Field hockey roster blossoms to a ripe 19

The swarming line of heavy breathing women, red faced with exertion and armed to the hilt with big bad sticks sprint around the field in preparation for their new season.

For those students not well versed in sports, meet Oberlin's Women's Field Hockey team, a no-nonsense crew for a no-nonsense game of ball whacking, stick swinging, aggressive maneuvering and tough cookies. This Saturday the Yeowomen will play Wittenburg University in their first game of the year.

The team enters this season with a stream of new talent presenting a direct advantage in team depth as well as competitive versatility. Collectively, the women demonstrate strong team speed and tough stick skills, Coach Mindy Manolovich said.

The talent notwithstanding, these women are more than just a team. They are always ready to shout out encouragements to teammates during a particular drill or share anecdotes and revelations about their day in their stretching circle during practice.

The team boasts a roster of 19 players, a great advantage over last years relatively modest number of 14, allowing for needed rest breaks throughout the 70 minute game. Goalkeeper and co-captain senior Liz Breakstone, formerly of the Canadian National Field Hockey team, adds strength to a game that relies heavily on the agility of the goal keeper.

The new first-year players demonstrate skill and hold great starter potential, commented Manolovich.

First-years on the team include Ohio local, Emily Johnson,Vanessa Wirth, Emma Vossbrink, Jessica Raynor, Jenny Lusk-Yablick, Pamela Walker and Selena Kansal.

Key veteran returnees include Co-captain Jessie Robinson, Annabeth Macy, Melissa Ghereeb, Bee Chatfield and Maggie McFalls.

The team has also acquired a field intern, Lucinda Tokarski from the University of Vermont and an assistant coach, Frank Rosen, who will join Coach Mindy Manolovich in coaching the team through a successful season and hopefully a distinguished finish in the top half of their conference.

Stepping out: Senior goalkeeper Elizabeth Breakstone prepares for battle. (photo by Stephen Menyhart)