Preseason Coaches Poll | Record Book
Bryn Mawr (2-14 in 2011, 0-10 CC, 11th place)
Head Coach: Marci Scheuing (Mansfield '05), 3rd season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2011 Statistics
Key Returnees: Madison Beckmann, Soph, M, 6-1-13; Holly Constants, Soph, M, 1-1-3; Mikah Farbo, Soph, F/M, 1-0-2; Faith Westdorp, Jr, GK, 71.2 sv%.
Key Losses: Manya Steinfeld, D, 2-0-4.
Preseason Poll Projection: 11th
Outlook: The Owls welcome back a talented sophomore class, led by Beckmann, the team's leading scorer a year ago. Constants and Farbo have a year of experience under their belt, and Westdorp is a veteran presence in the cage. Bryn Mawr should continue to improve in 2012.
Dickinson (5-12 in 2011, 1-9 CC, 10th place)
Head Coach: Caitlin Williams (Duke '08), 2nd season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2011 Statistics
Key Returnees: Celeste Pilato, Soph, F, 5-1-11; Tanya Bellingham, Sr, M, 4-2-10; Alex Boorse, Sr, D, 3-2-8; Lauren Wyman, Jr, F, 3-0-6; Laura Hitchings, Sr, D, 1-3-5; Caroline Kapustynski, Soph, D, 0-4-4; Katy Schlechtweg, Jr, GK, 75.8 sv%.
Key Losses: Lauren Kelly, M, 2nd team All-CC; 6-5-17; Katie Mersky, F, 5-3-13.
Preseason Poll Projection: 8th
Outlook: The Red Devils suffered some growing pains in Williams' first season but the experience gained may prove dividends this fall. Pilato had a strong rookie season and leads the offense along with Wyman. Bellingham mans the midfield in front of Boorse, Hitchings and Kapustynski. Schlectweg was second in the CC in saves but hopes to cut down on her workload in 2012, as the Devils look to contend for a playoff berth.
Franklin & Marshall (17-4 in 2011, 10-0 CC, lost to Ursinus in CC final, 2-1; lost in NCAA 3rd round to Middlebury, 2-1)
Head Coach: Melissa Mariano (Middlebury '04), 5th season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2011 Statistics
Key Returnees: Maura Hennigan, Sr, M, 3-9-15, 1st team All-CC; Avery Koep, Soph, GK, 74.7 sv%, 8 ShO, Honorable Mention All-CC; Chelsey Talhelm, Sr, F, 16-4-36; Steph McDonald, Sr, D, 2-4-8; Diana Aulisa, Sr, M, 2-2-6.
Key Losses: Becky Willert, F, 29-5-63, CC Player of the Year; Ally McLaren, F, 10-7-27, 2nd team All-CC; Kimmy Fisher, B, 1-3-5, Honorable Mention All-CC.
Preseason Poll Projection: 1st
Outlook: The Diplomats had a memorable 2011 season, reaching the Centennial final and the third round of the NCAAs, but the Blue and White wants more this fall. Replacing Willert will not be easy, but the return of Hennigan, who led the CC in assists, and Talhelm will ease the loss. McDonald and Aulisa provide solid defense in front of Koep, who had a CC-leading eight shutouts a year ago. Given its returning veterans, F&M, ranked 10th nationally in the preseason, may be the team to beat in 2012.
Gettysburg (7-9 in 2011, 5-5 CC, T-6th place)
Head Coach: Barb Jordan (Penn State '86), 11th season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2011 Statistics
Key Returnees: Liz Baron, Jr, M, 6-3-15, 2nd team All-CC; Hayward Sawers, Sr, F, 5-5-15; Kelly Spieker, Jr, F, 5-0-10; Emily Kleinburd, Sr, M, 2-1-5; Ashleigh Guise, Jr, F, 2-1-5; Megan Feeg, Sr, GK, 72.0 sv%.
Key Losses: Martha Tahsler, B, 0-0-0, Honorable Mention All-CC; Megan Bernstein, B, 0-0-0; Sarah Cole, F, 9-2-20.
Preseason Poll Projection: 6th
Outlook: The Bullets missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002 a year ago but look to return with a host of starters back in the fold from last season. Baron, Sawers and Spieker lead the offense, combining for 16 goals last fall. Kleinburd and Guise are experienced, while Feeg provides veteran leadership in goal. Gettysburg should be knocking on the playoff door come the end of October.
