthday by picking up two assists, while Erin Parker (South Deerfield, Mass.) assisted on both goals as well. Senior goalkeeper Becky Letourneau (Greenfield, Mass.) made three saves while earning the win. The win advanced the Minutewomen to the Atlantic 10 field hockey championship game.
Two goals by Parker guided the Minutewomen to a 2-1 victory over host Saint Joseph's in the Atlantic 10 Tournament finals on Saturday afternoon at Finnesey Field. Katelyn Orlando (Manchester, Mass.) and Nicole Phelan (North Andover, Mass.) each picked up assists. It was UMass' first A-10 championship since 2001. The Minutewomen are now 26-8 all-time in A-10 Tournament games.
DoRosario, Bourazeris, King, and Parker were named to the All-Tournament Team. DoRosario was further honored by being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
Honors Keep Rolling In
Just prior to the A-10 Tournament, the conference announced its awards for the 2007 season. Highlighting the list was Sowry being named A-10 Coach of the Year. In her first season, she has led the Minutewomen to their biggest increase over the previous season (7) since 1995-96 (10). Erin O'Brien (Annandale, Va.), DoRosario, and King were named First Team All-Conference. For O'Brien it was her second-straight year. Bourazeris and Makaela Potts (Raby, Australia) were named to the All-Rookie team. Parker, who studies neuroscience at the Commonwealth Honors College, was named to the All-Academic team.
A Season to Remember
It has been a special season for UMass, going 13-8 overall with a conference record of 6-1. 2007 has proven to be the most successful season for any of the current Minutewomen and you would have to look back to 2000 to find a one as good.
Along with new head coach Sowry, 2007 brought a whole new attitude to UMass field hockey. After winning just six games in 2006, this season's team mixed experienced veterans with some talented newcomers to post 13 wins, six of them coming in the A-10.
Getting Defensive
Undoubtedly the strength of this year's club has been the defense. With three experienced seniors in O'Brien, DoRosario and Phelan, and one freshmen phenom in Bourazeris across the backline, the Minutewomen have fielded the top defense in the conference.
What a Difference a Year Makes
Along with new head coach Justine Sowry, 2007 brought a whole new attitude to UMass field hockey. After winning just six games in 2006, this season's team mixed experienced veterans with some talented newcomers to post 13 wins, six of them coming in the A-10.
Spreading the Wealth
The UMass offense began the year as virtually a one-player show, but has become a very diversified attack. King started the season red hot for the Minutewomen, scoring five the team's first eight goals. That stretch included back-to-back game-winners in 1-0 wins over Sacred Heart and Rutgers. Since then, eight separate players have scored the last 24 UMass goals.
Peaking At The Right Time
After starting the season 5-6, UMass has gone 8-2. The Minutewomen have outscored the opposition 17-5 over that span.
Success Breeds Success
When putting together her staff, Sowry, who has won two World Cup gold medals, brought in coaches from some of the most successful in the country. In fact, the last five NCAA National Championships are represented by UMass' coaches.
Webcast
Live streaming video of Tuesday's game will be available at UMassAthletics.com.