By Kathryn Swenor
The beginning of the 2016 season for the Drew University field hockey team has already gone underway, with five games completed. The Rangers are under the reins of Jess Gray, who begins her second season as the head coach. The team is looking to beat their record of 4-13 and Conference record of 1-6 from the 2015 season.
The team has seven returners to the team, along with eight new players, including six freshmen. Among the returners are Madi Sheetz (’18), midfielder Cailyn Breski (’17) and forward Huma Sheikh (’17). Defenders Michele Pozyc (’18), Josephine Emanuelli (’19) and Kate Todero (’19) also return with goalkeeper Ryann Callaghan (’19) who was awarded the team’s MVP last season. Pozyc was also awarded Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year last season.
As for the freshmen, Coach Gray has recruited six freshmen to join the team. Among them is midfielders Audrey Carr (’20), Sami Strathern (’20), Emma Thomas (’20), Anniek van der Klij (’20) and defender Madyson Griswold (’20) and forward Mackenzie Hascup (’20). The team also has two new upperclassmen, Brooke Adams (’18) and Danielle Martinez (’18) who are also softball players for the Rangers.
The team began the season with their annual Fall Festival Tournament against Lebanon Valley College and Cabrini College with Montclair State University also competing. The field hockey team dropped the game in overtime with Lebanon Valley College. Callaghan had her career-high with 21 saves. Sheetz made contact with the ball early on in the game giving Drew a 1-0 lead. However, during overtime Lebanon was the first to score and capture the win. On the last day of the Fall Festival Tournament, the Rangers faced off against Cabrini, ultimately losing 0-6.
For their next game, the Rangers faced Widener University who defeated Drew 2-0. During the matchup, goalkeeper Callaghan was busy turning away seven shots while forward Sheetz fired two shots. The team’s luck turned around when they faced Keuka College last Saturday, securing
[Photo courtesy of Drewrangers.com]
Sept. 16, 2016
