“We want to finish first in the MAC in the regular season,” said senior co-captain Tarah Trottier. “We also want to win the MAC Tournament to get a bid to the NCAA Tournament.”

The Chippewas — 14-7 last season — need to replace key members from a defense that gave up just 1.3 goals per game in MAC play. Departures Jeanette Spero and Maria Neiswender left two back positions open, and goalkeeper Janel Spero also graduated after starting 44 consecutive games.

Stepping in at center back is senior co-captain Katie Coccia, who has started the past three seasons at midfield. Senior Laura Plese started the first two games in goal, but Freese said freshman Danielle Frank could see playing time.

Coaches

Cristy Freese (Head Coach, 130-182-6 overall, 18 years)

Kristen Manson (Assistant)

Ellie Provenzano (Grad Ast.)

Senior Allison Foland is playing left back, but Head Coach Cristy Freese would like to move her to midfield.

“We want to move (Foland) to midfield because she has speed and she is a good passer,” Freese said. “Her playing defense kind of limits what she can do offensively. However, right now we need her back on defense.”

The Chippewas have started the season 0-2 after dropping games to Big Ten foes Indiana and Northwestern.

“The older players like Tarah, Katie and Allison have all stepped up,” Freese said. “Kristy Reed played well against Northwestern, but we want to take her to the next level.”

Reed is the leading returning scorer in the MAC after last season’s 12-goal, 25-point performance. Trottier and sophomore Alisa Folk will replace the graduated Meg Lewis to round out the forwards.

The Chippewas will have an experienced midfield in junior Michelle Fogle and sophomore Erica Takach. Sophomore Kim Ferris also will see significant playing time this season.

Despite some experience, the Chippewas have struggled in game situations.

“We have all the off-the-field stuff complete, now we just need to work on the stuff on the field,” Coccia said. “It’s early in the season and you don’t want to peak too early.”

A tough non-conference schedule should prepare CMU for MAC play.

Field Hockey Roster
N0.	Name	Pos.
0	Danielle Frank	GK
1	Laura Plese	GK
2	Alisa Folk	F
3	Jenny Rosen	B
4	Kattie Coccia	B
5	Kristy Reed	F
6	Kristy Seufert	B
8	Stasia Burroughs	B
9	Alicia Balanesi	F
10	Allison Foland	MF
11	Tarah Trottier	F
12	Amy Kauffman	B
14	C. Blanchard	MF
15	Laura Glaza	B
16	Kim Ferris	MF
17	Michelle Fogle	MF
21	Bryanna Nelson	B
23	Erica Takach	MF
24	Erin Dottery	MF
39	Kerri Krasnow	GK

“I would rather play Indiana and Northwestern and lose than play bad competition and win,” Trottier said. “We have been waiting so long to play a conference game, and our focus is to be MAC Champs.”

The MAC Preseason Coaches Poll tabbed CMU to finish in fourth place, after being picked to finish fifth last season. Louisville was chosen to win the regular season for the first time in school history. Kent State was picked to finish second, and to win the MAC Tournament.

“It didn’t bother me to be picked fourth,” Freese said. “I didn’t assume we’d be picked to win it because we lost five seniors. Other coaches don’t expect much from us and I love that role. I have always said you have to prove it on the field.”

Louisville Head Coach Pam Bustin agrees with Freese to some extent.

“I know that CMU lost their goalkeeper, and she was a big part of their success last season,” Bustin said. “But, preseason polls don’t tell me very much becaue this league is too competitive.”

2003 Field Hockey Schedule
Date	Opponent	Outcome / Time
8-30	at Indiana	L, 1-0
9-07	at Northwestern	L, 5-3
9-12	at Syracuse	7 p.m.
9-14	at Cornell	noon
9-18	at Michigan St	5p.m.
9-26	at Louisville	4 p.m
9-28	at Miami	1 p.m.
10-2	Kent State	2 p.m.
10-3	Ohio	3 p.m.
10-5	Iowa	1 p.m.
10-7	at Stanford	11 a.m.
10-11	at Ball State	TBA
10-13	Michigan	3 p.m.
10-17	Louisville	2 p.m.
10-19	Miami	noon
10-24	at Ohio	3 p.m.
10-25	at Kent State	1 p.m.
11-07	MAC Tournament	TBA

Tri-champs must replace key seniors

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