Fact Sheet
This year, the Rowan University field hockey team will have to replace its top four scorers from 2011 and three New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) first team selections. While filling those holes won’t be easy, head coach Penny Kempf is confident in her squad to not only be competitive, but to make a long postseason run. Last year, the Profs finished 13-7 overall with a 4-2 conference mark.
“Our long term goals are to win the NJAC, go to the NCAA tournament and to win a national championship. We don’t ever want to settle for second,” said Kempf. “Our short term goals are learning to play with composure in stressful situations, play within ourselves and not let another team dictate what we are doing.”
Despite the loss of nine seniors, Rowan was chosen third in the NJAC Preseason Coaches Poll and ranked 18th in the Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Preseason Poll. The reigning conference champions, The College of New Jersey, were selected as the favorite while Montclair State University was picked to finish second. Rounding out the rankings were Kean University, Richard Stockton College, William Paterson University and Ramapo College. This season, the Profs will play five teams (Messiah College, Catholic University, Montclair State University, Salisbury University and TCNJ) ranked in the top 25 of the national poll with three of those matchups coming on the road.
“We’re in one of the hardest conferences in the country. Our strength of schedule is very difficult,” said Kempf. “Our program isn’t up and coming, we’re already there. We’ve fallen short a little bit but we want to play the best possible teams we can.”
Knowing how challenging their conference will be, the Profs are hoping that their returning leading scorer, Amy McKeever (jr. West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford), can flourish in her new position at forward. In her first two seasons, McKeever was a midfielder, but with a need to fill the void left up front, she was moved. McKeever totaled 14 points with five goals and four assists last year. She received NJAC All-Conference honorable mention.
“Amy has shown what she can do in practice and she’s playing with more intensity. She actually wanted to be a forward but I kept her at mid in the past because that’s where we needed the help,” added Kempf. “So Amy’s completely a forward and she’s thrilled with that and thriving.”
Joining McKeever at forward are veterans Katie Griffis (sr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.), Kellie Campbell (so. Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson), Kayla Bruhn (so. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill W.), Allison DiMenna (so. Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro) and Kaitlin Hill (sr. Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville). Griffis produced three goals and three assists. As freshmen, Campbell and Bruhn each had one goal. Rookies Samantha Potoczak (fr. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) and Jenna Pressler (fr. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) will challenge for playing time in their first campaign.
With new players stepping up on attack, the Profs will need their captains, Erin Bernat (sr. Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro) and Kelsey O’Neill (sr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee), to embrace their leadership roles and successfully guide their teammates on and off the field. Last season, Bernat totaled four goals and five assists for 13 points. O’Neill led the team with four defensive saves while tallying one goal and one assist.
“They are a great example for the players. They have great character, great morals and they hold people accountable. On top of all that, they’re hardworking and provide leadership on the field,” continued Kempf. “They want to win and for their team to be successful. They’ll do whatever it is that they can even if it means taking away something from them. I can’t say enough about them.”
The Profs will have Bernat and O’Neill anchoring the defense along with Ashli Nieves (jr. Newfield, NJ/Delsea Reg.), Erika Mecchella (so. Gloucester, NJ/Gloucester), Victoria Lawton (so. Pittsgrove, NJ/A.P. Schalick), Jenna O’Sullivan (so. Sicklerville, NJ/Timber Creek), Aubrey Fisher (so. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee), Megan Neher (so. Pittsgrove, NJ/A.P. Schalick) and Kelsey Chatten (fr. Galloway, NJ/Absegami).
In the Rowan cage, goalies Jen Goldberg (sr. Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) and Steph Colombo (jr. Moorestown, NJ/Camden Catholic) return. Goldberg started 14 games and compiled a 1.91 goals against average and a 73.3 save percentage. She ranked third in the NJAC in shutouts (3), fifth in saves per game (4.62) and total saves (74). Goldberg was named the NJAC Defensive Player of the Week one time. Newcomer Shara Baldi (fr. Wayne NJ/Wayne Hills) will compete for playing time in her first season.
At midfield, the Profs have back Marisa Schoepflin (sr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.), Jess Kotelnicki (jr. Columbus, NJ/Northern Burlington Reg.), Dana Hill (jr. Fairfield, NJ/West Essex), Karlee Henderson (so. Elmer, NJ/Woodstown) and Maxine Lopez (so. West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford). Schoepflin registered 10 points with four goals and two assists. Henderson chipped in with a goal. Johanna James (fr. Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester) and Marisa Marini (fr. Carneys Point, NJ/Padua Academy (DE)) have the potential to contribute right away in their first season. In high school, Marini was a two-time All-Conference performer. Rowan also added rookies Francesca Rosati (fr. Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights), Alisa Perez (fr. Vineland, NJ/Vineland), Sam Browne (fr. West Milford, NJ/West Milford), Emily Bucher (fr. Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester) and Heidi Avrov (fr. Towaco, NJ/Montville Twp.) to the midfield.
“The freshmen are very strong and they play very aggressive,” stated Kempf. “In the game of field hockey it’s not like other sports where they’re playing in town leagues, we’re still learning the game and they haven’t peaked yet. It’s going to take a little bit of time for them to develop but I’m happy where we are.”
Between their trusted captains, the continued emergence of McKeever and the incoming freshmen, the Profs are ready for the upcoming season and are expecting nothing but success when it comes to their conference games.
“My philosophy is if you want to be the best you have to beat the best,” said Kempf.
Rowan travels to Haverford College to start the season on August 31 at 4:30 p.m. The home opener is on September 5 against Cabrini College at 7 p.m. The Profs’ first conference test will be at Richard Stockton College on September 18.
