Field Hockey Set to Host Kent State Saturday
August 20, 2010 | Field Hockey
Aug. 20, 2010
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - The University of Louisville field hockey team will undergo a preseason test when the Cards play host to Kent State in a scrimmage game Saturday at 1 p.m. at Trager Stadium.
Louisville returns nine starters and 15 letterwinners - including three All-BIG EAST selections from last season's team. The senior class - one of the largest in recent history - features seven players, each of whom has made significant contributions to the program's success throughout her career.
2010 Season Outlook
Forwards
The Cardinals return a very potent offense in seniors Nicole Youman, Nikki Auker, Simone Attles, junior Heather Stevens and sophomores Amber Thomas, Haley Jurich, and Lacey Jurich. Team captain Youman leads the Cardinal attack. In 2009, the three-time All-BIG EAST and two-time NFHCA West Region selection, dished out a team-high 14 assists and tallied 12 goals for 38 points. Auker's eight goals placed her third on the team in scoring.
Freshmen Jacque Gerrick, Elizabeth Vance, and Erin Schneidtmiller will also lend their goal scoring talents to the forward line.
Midfielders
Louisville's entire starting midfield returns for the third straight season. Seniors Tuli Lim and Rachel Hollenbach, and junior Hayley Turner return to the midfield creating one of the toughest midfield threesomes in the country. Hollenbach has been a consistent starter for the past two years and is a valuable component in the midfield. Lim, a three-year starter and team vice-captain is a two-time all NFHCA West Region selection. Turner led the 2009 Cardinals with 15 goals and 41 points and was named to the All-BIG EAST second team.
Freshmen Michelle Amon and Kelsey Rosenmeier could see action either in the midfield or forward line
Backs
Seniors Jenna Ahern, and Karah Nall, junior Caitlin Collins and sophomore Natasha Leickly return to keep the Cardinal backfield in check. Ahern is a three-year starter and two-year vice captain. Nall is a two-year starter and became an integral part of the Cards' corner team last season, scoring six goals and adding two assists. Collins, a two-year starter, is one of the Cards' most reliable defenders and 2009 All-BIG EAST first team selection. Leickly immediately stepped into a starting role as a freshman, quickly adjusting to the college game and gaining valuable experience along the way.
Freshmen Dominique Pasqualichio, Katie Flannery, Sophie Engelkes, and Nikki Barry will most likely contribute and develop into key players in the backfield.
Goalkeepers
Team Cardinal welcomes redshirt sophomore Erin Conrad to the goal cage. Erin will be stepping in the goal cage left empty by All-American Heather Bustanoby. Erin has prepared over the past two seasons, and has gained valuable experience throughout the spring season and the USA High Performance competition, and was recently named to our US U-21 National Squad.
Freshman Meghan Ziobro will challenge Erin Conrad in the goal.
