Temple University Athletics
Field Hockey Outlook 2008: Owls Look To Take Next Step
8.28.08 | Field Hockey
Aug. 28, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - Since her arrival at North Broad in 2005, Amanda Janney's tenure as Temple's field hockey coach can be summed up in one word: progress.
In her first year at the helm, she guided the Owls to their first winning season since 1992. In her second campaign, she transformed a team with only one senior and 11 incoming freshman into a 13-game winner and conference semi-finalists. Last season, she guided the Cherry and White to a 15-win campaign and captured the school's first Atlantic 10 regular season crown. So what can Janney and Owls do to keep the progressing in 2008?
"We are definitely looking to win the Atlantic 10 tournament this season," said Janney. "I think it's a great starting point for us considering the way that we have been progressing each season. "
Motivation to succeed this season should not be difficult to come about for this year's squad considering the abrupt ending to last season. With Owls riding high after capturing the first A-10 regular season title in program history, the Owls were stunned by cross-town rival Saint Joseph's 3-2 in the semi-finals of the Atlantic 10 tournament, the same Hawks team Owls clubbed 4-2 just a few days prior. Just like that, dream season was over.
" It was a pretty devastating loss because we felt like we should have done better," said Janney. "It's a great reminder for our seniors this season that we are still underdogs, we are still fighting for a lot of things."
Selected to finish second in the Atlantic 10 in the preseason coach's poll, there are plenty of challenges ahead for the Owls if they hope to capture the much sought after Atlantic 10 championship. First and foremost, the Owls will need to make up for the loss of four crucial seniors: Ashley Bird, Nadia Clendening, Alli Lokey and Leanne Vogelsong.
While it would be understandably difficult for any team to lose one of the conference players of the year, the Cherry and White face the difficult task of not only losing the A-10 Offensive Player of the Year in Lokey, but the Defensive Player of the Year in Bird as well. Add to that the loss of key contributing starters Vogelsong and Clendening and it's clear the Owls will have their work cut out for them.
Still, Janney is quite confidence that this year's squad has what it takes to fill the gaps.
"We lost a lot of good leadership which is always hard to replace, but we have worked really hard in the spring to the point that we already feel confident that people will step in their place," Janney said.
Part of her confidence comes from talent and experience that can be found in seniors Erin Hanshue, Mary Catherine Kinneman, Liz Watto and Jamie Adams.
"All of our rising juniors have stepped up for us throughout the spring," said Janney. "Knowing the kind of leadership that we will get from all of them is very encouraging."
In the cage, Janney expects co-captain Hanshue to be the anchor that holds the entire team together. Last season, Hanshue transformed into one of the top goalkeepers in nation, finishing third in the nation in save percentage and second in the Atlantic 10 for saves. Named Honorable Mention All-Atlantic 10, she started all 21 games for the Owls and ranks sixth in school history with 298 saves.
"Knowing that she is in goals brings a lot of confidence to he entire team," Janney said. "She has been great in helping the young defenders feel comfortable out there."
Kinneman returns for her second consecutive season as a captain. Named to the Second Team Mid-Atlantic Region Team, Kinneman was one of the premier defenders in the entire conference last season. Recording one goal, two assists and four points outside of her defensive responsibilities, she will be heavily relied upon to bolster a young defense.
Adams and Watto both return to a frontline that should be one of the major strengths for the Cherry and White this season. Adams, the 2005 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year at Rhode Island, recorded four goals and nine points in her debut season on North Broad. For Watto, 2008 marks a return to the field after she missed more than half of last season due to injury.
Along with Adams and Watto, a deep frontline that returns nearly everyone from last season will be one of the major strengths for this year's squad. A question mark heading into last season, the return of juniors Dannah Brehm and Mandi Ruth will give the Owls one of the deepest frontlines in the conference. With the loss of Lokey's 26 goals from last season, even more will be expected in 2008.
While making up for Lokey's 26 goals will not be easy, Brehm is expected to step up as the Owls major scoring threat Last season, she finished with 10 goals, eight assists, three game-winning goals and 28 points, trailing only Lokey as the team leader in each category. For her efforts, she was a First Team All-Conference selection.
Also joining the mix will be sophomore Taryn Nichols, who saw action in 19 games as a freshman.
With the huge lose of four starting seniors, three of which were all-conference selections, the success of the 2008 season could ride on the Owls filling major holes in the midfield and backfield. Leading the way for the Owls at midfield will be juniors Kasey Ruth and Charise Young. Last season, Ruth finished first on the team in shot percentage and third in goals, points and game-winning goals. Young started all 21 games for the Owls last season, recording two goals and seven assists for 11 points.
Also fighting for time at midfield is a group of talented but inexperienced players that includes juniors Kristen Wanner, Kate Stewart and sophomores Katey Delaco, Alison Kelly, Stephanie McGinty and Kylee Yetter. All are expected to fight for playing time. Janney also expects Kimmi Hanshue, a transfer from West Chester as well as sister of fellow team member Erin, to see extended action at midfield.
In goal, sophomore Sarah Dalrymple will continue to compete for playing time with Hanshue. "The goalkeeper position is one of our strengths as we have two quality athletes training in goal," Janney said.
In her third full season on the recruiting trail, Janney brings seven new faces to North Broad in 2008.. The news faces are forward Caryn Lambright, midfielders Becca Keener, Kaylee Keener, Bridget Settles, Veronica Radice, and defenders Melissa Brinckman and Carissa Young. One of the most talented classes in program history, Janney expects many of the freshmen to compete for playing time immediately.
"Our coaching staff is extremely pleased with this incoming class of seven great student-athletes," said Janney. "They were all captains from strong high school programs, so they will bring in a good mix of athletic talent and leadership abilities that will strengthen our current team."
The Owls will begin their regular season on Saturday, August 30 when they host Lehigh. Once again, the Cherry and White will face a challenging non-conference schedule, with road contests at Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State and Rutgers, as well as home matches against Delaware, Drexel and Rider. The Owls will begin defense of their Atlantic 10 regular season crown on Friday, October 10 when they host West Chester. After another challenging conference schedule, the Owls hope to be in position to capture the conference crown on their home turf, as Geasey Field will host the A-10 Conference Tournament on November 8th and 9th.
"The non-conference schedule will be challenging once again, but it will be a great test to prepare us for conference play," said Janney. "We know that each game will be difficult, but the coaching staff is confident that this team has what it takes to contend for an A-10 crown."