Haverford (11-8 in 2011, 6-4 CC, lost to Franklin & Marshall in CC semifinals, 3-2)
Head Coach: Jackie Cox (St. Joseph's '06), 3rd season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2011 Statistics
Key Returnees: Bridget Gibbons, Sr, M, 5-6-16, 1st team All-CC; Mary Hobbs, Sr, F, 21-8-50, 2nd team All-CC; Christine Quake, Sr, D, 0-1-1; Bryn Bissey, Jr, F, 7-1-15; Sydney Hyder, Sr, GK, 74.4 sv%, 2 ShO.
Key Losses: Roxanne Jaffe, B, 7-5-19, 1st team All-CC; Margaret Selsor, M, 5-4-14; Juliana Morgan-Trostle, F, 9-6-24.
Preseason Poll Projection: 3rd
Outlook: The Fords played their best hockey at the end of the 2011 season, winning their last four games to reach the CC semifinals where they took F&M to overtime before falling. With the return of Gibbons and Hobbs, who combined for 26 goals and 14 assists last year, Haverford may have the most potent scoring duo in the Conference. Bissey also provides offensive spark, while Quake is the defensive leader in front of Hyder. Haverford, who received votes in the national preseason poll, will contend for the Centennial title this fall.
Johns Hopkins (10-8 in 2011, 7-3 CC, lost to Ursinus in CC semifinals, 2-0)
Head Coach: Megan Callahan Fraser (Maryland '96), 16th season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2011 Statistics
Key Returnees: Maggie Phillips, Sr, F/B, 14-0-28, 1st team All-CC; Liane Tellier, Sr, M, 5-3-13, 2nd team All-CC; Meghan Kellett, Sr, F, 5-2-12; Elizabeth Peijnenburg, Sr, GK, 68.8 sv%.
Key Losses: Amy Wharton, B, 0-0-0, 1st team All-CC; Kim Stein, GK, 81.4 sv%, 1st team All-CC; Ali Bahneman, M/B; Annie Shepard, F, 9-3-21; Carly Bianco, F, 5-6-16.
Preseason Poll Projection: 4th
Outlook: The Blue Jays, who received votes in the national preseason poll, will lean on their offense while a youthful defense comes together early in the season. Phillips was one of the top goal scorers in the CC and will team with Tellier and Kellett up front. The backline must replace a pair of first-team All-Conference players. You can never count out a Johns Hopkins team and this year is no exception.
McDaniel (10-8 in 2011, 4-6 CC, 8th place)
Head Coach: Melissa Miranda Jones (Longwood '99), 7th season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2011 Statistics
Key Returnees: Paige Messersmith, Sr, M, 4-3-11, 1st team All-CC; Katie Jones, Sr, M, 3-3-9; Sarah Meszler, Jr, F, 7-0-14; Natalie Price, Soph, F/M, 3-4-10.
Key Losses: Hope Battista, B, 1-1-3, Honorable Mention All-CC; Michelle Deitrick, B, 2-0-4; Lindsay Riordon, F, 12-2-26; Katie Corson, F, 3-4-10; Stephanie Thomson, GK, 78.3 sv%, 3 ShO.
Preseason Poll Projection: 9th
Outlook: The Green Terror looks to return to the Centennial tournament for the first time since 2006. Messersmith is one of the top players in the Conference and leads the midfield. Meszler is the top returning goal scorer and Jones and Price will be counted on for more offensive production. The defense has some holes with graduation losses at back and goal. McDaniel will need to new defense to come together quickly to make a run at the CC playoffs.
Muhlenberg (5-12 in 2011, 2-8 CC, 9th place)
Head Coach: Megan Eddinger (Gettysburg '01), 9th season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2011 Statistics
Key Returnees: Kayleigh Thies, Soph, M, 11-5-27; Mariah Alston, Jr, M, 0-1-1; Devon Barber, Sr, M, 4-1-9; Dayna Hovern, Jr, F, 3-1-7; Kristen Dornenburg, Sr, GK, 72.7 sv%.
