University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Takes On Sacred Heart In Home-Opener On Wednesday
August 28, 2007 | Field Hockey
Aug. 28, 2007
AMHERST, Mass. - The 2007 edition of UMass Field Hockey, under new head coach Justine Sowry, will make its home debut on Wednesday when Sacred Heart visits Garber Field for a 6 p.m. match-up. The Minutewomen (0-1) opened their season on the road with a 1-0 loss to Syracuse in a close defensive struggle on Sunday. The Pioneers (1-1) split their games over the weekend at the Husky Classic in Fairfield.
Series History: The Minutewomen and Pioneers have met only once in the past, in 2005. On that day it was UMass coming away with a 2-1 victory. Both goal scorers for UMass in that game will be dressing for the Minutewomen again this time. Erin Parker (South Deerfield, Mass.) assisted on Katelyn Orlando's (Manchester, Mass.) first half goal. Then with 17 seconds left in the game Rachael Mervine (Conway, Mass.) set up Parker for the winning goal.
UMass Report: UMass comes into Wednesday's game off the heels of a 1-0 loss at Syracuse in a hard fought game. The defense was strong throughout, led by Becky Letourneau's (Greenfield, Mass.) four saves. Senior offensive captain Erin Parker and freshman Katie Kelly (Dedham, Mass.) registered shots on goal for the Minutewomen. Sowry will look for those two, along with the likes of sophomore Cher King (Christ Church, Barbados) and junior Lauren Gillespie (Casco, Mainee) to get the offense going against Sacred Heart.
The Minutewomen's solid defense is anchored by a pair of veterans, team captain Erin O'Brien and defensive captain Kristina DoRosario. The pair has played in a combined 104 games for UMass. Sowry is also looking to a pair of newcomers, freshmen Jaime Bourazeris (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and Makaela Potts (Raby, Australia) to step up and contribute on the defensive end.
Sacred Heart Report: Sacred Heart is led by seventh-year head coach Chris Blair. She has guided the Pioneers to six straight Northeast Conference Tournament appearances and was named the conference's Coach of the Year in 2006. The Pioneers were 15-5 last season and 6-2 in the NEC. Last weekend they lost to Towson 6-1 before winning 1-0 over Maine.
Sacred Heart's offensive attack is led by 2006 NEC leading scorer and Player of the Year, Carisa Eye. The junior forward finished second in the nation in scoring last season with 32 goals and 66 points.
Other top returners for the Pioneers are senior midfielders Leah Stoehr (4 goals, 8 assists in 2006) and Jenn Howly (4 goals, 5 assists in 2006). Their top playmaker is senior midfielder Katie Bohren (10 assists in 2006). Junior Kristin McIntyre has been in goal for Sacred Heart in both games this season, going 1-1 with a 3.00 goals against average and .625 save percentage.
Broadcast Info: Now is the time to be at UMass, and if you can't the best way to be there is through UMass All-Access, UMass Athletics' internet multimedia platform, featuring live video webcasts of home events, along with exclusive video interviews. Programming launches this week with the webcasts of the UMass football game with Holy Cross, Saturday at 1 p.m., and field hockey games with Sacred Heart, Wednesday at 6 p.m., and Rutgers, Saturday at noon. A monthly, renewable All-Access package is available for $9.95 per month. Fans looking for greater value can save $50 on the year, by purchasing the Annual Package for $79.95, or by subscribing to CSTV.com's XXL Annual Package for $99.95 for any game that CSTV.com offers.
As always, free live stats will be available on Gametracker at UMassAthletics.com.