Field Hockey Enjoys Another Successful Season
12/17/2003 | Field Hockey
Dec. 17, 2003
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The 2003 University of Richmond field hockey team scored more goals (61) and won more games (18) than any team in program history during a season highlighted by an Atlantic 10 championship, a top-10 national ranking, victories against ranked opponents and an NCAA Tournament berth.
In her third year as head coach, Ange Bradley was at the helm of a team she had led to an A-10 title and NCAA appearance in 2002. After setting numerous records during the 2002 season, expectations were high to exceed these standards.
Wins against top-20 opponents William & Mary, Indiana and Virginia in early September opened the country's eyes to a team that could not be taken lightly. On September 7, Richmond appeared in the NFHCA Poll for the first time since 1992, when it was ranked 17th, holding the 20th spot.
Richmond went undefeated during the month of October, including wins against its six Atlantic 10 opponents and cross-town rival VCU.
The Spiders claimed their second consecutive Atlantic 10 title on November 8 and advanced to the NCAA Play-In game against California on November 11. After a disappointing loss to the Golden Bears, the Spiders were given new life when they were awarded their first-ever, at-large bid to the NCAA tourney.
A rematch from last year's NCAA first round was set, Richmond versus Old Dominion as the Spiders traveled to Durham, N.C. on November 15 to face the Lady Monarchs.
Game day arrived and the Spiders' destiny was in their own hands. Unfortunately this is where their story ends. Old Dominion came out on top, 4-2, ending Richmond's successful 2003 campaign with the best record in program history, 18-5.
The following are the Spiders' individual 2003 season reviews, in numerical order.
#00 Michelle Swartz (Goalie): Started all 23 games... selected to the 2003 Conference All-Academic team...finished the season ranked ninth in national stats with a 1.21 GAA...recorded eight shutouts...led the conference in GAA...set the program record for GAA in a season and career (1.24).
#1 Sarah Abboud (Goalie): Played in four contests...made first collegiate appearance at West Chester University...recorded first collegiate save against Massachusetts at Crenshaw Field.
#2 Heather Wrublesky (Forward): Appeared in all 23 games and started 10...recorded two goals...scored first collegiate goal against Massachusetts at Crenshaw Field.
#4 Danica Haupt (Forward):Played in 13 contests, including one start...registered two shots.
#6 Laura Hur (Forward): Started all 23 games... selected for the 2003 Atlantic 10 All-Conference team...selected to the 2003 STX/NFHCA Division I All-Region second team...tallied three goals and 14 assists...ranked third all-time in single-season assists and 10th in career assists... named A-10 Player of the Week (Oct. 27) for her two goals and two assists against Saint Joseph's...finished the season ranked eighth in national stats with 14 assists.
#7 Inge van Bogerijen (Midfielder): Started all 23 contests...named to the 2003 STX/NFHCA Division I All-Region second team...recorded 10 goals and five assists...two-time A-10 Rookie of the Week (Sept. 15, Oct. 20)... scored the game-winner against William & Mary...recorded first collegiate goal against Stanford...tied for ninth in all-time records for single season goals...ranked third in the conference with 25 points.
#8 Amanda Florio (Midfielder): Appeared in all 23 contests and started eight...scored first collegiate goal against Lafayette...recorded the game-winner against Temple for the Atlantic 10 Championship.
#9 Emma Bradley (Back): Played in 22 games and earned 17 starts...recorded six goals and three assists...tallied four game-winners including one against Harvard...ranked 10th in the Atlantic 10 with 15 points.
#10 Whitney Wells (Forward): Started all 23 contests...Atlantic 10 Player of the Week (Sept. 15)...tallied 10 goals and three assists...took 42 shots...registered two game-winners, including one against VCU...tied for ninth in all-time records for single season goals...ranked fourth in the A-10 with 23 points.
#13 Jessica Stern (Back): Appeared in seven contests...took one shot.
#14 Rhiannon Nolt (Forward): Played in seven games, including one start...earned first collegiate start against Towson.
#15 Colleen Wevodau (Midfielder): Appeared in 21 contests, earning 19 starts...tallied six goals and two assists...took 43 shots...registered two game-winners, including one against A-10 opponent La Salle...recorded first collegiate goal against Stanford...ranked 11th in the Atlantic 10 with 14 points.
#16 Lydia Decembrino (Back): Appeared in all 23 contests, earning 22 starts... named to the 2003 STX/NFHCA Division I All-Region second team... selected to the 2003 A-10 All-Conference team...registered three goals and two assists...took seven shots...finished the season ranked sixth in the nation with seven defensive saves... recorded the game-winner against American on a penalty stroke...capitalized on three of four penalty shots.
#17 Allie Howard (Midfielder): Started all 23 games... selected as Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year...named to the 2003 STX/NFHCA Division I All-Region first team...named to the 2003 All-Conference team...led the team with 15 goals...13 assists ranked second on the squad... scored first collegiate goal against Vermont...led the A-10 and ranked 17th in the country with 43 points...finished the season ranked 14th in assists...recorded the game-winning goal against Virginia...ranks second in all-time records for points, sixth for single season goals and fourth for single season assists...selected as A-10 Player of the Week (Sept. 29).
#18 Ashley Barnes (Back): Appeared in 17 contests with seven starts...tallied two goals...scored first collegiate goal against Saint Joseph's.
#20 Brittney Parrish (Forward): Played in 16 games, including six starts after returning from an injury...recorded one goal...took five shots.
#22 Jana Ebert (Midfielder): Appeared in 11 games, earning two starts...made first collegiate appearance at Appalachian State...took five shots...recorded first collegiate goal against West Chester.
#24 Kerry Sallee (Back): Appeared in one contest.
#26 Lesley Russell (Back): Started all 23 contests...tallied one assist...took seven shots...recorded first collegiate assist against West Chester in the Atlantic 10 semi-finals.
#29 Michelle La Force (Back): Played in all 23 games and earned 22 starts... named to the 2003 A-10 All-Conference team...registered one goal and four assists...tallied only goal of the season against Lafayette.