Key Losses: Brittany DeAngelis, B, 0-0-0, Honorable Mention All-CC; Jillian Katz, F, 2-1-5; Renee Norton, M/B, 0-3-3.
Preseason Poll Projection: 10th
Outlook: The Mules struggled through a disappointing 2011 campaign and hopes that the lessons of last fall can be turned into victories this season. Thies had an outstanding rookie year with 11 goals and looks for even better things in 2012. Barber and Hovern will provide offensive help, while Alston leads the midfield and Dornenburg the defense. It may be too much to ask to reach the playoffs, but 'Berg will be improved this fall.
Swarthmore (8-10 in 2011, 5-5 CC, T-6th place)
Head Coach: Lauren Fuchs (Connecticut '81), 5th season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2011 Statistics
Key Returnees: Sophia Agathis, Sr, M, 6-5-17, 2nd team All-CC; Nia Jones, Jr, F, 9-3-21, 2nd team All-CC; Aarti Rao, Jr, M, 3-4-10; Anne Rosenblatt, Jr, D, 0-7-7; Beth Johnson, Soph, F, 7-7-21; Katie Teleky, Sr, F, 7-2-16; Gabriella Capone, Jr, GK, 72.1 sv%, 2 ShO.
Key Losses: none
Preseason Poll Projection: 7th
Outlook: The Garnet may be on the verge of its first Centennial playoff appearance since 2000 this fall as everyone returns from a squad that missed the tournament by one victory a year ago. Agathis, Jones and Teleky are a potent scoring trio, while Johnson hopes to improve on a strong rookie season. Rosenblatt is the leader of the defense in front of Capone. Swarthmore may be underrated by the coaches and could be the surprise team of 2012.
Ursinus (19-4 in 2011, 9-1 CC, defeated Franklin & Marshall in CC final, 2-1; lost to New Jersey in NCAA semifinals, 2-0)
Head Coach: Janelle Benner (Old Dominion '06), 2nd season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2011 Statistics
Key Returnees: Catherine Bitterly, Sr, F, 6-2-14; Jenna Stover, Jr, M, 2-1-5; Rachel Pandl, Sr, M, 6-1-13; Abby Wood, Jr, F, 3-3-9; Jen Pappas, Sr, M, 0-0-0.
Key Losses: Alyssa Thren, F, 22-8-52, 1st team All-CC; Nicole Hanby, B, 7-5-19, 1st team All-CC; Corinne Freeman, F, 20-7-47, 2nd team All-CC; Jill Lukens, GK, 83.9 sv%, 5 ShO, 2nd team All-CC.
Preseason Poll Projection: 2nd
Outlook: The eight-time defending champion Bears look to keep their run going as it is time for Bitterly, Pandl and Pappas to make their names in the UC hockey annals. Wood joins Bitterly up front, while Stover will complement Pandl in the midfield. Pappas will have to provide senior leadership in front of a new keeper. Ursinus' run may face its toughest challenge in 2012 but the Bears, ranked sixth nationally in the preseason, have the talent to make it nine titles in a row.
Washington College (10-8 in 2011, 6-4 CC, lost to Haverford in CC 1st round, 3-2)
Head Coach: Rachel Boyle (Ohio '96), 11th season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2011 Statistics
Key Returnees: Kristen Wille, Sr, M, 5-4-14, Honorable Mention All-CC; Stephanie Harryman, Jr, GK, 78.4 sv%, Honorable Mention All-CC; Hilary Manion, Sr, M, 8-5-21; Heather Noto, Jr, B, 0-0-0; Claire McAuliffe, Soph, F, 12-2-26; Gabby Tarbert, Sr, F, 8-0-16.
Key Losses: Emily Trees, F, 9-8-26, 1st team All-CC; Gussie Reilly, M, 8-7-23, 2nd team All-CC; Emily Broomell, B, 0-0-0;
Preseason Poll Projection: 5th
Outlook: The Shorewomen look for a third consecutive Centennial playoff appearance behind a potent returning offense. McAuliffe had an outstanding rookie campaign with 12 goals, while Tarbert and Manion each added eight. Wille is the headliner at midfield, while Hillary Kane leads the defense in front of Harryman, an All-CC keeper. Washington College has been a regular in the hunt for the playoffs and 2012 should be no exception.