2016 Centennial Conference Preseason Poll
2016 Centennial Conference Preseason Guide
2016 Schedule
2016 Roster
HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College field hockey team hopes for a return trip to the Centennial Conference tournament in 2016, boosted by an experienced senior class and the addition of a talented freshman class. The Fords have won 10 or more games in five of head coach Jackie Cox's six seasons and will hope to continue the trend this fall.
The Fords went 11-7 in 2015 and the squad is looking for its seventh Centennial Conference tournament appearance in eight years after falling in the semifinals to second seed and eventual champion Ursinus a season ago in Lancaster, Pa. The Fords return four of their top five scorers from the 2015 campaign.
Elena Veale (13 goals), Paige Carson (9 goals), Mason McNulty (5 goals) and senior captain Nicole Witte (4 goals) all return to a team that loses All-Centennial performers Sarah Waldis and Allison Martin. Other returning starters from a season ago include junior captain Stephanie Terrell, Jolie Brakey and Malin Ehrsam.
Defensively, Natalie Leslie (four defensive saves) will help anchor a back line that will protect a goalkeeper crop that loses Lindsey Lopes but returns senior captain Abby Frerotte (17 saves, 2.73 GAA in 5 games) and Danielle Rette (1 game last season) and adds newcomer MacKenzie Somers.
The freshman class, a group that figures to get immediate playing time in the early going for the Fords, includes Caroline Aronowitz (Columbus, Ohio), Juliana Baydar (Manhasset, N.Y.), Rylee Fennell (Lumberton, N.J.), Rachel Gordon (Winnetka, Ill.), Carolin Schmidt (Pleasantville, N.Y.), MacKenzie Somers (Virginia Beach, Va.), Lucy Tortolani (Barrington, R.I.), and Casey Wakai (Wilmington, Del.)
Haverford was picked third in the Centennial Conference preseason poll. Ursinus was picked to defend its 2015 crown (99 points, nine first place votes) while Franklin & Marshall (92, two first place votes) was picked second after securing the number one seed and hosting privileges during the 2015 Centennial Championship. The Fords were predicted one point above fourth place Muhlenberg (72).
Looking ahead to the 2016 schedule, the landscape is dotted with ranked teams from the NFHCA preseason poll. The home opener, slated for Saturday, September 3rd, will see the Fords taking on the No. 8 ranked Messiah Falcons.
On Saturday, September 24, Haverford takes on No. 17 Rowan at Swan Field. Haverford will face off with the two highest-ranked teams in the Centennial Conference in consecutive contests, traveling to Collegeville, Pa. for a tilt with No. 4 Ursinus on October 5 before hosting No. 5 Franklin & Marshall on October 8. Other key showdowns include games against NCAA tournament qualifier Misericordia (Sept. 21) and a battle with Eastern (Sept. 7).
The 2016 Centennial Conference field hockey championship will begin with a first round game on November 2 before the conference semifinals on November 5 and the conference final on November 6 at the home of the conference's regular season champion.