Mansfield University Field Hockey

2007 Season Outlook

Mansfield University head field hockey coach Diane Monkiewicz faces a bit of a dilemma as the team goes through its final practice sessions before the season opener on Friday.

How do you top last year?

The 2006 campaign will always be remembered as the “magical year” as a young Mountaineer team surprised themselves and stunned the PSAC by earning the program’s first-ever conference playoff berth.

Along the way, featuring a team that started four freshmen, they broke all the school scoring records and ended the season ranked #9 in the STX/NFHCA National Division II Poll. All of their losses came to nationally ranked teams, including two one-goal losses to undefeated national champion Bloomsburg.

Amazingly Monkiewicz and her entire team feel they can be even more successful in 2007.

There are good reasons for the preseason optimism.

The Mountaineers return eight starters from last year’s record setting team including the top five scorers.  If possible, Mansfield maybe even more offensive in 2007 with the front line of seniors Ryanne Higgins (Newtown/Council Rock) and Keely Jarrett (Pennsburg/Upper Perkiomen) along with sophomores Breanne Tobin (Perkasie/Pennridge) and Carlyn Spangler (Valley Center, CA/Valley Center) accounting for 53 goals last year.

Higgins is a high energy scoring-machine, who set school records for points (48) and assists (12)  in 2006 while her 18 goals were the second most in school history. The fiery-redhead ranked in the top five in points, goals and assists in the PSAC last season earning All-American honors. Jarrett is one of the top scorers in school history and finished third on the team in points last season. Her 13 goals were the  fourth most in a season in school history and also she ranked among the top ten in the conference in points, goals and assists.

Tobin recorded the most impressive rookie season in school history since All-American Gretchen Reschke scored a school record 20 goals during her freshman year in 1999. Tobin finished her freshman season with 17 goals and 38 points while being named to All-American honors. Spangler, who started 20 games as a freshman, added five goals and four assists to earn national All-Rookie team honors.

As dangerous as it is, the front line will be even more potent with juniors Rebekah Brown (Equinonk,NY/Hancock Central) and Laura Carden (Friendsville/Montrose) providing experienced backup along with sophomore Kayla Carter (Danville/Danville) and freshman Amanda Yohn (Muncy/Muncy).

No one may be as important to this season’s success as All-PSAC center-mid Shana Markwis (Milford/Delaware Valley). One of the most athletic players in school history, Markwis’s outstanding stick work over the past two seasons has contributed greatly to the Mountaineers success. Over the past two years she has scored 14 goals with seven assists.

Brittany Kostishion (Perkasie/Pennridge), who played in 20 games including two starts as a freshman last season, will move into a starting spot on at midfield along with fellow sophomore Kelly Klimkowski (Lebanon/Cedar Crest).

The defense will be keyed by a couple of “super sophomores” in Courtney Grunza (Nicholson/Lackawanna Trail) and Jenna Shaub (Quarryville/Solanco). Both started all 21 games as freshman last year were Grunza was considered by many as the best freshman defensive player in the PSAC.

Junior Shantee Proctor (Forty Fort/Wyoming Valley West) started a game last season and will move into the other defensive starting spot this year with fellow junior Christi Carter (Apalachin,NY/Owego) providing strong backup.

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise from last season was the emergence of Brianna DeLuca (West Grove/Avon Grove) in the goal. DeLuca, who started every game as a sophomore last year, finished the season among the conference leaders while setting a school record with five shutouts. Deluca will be backed up again by sophomore Hayley Tuckey (Courtright,Ontario/SCIS).