Hempstead, NY – After opening days of physicals and testing, NCAA and University compliance meetings and photos, the 2016 Hofstra Field Hockey preseason kicked into high gear on Friday as the Pride prep for their season opener at 2015 NCAA Championship participant Albany on Friday, August 26.

Hofstra Head Field Hockey Coach Kathy De Angelis begins her 20^th season at Hofstra and her 25^th collegiate season overall in 2016. The Pride recorded the second most victories in a single season in school history last season, posting a 14-6 final record and advancing to the Colonial Athletic Association Championship semifinals.

De Angelis returns 18 student-athletes including eight starters from last year's squad. Leading the pack of returnees is 2015 National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-American Claudia Marin Samper. The senior forward from Terrassa, Spain was an All-CAA first team selection after leading the conference in goals (19), assists (16) and points (54). Classmate and forward Stella Schoen (Hamburg, Germany), another All-CAA first team selection, was second in the CAA in goals (17) and points (41) on the way to a NFHCA All-Mideast Region second team honor. Schoen was a CoSIDA Academic All-American, a NFHCA Scholar of Distinction and the CAA Field Hockey Scholar-Athlete of the Year for her excellence in the classroom.

Senior midfielder Colby Hussong (Princeton Junction, NJ) is the third leading returning scorer on the Pride roster after posting six goals and five assists for 17 points while starting all 20 games. Sophomore Samantha Schlegel (Birdsboro, PA), a CAA All-Rookie Team selection, had an outstanding rookie season with 15 points on seven goals and one assist while senior midfielder Emily Gallagher (North Wales, PA), a solid two-way player, added a goal and two assists for four points.
 
Senior Carissa Witmer (Ephrata, PA), who has started all 59 games during her three years, anchors the Pride defense in front of junior goalie Carys Swan (Kelowna, BC, Canada), who recorded a 9-4 record with a 2.50 goals against average and 64 saves in 15 games last season. Senior Lauren Saltus (Centreville, VA) posted a 5-2 record with a 2.83 goals against average, 20 saves and two shutouts in seven starts.

Hofstra has added seven newcomers this season including two international standouts and five freshmen from Pennsylvania. De Angelis is confident that the newcomers will help contribute to another successful season.

The Pride will open their home schedule on Friday, September 2 against Maine at the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium and will host the defending national champions, the Orange of Syracuse on Sunday, September 4 at 1 p.m.