University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Field Hockey Begins Preseason Practice
August 14, 2008 | Field Hockey
Aug. 14, 2008
AMHERST, Mass. - The UMass field hockey team returned to the field for the first day of preseason practice on Thursday as head coach Justine Sowry's Minutewomen begin their Atlantic 10 title defense. UMass will also be looking to build off last season's success that saw Sowry, as first-year head coach, lead the Maroon and White to a 14-9 record and a trip to the NCAA Tournament, the program's 20th and first since 2001.
The players arrived on campus Wednesday, where they made the rounds to check-in, equipment issue, physical exams, photos, and meetings, with the day culminating in a cookout for the players and their families.
On Thursday, the Minutewomen started the day with a morning practice that included fitness testing before breaking for lunch. In the afternoon, it was on to strength testing with strength and conditioning coach Anthony Catterton and then another practice on Garber Field.
UMass returns 12 players from last season's team, including captains Mary Shea, Erin Parker, and Makaela Potts, as well as leading scorer and first team All-Conference forward Cher King. Sowry also welcomes nine newcomers to this year's squad, comprised of seven freshmen and two transfers, Jill Powers from Rhode Island and Jackie Tait from Delaware.
UMass hosts an exhibition game at Garber Field versus Boston University on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. The Minutewomen open the regular season on Aug. 29 at Boston College and hold their home-opener on Aug. 31 when they host Quinnipiac at noon.
