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2000-01 Field Hockey Outlook

The Eagles will look to a solid core of veterans, including 1999 CAA Co-Rookie of the Year and AstroTurf/NFHCA First Team Regional All-America Magdalena Aguilar and All-CAA First Team selection Jhoanna Savino, to lead the Eagles into the national spotlight as a program to beware of in the next century.

The Eagles return nine starters and an additional six letter winners from last season's strong squad. AU will be led by a group of veterans that continue to shape the foundation of success both on and off the field. During the 1999 season, the Eagles garnered 12 post-season accolades, including three CAA awards and four academic honors and will push the envelope of excellence this season.

The Offense

The Eagles will look to dominate on the frontline as they return 83% of their scoring threat, including sophomores Magdalena Aguilar (Buenos Aires, Argentina/ St. Catherine's Morrlands), Kate Finn (Derwood, MD/ Magruder) and Erin Whiteside (West Chester, PA/Henderson). The three combined for 26 of the Eagles 36 goals last season. A disciplined forward with an eye for the ball, Aguilar will prove to be a scoring threat against even the toughest opposition. As a rookie she tallied 16 goals and passed for 4 assists to finish sixth among CAA scoring leaders and 16th in the NCAA. Finn's tireless work ethic, strong skills and great passing make her a force on the forward/midfield line, while Whiteside made an immediate impact on the Eagles' offense. AU's second leading scorer, Whiteside started every game as a freshman and added eight goals and one assist for 17 points and will turn up the intensity as she returns to the lineup this season.

Veterans Rita Delgadillo (Jr., Chula Vista, CA/Hilltop) and Brooke Molnar (Sr., Holmdel, NJ/Fountain Valley) will look to add to the success of the Eagles' front line with their aggressive play and knowledge of the game. In addition to the leadership and experience of these veterans, the Eagles can count on a decorated group of newcomers to add to this season's offensive game plan.

Joining the Eagles' offense will be Commonwealth District Player of the Year, Bobbi Decatur (Fr., Harwood, VA/Stafford) and Melissa Snyder (Fr., Gaithersburg, MD/Quince Orchard). Decatur, aWashington Post All-Met First Team selection and Regional Player of the Year, will bring great athleticism to the 2000 squad. A member of three consecutive District Championship teams, Decatur will look to step up immediately and compete for a starting role. Snyder, also aWashington Post All-Met selection, will be looked upon for her speed and fitness.

The Middle

In the midfield, the Eagles return All-CAA First Team selection and AstroTurf/NFHCA Second Team Regional All-America Jhoanna Savino (Sr., Caracas, Venezuela/Institutos Educacionales) and seasoned veteran Angela Angeles (Sr., Virginia Beach, VA/Salem). Savino is the heart and soul of the Eagles defense. The link between the goalkeeper, defenders and forwards, Savino's knowledge of the game, desire to excel and leadership on the field has helped her to create a name for herself among the best in the CAA. A play maker, Angles is responsible for much of the Eagles' successful penalty corner strategies and continues with Savino to dominate in the midfield.

In addition, the Eagles will look to Karlijn Schellens (Fr., Valkenswaard, The Netherlands) and Erin Silliman (Fr., Upper Arlington, OH/Upper Arlington) to contribute in the midfield. Schellens' strong passing game and ball handling skills will make her a top competitor for a starting position. A skillful player from Ohio, Silliman was named a First Team All-League selection and Ohio All-Star in her senior campaign.

The 2000 Defense

The Eagles will look to make it difficult for the opposition to earn scoring opportunities in the backfield as they return goalkeeper Lauren McDonnell (So., Egg Harbor Township, NJ/Egg Harbor Township), Amy Pukala (Sr., Cheshire, CT/Cheshire) and play makers Kecia Jones (Jr., Diamond Vale, Trinidad/Bishop Anstey) and Daione Takao (Sr., Larchmont, NY/Mamaroneck). Starting in every game in her rookie campaign, McDonnell recorded 6 shutouts and 129 saves boasting a .733 save percentage. This season McDonnell's increased confidence in the cage is sure to breed nothing but success. She will have the support of Pukala and Jones to fend off the opposition. Pukala's solid and steady play in the backfield combined with her strong passing make her a critical part of the Eagle defense. With the addition of Jones, Vice-captain of the Trinidad Junior National Team that competed in the Junior Pan American Games this spring in Barbados, the Eagles have built a strong wall to protect their keeper and defend their cage. The Eagles will also rely on Takao, a consistent starter, in the backfield.

Returning defenders Elizabeth Augustine (Jr., Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin), Jessica Cerato (Sr., Hawley, PA/Wallenpaupack Area), Deanna Vogt (Jr., Oakhurst, NJ/Ocean Township) and goalkeeper Liz Rhodes (So., Taneytown, MD/Delone Catholic) will be in search of starting roles for the Eagles this season.

Newcomers Jessica Garvey (So., Columbia, MD/Hammond), Erin Haggerty (Fr., Sussex, NJ/High Point Regional), Ashlee Loy (Fr., State College, PA/State College), Laura Miller (Fr., Peennsburg, PA/Quakertown) and Martha Roberts (Fr., Villanova, PA/Radnor) will all look to contribute immediately on the defense. A New Jersey native, Haggerty was named a New Jersey Herald All-Area First Team and All-North Jersey First Team selection, while Loy was a member of the District VI Championship team in Pennsylvania. Roberts, an All-Central League selection and two-time state lacrosse champion, is a keen player with solid skills.

The 2000 Opponents

The Eagles will face four of the twelve 1999 NCAA Tournament participants of which all four were ranked in the top 20, including the 1999 NCAA Champion runner up, the University of Michigan and CAA rival Old Dominion. In one of their most competitive schedules in the history of the women's field hockey program, the Eagles are set to square off against non-league opponents from the top conferences in nation, including the ACC, Big 10, Big East, and Pac 10. Their challenging schedule will take the Eagles to Michigan to face the Wolverines of Michigan and the Spartans of Michigan State in mid-September. October will prove to be no easier for the Eagles as they begin the month with CAA powerhouse James Madison, and non-conference foes Stanford and Appalachian State before traveling to North Carolina to face NCAA Tournament participant and ACC runner-up Wake Forest. The Eagles will squeeze in LaSalle, Albany and potential threat Rutgers before closing out the season at the CAA Women's Field Hockey Championships. With the addition of nine talented newcomers and the determination of the veterans the Eagles will expect to meet each challenge that lies ahead with confidence as they ride the road towards success.