HUNTINGDON, PA- The Juniata field hockey team returned to the Landmark Tournament in 2013 after a one-year hiatus. The Eagles finished with a 9-11 record overall and a 4-2 mark in the conference. The squad looks to make a return to the postseason in 2014.
The Eagles are a veteran-heavy team with a total of 20 returners. Now in her 17th year at the helm of program, head coach Caroline Gillich is excited about her prospects for the season. “We have great speed in this team and combined with having played together for many years with veterans that know what we are doing, we are excited to grow from there,” Gillich said. “Every year is a new one but we are excited to be starting from a strong position.”
Among the returners are leading scorer Sarah Bilheimer (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom). The junior scored eight goals along with five assists for 21 points in 2013. Fellow junior Allison Groft (Hanover, PA/South Western) along with senior Kortney Showers (Aspers, PA/Biglerville) added three goals each and will be looked to increase their offensive output.
Juniata's defense earned two shutouts and held opponents to one goal or less 10 times in 2013 and averaged just nine penalty corners given up per game to conference opponents. A solid group of returners include juniors Kelsey Leibelsperger (Fleetwood, PA/Fleetwood), Alex Stroud (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) and Cassie Clarence (Coopersburg, Pa./Southern Lehigh) along with senior Tori Buser (Allentown, Pa./Parkland). The quartet averaged over 62 minutes per game and started every contest last year.
The Eagles have two experienced goalkeepers in seniors Shelby Miller (Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts) and Julianne Jones (Middleburg, Pa./Midd-West). The pair split time in the cage and combined for 135 saves and a .789 save percentage last season. “We have two very experienced and confident goalkeepers in our two seniors,” Gillich noted. “They continue to push each other and grow individually. I am constantly seeing new parts of their game developing.”
Five freshmen join this year’s team. “This freshman class is a wonderful group of supportive teammates and a fabulous addition to our team, said Gillich. “They are a calm and steady crew much like the senior class was as freshmen. We may see more of them earning time as they learn our style and continue to grow as players.”
The Eagles won 2-1 at Dickinson last Friday to begin the season. The team opens the home portion of its schedule on Thursday against Wilkes followed by Messiah on Saturday. Both teams won their respective conferences last year and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Juniata goes to Drew on September 27 to begin Landmark Conference play. A rematch with defending conference champion Catholic takes place on November 1. The Cardinals knocked the Eagles out of last year’s Landmark semifinals.
What’s the goal for this year’s team? “The goal is to play our best hockey together no matter who the opponent and to give it all,” said Gillich. “If we do that, the rest should take care of itself. We are confident we are going to have a great year together, how far we go is something I only want to look back on, not ahead to.”