The Colby Echo

Issue date: 9/16/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Chris Hoder

Saturday, the women's field hockey team had its first chance to show just what it was were capable of in their game against 12th ranked Trinity College. True to New England Small College Athletic College standards, the game was an exciting, hard fought battle, with Colby coming back twice from two goal deficits, only to lose in the fifth minute of overtime on a breakaway goal from Christy Bradley '11 of the Bantams.

Heather Quadir '11 proved she had no summer rust by tallying up her first goal and first assist of the season. Ashley Wagner '10 also showed off her skills as she managed to chase down a pass from Quadir and tip it into the net for the first goal of the contest. The third goal came from the stick of Hannah O'Brien '12 who recorded her first collegiate goal to send the game into overtime.

The defense also looked good, with Liz Fontaine '11 recording nine saves and dealing with a 16-14 Trinity shot advantage.
Head Coach Amy Bernatchez goes into the season with high hopes for her team. "I believe our team will be much more balanced overall this year. Last year we were stringer on attack, and struggled defensively. We have been focusing on our individual defensive skills and overall team defense. We are much improved defensively," Bernatchez said.

With returning players Quadir and Meryl Poulin '11, it's easy to believe that the offensive firepower that characterized the team last year will continue to be an important part of its game this season. Poulin returns after leading Colby in scoring and earning second team All-NESCAC honors with eight goals and 10 assists for 26 points. Quadir was just behind Poulin with a team-best nine goals and seven assists for 25 points.

To add to the tested power of the Quadir-Poulin offense, O'Brien will play on Poulin's right in the midfield, and Lucy Gerrity '12 will take over the left side. Quadir will also be joined by a first-year up front as Sally Klose '12 will be patrolling the left side while Ashley Wagner '10 will hold down the right side.
The defense will also be anchored by a group of returners, Meghan Saccone '10 at sweeper, Jevan Jammal '10 on the left side and Fonatine in goal, who played every minute of the 2008 season.

Even with this very strong group of returners and new talent, the Mules know that this season isn't going to be a walk in the park. In a division as tough as the NESCAC, wins are always hard to come by. Nonetheless, Bernatchez has faith in her team's ability to compete with the best of them. "The NESCAC is always tough," Bernatchez said, "every year the best teams come out of the NESCAC. But we've come a long way in the past year, and the chemistry of this team is amazing. The team arrived in preseason in very good physical condition and with sharp skills. They are capable of great things and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do this season."

Colby has not yet managed to get that ever-elusive opening NESCAC win, but Bernatchez and team remain positive and hopeful for their chances this season. "Every game is a big game. We try not to look ahead, we'll take each day and prepare for each opponent like it is the biggest game of the season," Bernatchez said.

The Mules' next game will be on Saturday, September 19 at Wesleyan University in Middletown Conn. The Cardinals fell by a three point defecit in their season opener to William College.

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