Salem State University Athletics

2010 Field Hockey Preview

The 2010 Salem State field hockey squad will look to improve upon their 8-8 regular season record from a year ago. The Lady Vikings, who finished with a 4-7 conference record, earned the eighth seed in the Little East conference post-season tournament and were eliminated in the opening round by top seed Keene State.

However, head coach Jill McGinnity has a talented an experienced squad that will be hungry to establish themselves as a program to be reckoned with in 2010. Led by senior tri-captains Jess McKenna and Megan Closson, Salem State will once again field one of the top defensive teams in the league. McKenna, who has been one of the top goalkeepers in the league the past three seasons, led the Lady Vikings with a 1.97 goals against average in recording eight victories in 2009. Closson also anchors a very strong defense that was in the top half in the league in goals against average. Both defensive stalwarts will once again be amongst the top players at their position in the Little East in 2010.

On offense Salem State will return its top two play-makers from a season ago. Led by second team all-conference selection April Rossetti, the Lady Vikings will feature one of the top scorers in the Little East. Rossetti finished the 2009 season with 10 goals and three assists. Her 23 points were good enough for seventh place overall in the conference in scoring. Also returning will be tri-captain Karen Atkinson. The junior midfielder had 10 assists a season ago, which placed her at the top of the conference in assists per game. Together they will be counted on to provide the necessary scoring for the Lady Vikings, who hope to move up in the standings this season.

Also expected to contribute will be defensive veterans Nicole Roy and Erin Wilson. Each player saw considerable playing time a year ago and coach McGinnity will utilize both players in an expanded role this season. Midfielder Courtney Lynch is another player to keep an eye on in 2010. The sophomore started all 17 games as a freshman and should become an impact player this year.

Coach McGinnity is optimistic about her teams chances to take the next step and become a consistent contender in the Little East. "I am excited to watch the team come together as a whole. We have many returners who are committed to the program and who are determined to do well in the league. With the loss of only one starter we should be solid on both offense and defense. We just need to put the ball in the net!"

The field hockey team opens their season at home on Tuesday, September 7th against Salve Regina at 3:30 PM.