Field Hockey 2022 Preview
By Stevie Potter
After finishing their 2021 season with a disappointing 4-14 (2-4 PL) record, the Terriers look to change the tide this fall, and as their preseason comes to a close, they seem to possess all the necessary tools to do so.
The Terriers played three preseason games in preparation for their upcoming season opener against the Providence Friars today at 1 p.m. These matches took place against two of BU’s usual opponents, University of Maine and Boston College, as well as Ulster University, international competition traveling from Ireland.
With seventeen regular season games ahead of them, here’s what to watch with this year’s Field Hockey squad:
Changes in Staff
Tori Roche rejoins the BU staff this season, and she’s had great success over the past couple years as an assistant. Roche served as volunteer assistant coach during BU’s 2020 season, helping the team to go 5-1 in their shortened slate. This past year, Roche worked behind the bench with Tufts University, aiding them to a 15-5 record.
With Roche back at BU alongside Head Coach Sally Starr, who returns for her 42nd season at the helm, and Associate Coach Tracey Paul, she will look to continue the winning trend over the past few years.
Freshmen Woes
Six freshmen will be joining the Terriers this season: Megan Wetzel, Celia Nocivelli, Natalie Epperson, Amalia Preece, Maddie Hudson and Martu Coulo.
Of these six, two of them – Hudson and Nocivelli – are currently on the mend from recent injuries, according to the team’s Instagram page. Hudson suffered from a knee injury over the summer, but she has been making strides during preseason to return. Nocivelli underwent surgery on her ankle in order to fix a previous injury after the Terriers’s preseason game against Ulster.
On top of that, due to unforeseen visa delays, Preece’s arrival from her native Chile has been delayed a few weeks, and she will likely miss multiple games to start off the season, according to the team’s Instagram.
Anderson and Borzymowski Earn Preseason Honors
Now going into her sophomore year, Payton Anderson put up the most points on last year’s Terriers team by a wide margin, totaling 24 points, with Thalia Steenssens slotting in second with eight points. Anderson was named to the 2021 All-Patriot League Second Team, and has already been named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team, alongside senior Rachel Borzymowski.
Senior Leaders
In addition to five seniors on the roster, the Terriers will be led by one graduate student: Casey Thompson. Thompson had the most assists (6) on the team in 2021. Along with Thompson, Anderson and Steenssens, senior Ellie McIntyre (5 points in 2021) rounds out four of the team’s top five scorers returning from last year. Rebecca Janes, who finished second on the team in assists (5) and third in points (7), graduated.
Looking to replace Janes’ production and add more consistent scoring behind Anderson, the Terriers have plenty questions to be answered in the early parts of the season if they want to improve on last year’s record.
The Terriers will start off against the Providence Friars at 1 p.m. today at Boston College’s Field Hockey Complex in Newton for their first official match of 2022.