Bounce-Back Year For FSU

Courtesy of Matt Stewart, Sentinel & Enterprise

FITCHBURG -- The Fitchburg State University field hockey team took its lumps last year during an uncharacteristically rocky season in the Little East Conference.

On their heels of that 6-11 campaign, which saw them go 1-10 in the league, the Falcons are motivated to prove they are a deeper, stronger squad in 2014.

"I have a really positive outlook for this year," Fitchburg State head coach Beth Bacher said. "The team has jelled really well during preseason. The returners really jelled at the end of last year, so I'm thinking as we move into the season I think team chemistry will grow strong, and hopefully we can improve our overall record and our record in the league."

The Falcons are usually one of the top teams in the Little East Conference, but their young roster struggled last year as newcomers gained experience while playing prominent roles. This year's preseason poll results had FSU 11th in the 12-team league.

Fourteen players return from last year's squad, however, and their growing talent should work well alongside the nine freshmen.

"We have a deeper team this year," Bacher said. "We have multiple players at all of the positions."

A wealth of experience in net should be a good sign for the Falcons this year. Lucy Holewa returns for her senior season after posting a 5-7 record and a 3.23 goals-against average last year. Joining her is junior Judith Valentine, who started five games, and freshman Jordyn Conway.

"Holewa was splitting time with Judith Valentine last year," Bacher said. "We have three goalies this year, (Holewa) and (Valentine) definitely have strong experience, but we're also looking for good play from them. They will definitely be a key to our success this year."

Fitchburg State returns its leading point scorer and goals scorer, as sophomore Stephanie Stearns will take the lead once again. Last year as a freshman she posted eight goals and one assist for 17 points.

"(Stearns) is in great shape and we're looking for her to be a force on the attack," Bacher said. "She will be an important part of our efforts."

Erin Morrissey will be an another important cog in the front lines, along with senior captain and North Middlesex Regional graduate Kaitlyn Silva (3 goals, assist, 7 points), Julia Pecoraro and Julia Gimenez. The returners also get a boost of competition from some highly touted freshmen filling in at the forward and midfield ranks.

"We have a lot of returners at forward, and we also have a lot of new really good freshmen," Silva said. "I'm really impressed with the freshmen; I think they're really going to help us out a lot."

The midfield loses longtime starter Rebecca Bush to graduation. Madeline Hoffman, a starter with nine points last year, will likely slide to center-midfield.

Freshman Bailey Miller arrives from Leominster High School and has a good chance of finding a starting role in the Falcons' ranks at mid, while fellow Leominster native Hannah Mason is transferring in and could see some good minutes.

Emily Petit returns in the midfield, while recent St. Bernard's grad Jill Schultze will split time between the midfield and defense.

Fitchburg High grad Courtney Brooks will not only anchor the back end of the defense, but serves as one of the team's captains. Kelly Luttazi returns to the defense, while Nicole Fors (Lunenburg High) might be one of the most improved Falcons after starting on the team last year.

Fitchburg State opened the season on Saturday with a 1-0 road loss to Roger Williams. The Falcons will next travel to Johnson & Wales on Thursday before hosting their home opener against WPI on Sept. 9.

"We've always seemed to have a pretty strong defensive front," Brooks said. "This year we even have more. We have a lot more numbers than we're used to on defense, which is awesome so we can have a lot rotate in. Everyone is showing a lot of potential."