Field hockey kicks off 2015 season with weekend California swing

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University field hockey squad looks to dominate the start of the 2015 season with all 21 players ready to help the team reach their season goals.

Despite a 4-13 overall finish a year ago that left the Bulldogs a few wins shy of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament, the team heads into 2015 with a more complete roster ready to show the league what they're capable of.

"We have a lot more to offer than people are expecting," said junior Victoria Danby (Lancaster, Mass.), citing a disappointing ranking in the preseason coaches' poll.  "We are 110 percent aiming for the [MAAC] Tournament."

The Bulldogs fell short of the tournament last season, after having reached the semifinals against Quinnipiac in 2013.

"It's absolutely realistic for us to be in the MAAC Tournament this year," said head coach Shaunessy Saucier.

What the unit will need is a full team effort in order to reach that goal. Saucier is impressed by the shape all of her players have reported to camp in and the readiness of the six freshmen that joined the 21-man roster.

One key returner for the Bulldogs is senior defender Mikayla Fitzmaurice (Skowhegan, Maine), who earned 16 starts last season, notching six points off four assists and one goal.

Bronwyn Walton (North Vancouver, B.C.) is back for her senior year and looking to contribute offensively, making the shift from defender to forward this season. Walton scored her first career goal last year at Holy Cross and totaled 10 shots for the Bulldogs.

Also back for the Bulldogs' attack is Danby, who recorded the team's second-highest points total (12) on the 2014 season off eight assists and two goals. The forward's eight helpers led the team, making her a major contributor to Bryant's attack.

Junior Elena Borovskis (Pequannock, N.J.) finished last season with eight points off four goals, proving she could find the back of the cage for the Black and Gold.

Classmate Erin Karcher (Kennet Square, Pa.) will return to the midfield and will contribute on both sides of the ball, providing defense and transition into the offense. Karcher started all 17 games for the Bulldogs, finishing last year with seven points on one goal and five assists.

All the offensive firepower will be necessary for Bryant's attack after the team graduated two-time All-MAAC First Team selection forward Rosie Bird. Bird led the team with 22 total points off 10 goals and two assists, despite missing four games due to injury.

The team also graduated three-year starting goalkeeper Megan Hancock, who finished her Bryant career as the program leader in wins (26), save percentage (.735), goals against average (3.04) and shutouts (5).

After playing behind Hancock for three seasons, the Bulldogs return senior Jenna Limone (Branford, Conn.), who made her first career appearance against Saint Louis last season, holding Billikens scoreless in the second half.

Also in contention for the goalkeeper position is freshman Marissa Elizardo (North Wales, Pa.).

"We have a really good unit on the field," said Saucier. "They're working together really well, communicating really well and working off of each other great."

The Bulldogs will look to apply that teamwork to start the 2015 season, traveling to the Golden State for three games starting Friday, August 28 against Pacific at 6 p.m. ET. The West Coast crusade continues with matchups against California (Berkeley) on Sunday, August 30 and UC Davis on Monday, August 31.

All three competitors have joined the America East Conference for the 2015 season. Pacific, California and UC Davis all tied for second in the West Division Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Last season, Pacific finished at 7-13 overall and 1-3 in the NorPac Conference, facing six of the country's top-20 teams. The Tigers continue to put themselves to the test this season, taking on No. 4 Syracuse following their matchup with Bryant.

California took on seven top-20 teams last season, finishing 8-11 overall and 3-3 in the Pac-12 Conference, while UC Davis played three top-20 teams, finishing last year at 6-14 overall and 0-4 in the NorPac Conference.

UC Davis will prove to be another competitive matchup for Bryant after the Bulldogs lost to the Aggies, 2-1, in double overtime last season. The 2012 season marked the last time the Black and Gold faced all three California teams. The squad fell to Pacific, 2-1, UC Davis, 3-1, and California, 5-0, during its last three-game west coast series.

"The difference this year is we will come back with three wins." Walton said.