Hempstead, NY - Hofstra Head Field Hockey Coach Kathy De Angelis begins her 13th season at the University when the Pride open their 2010 regular season at the Capital Land College Classic in Albany, New York this weekend. Hofstra will face Boston University on Saturday, August 28 at 2:30 p.m. after the host-Great Danes of Albany face Virginia Commonwealth at Noon. On Sunday, August 29, the Pride will square off against Albany at Noon with Boston University facing VCU at 2:30 p.m.
Like the other three teams in this weekend's tournament, the Pride enter the season receiving votes in the 2010 Kookaburra/NFHCA Preseason Coaches' Poll. Hofstra returns 18 players, including nine starters, from last year's squad that posted a 12-8 overall mark and a 5-3 record in CAA play. The Pride also qualified for the CAA Championship tournament for a sixth consecutive year in 2009.
Hofstra is led by junior midfielder Genna Kovar (Hampton Bays, NY), a NFHCA All-America third team selection as well as an All-Mideast region and All-CAA selection last year. Kovar led the Pride in goals with 15 and points with 35, and tied for team-high honors with five assists. Senior forward Nancy Wagenbrenner (Berlin, Germany) tallied three goals and three assists last season while sophomore Krizia Layne (Arima, Trinidad), who played on the gold-medal winning Trinidad and Tobago National Team at the Central American and Caribbean Games this summer to qualify for the 2011 Pan Am Games, recorded three goals and two assists as a freshman in 2009.
The midfield, like the forward position, has talent and experience with all four expected starting student-athletes playing in all 20 games last season. In addition to Kovar, junior Arielle Williams (Port-of-Spain, Trinidad), who tallied one goal and three assists, sophomore Micaela Gallagher (Port Jefferson, NY), a CAA All-Rookie Team selection who posted two goals last year, and classmate Kerry Kiddoo (Chapel Hill, NC), who also started all 20 games in 2009.
The Pride defense is young but very versatile. Leading the group is sophomore Codi Nyland, who played in 20 games and notched one goal and one assist last season. Freshman Dieke ter Weel (Eindhoven, Netherlands) has played in the Dutch first division with HC Eindhoven and captained her team last year, while classmate Stephanie Cowles (Solana Beach, CA) is an All-California selection and a member of the USFHA Futures Elite Program. All are expected to see extensive action on defense. Junior goalie Amanda Heyde (Somers, NY), who started 14 of the 17 games that she played in last season, is expected to be the starting goalie after posting a 2.66 goals against average in 2009.
Saturday's match-up against Boston University will be the 10th meeting between the two programs with the Terriers holding an 8-1 advantage. The two teams last met during the 2006 season, in Boston, with B.U. posting a 2-1 overtime victory. The Terriers, who finished 20th in the final 2009 Kookaburra/NFHCA regular season poll, are also receiving votes in the 2010 NFHCA Preseason Poll. Boston University was 10-12 last year.
The Great Danes of Albany were also a top 20 team last season, placing 18th in the final regular poll. Albany finished the year with a 13-5 record. Hofstra and Albany last met on September 5, 2009 in Hempstead with the Great Danes posting a 2-0 victory. Albany is 3-0 against the Pride in series history. The Great Danes also received votes in the 2010 NFHCA Preseason Poll.
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