Ephs field hockey strives for consistency

The Ephs look to improve in 2012.

WILLIAMSTOWN – After a rather streaky 2011 season in which the Ephs constructed two three-game win streaks and one three-loss streak before finishing 7-8 overall, this year’s team will look to be more consistent.

Coach Alix Barrale, back for her 13th season, has 14 returners off that 2011 squad, and with an influx of eight first-years, hopes to find the strongest line-up to compete in the ultra-difficult New England Small College Athletic Conference.

At least one NESCAC team has played for the Div. III national championship four of the last five years, with Bowdoin winning the title in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

The good news for Barrale is that three of her top four scorers are among the returnees, as is her starting goalkeeper.

“I think we really built a solid foundation, and my belief is we have trained harder in the off season than ever, and Rob Livingstone [Williams’ Strength and Conditioning Coach] is a big part of that,” Barrale said.

“I think our upper classes have really elevated their level of play.”

Williams has a three-person senior class, with captains Casey Greene and Sarah Eades acting as integral parts of the midfield and back, respectively.

Fellow senior Katie Pettengill is a very good offense-minded midfielder.

The junior class is filled with talent that includes 2011’s leading scorer, Emily Jablonski (six goals, five assists, 17 points) and goalkeeper Ariana Spiliotes, who played every minute of last season and compiled a .723 save percentage and a 2.03 goals against average.

Other juniors include the dynamic Emily Pavlini (two goals, two assists, six points), midfielder Betsy Hart, and defender Anne Longobardo.

Coupled with an up-and-coming sophomore class which collectively saw a lot of playing time as first years, and you can see where the foundation of future success lies.

The sophomore class includes Caitlyn Conlon, who was second on the Ephs with 13 points last season (four goals, five assists), as well as Cary Hairfield, who had five points (one goal, three assists).

In addition, Annie Rojas and Jackie Porfilio anchor the Ephs’ back with Eades.

“I think all these sophomores who played a lot last season, with a year under their belt, they now know what to expect in the NESCAC, which is ultra-competitive,” Barrale said.

“The biggest thing we have to turn around [is that] we scored on ourselves off defensive corners a lot last year, I would like us to tighten that up a bit, and then we have to find a way to finish better on the offensive end.”

Haley Ludd-Luthringshauser and Katie Jolin are sophomores expected to provide the Ephs with more scoring power at forward.

Williams opens its season Saturday with a home game against conference rival Bates at 11 a.m.

Posted by Kameron Z. Spaulding on September 6, 2012. Filed under College Sports,Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry