Field Hockey 9/1/2009 3:32:55 PM

Colgate Field Hockey To Host Central Michigan and Rider

ON TAP THIS WEEK: Colgate will look to rebound from a loss in the season opener as it hosts Central Michigan and Rider this weekend in Hamilton. The matchup with CMU is set for a 7 p.m. start Friday evening at Tyler's Field, while Sunday's contest with Rider is at noon.

MEET THE COACH: Cathy Foto is in her 21st season at the helm of the Raider program. The Hartford, Conn., native took over controls of the program back in the 1989 season. During her career at Colgate, she has accumulated a 143-195-7 record, including a 9-9 mark in 2008. A two-time Patriot League Coach of the Year in 1996 and 2004, Foto has coached several all-Patriot League selections and under her tutelage, eight student-athletes have combined to win 10 different PL awards – Tournament MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Goalie of the Year, or Rookie of the Year. On September 24, 2008, Foto notched her first upset of a top 20 program as Colgate stunned 18th-ranked Albany 1-0 on a goal by Lauren Carey.

THE SERIES: CMU leads the all-time series with Colgate 2-1. Colgate's lone win against the Chippewas came in 2007 in the form of a 2-1 victory at Tyler's Field. The Raiders lead the all-time series with Rider 11-5, including winning the last three contests from the Broncs.

LAST YEAR'S MEETINGS: Colgate split the two games with CMU and Rider. The Chippewas dealt Colgate a 7-1 defeat in Mount Pleasant. MAC Player of the Year Samantha Sandham netted three goals and dished out an assist, while Moyra Betuzzi added a pair of goals. CMU scored three goals in the first 19 minutes and led 4-1 at intermission. Allison Waugh scored Colgate's goal from Katelyn Nerbonne at the 25 minute mark. CMU outshot the Raiders 19-14.

Colgate downed Rider 3-1 in New Jersey September 7 to complete a two-game weekend sweep in the Garden State. The Raiders scored the game's first three goals. Colgate took a 1-0 lead into intermission thanks in part to a goal from Mika Ella-Tang. Waugh scored what was the game winner early in the second half, while Laura Flisnik accounted for the third and final score. Colgate outshot the Broncs 18-13. Sarah Pedersen turned aside eight shots in the victory. Two of Colgate's three goals came directly off penalty corner attempts.

LAST TIME OUT FOR COLGATE: The Raiders dropped a 2-1 decision to Monmouth in the season opener. The Hawks took a 1-0 advantage into intermission and got the eventual game winner with a little less than eight minutes left. Colgate avoided the shutout bid with a goal with 3:29 remaining.

IT FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME: Sara Kongkatong scored Colgate's first goal of the season with 3:29 left in the loss to the Hawks. It was her first collegiate goal. Kongkatong was honored as the Patriot League Rookie of the Week for her performance against Monmouth.

SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN: Friday's tilt will serve as the Chippewas season opener. CMU has 10 letterwinners and six starters back from an 8-12 team that finished third in the Mid American Conference. Despite the loss of Conference Player of the Year Samantha Sandham (13-9-39), the Chippewas return three-time first team all-league honoree Kim Erasmus (3-10-16) and all-MAC Tournament team goalie Melinda Curran.

SCOUTING RIDER: The Broncs are off to a 1-0 start thanks in part to an 8-2 victory over Patriot League member Lehigh. Rider scored four times in the game's first 20 minutes. Virginia Egusquiza posted two goals and handed out two helpers, while Jackie Adams and Margaret Ecke each scored twice. The Broncs outshot the Engineers 26-10 in the victory. Rider returns 17 letterwinners and four starters off last year's 13-7 squad.

IN NEED OF A PROGRAM: While Colgate returns nine letterwinners from last year's squad, the roster is dominated by newcomers. Ten newcomers are expected to be dressed for this weekend's contests.

WHAT'S BACK FOR COLGATE: Two second team all-Patriot League honorees highlight the returning cast for the 2009 edition of Colgate field hockey. Senior Katelyn Nerbonne (4 goals, 7 assists, 15 points) and junior Laura Denenga (6 goals, 1 assist, 13 points) along with three-year letterwinner Mika Ella-Tang (6 goals, 9 assists, 21 points) give Colgate a nice trio of offensive threats. Junior Allison Waugh (3 goals, 6 points) and sophomore Peyton Hawkins started all 18 games for the Raiders in 2008. Senior net minder Sarah Pedersen also started all 18 contests and posted 107 saves along with two shutouts.

HARD TO REPLACE: In 2009, Cathy Foto is replacing five starters, four of which were focal points to the program the previous four years. Lauren Carey, a first team all-league and second team all-region honoree, graduated as the program's second leading point producer (34 goals, 81 points), while another first team all-league selection, Maddie Watrobski left as Colgate's all-time leader in assists (27). Laura Flisnik (3 goals, 6 assists, 12 points) garnered second team all-Patriot League honors in 2008 and Kaley Zaharris was a formidable name at defender for the Raiders during her career.

LOOKING AT THE LISTS: Mika Ella-Tang enters her final collegiate season with 10 assists, which ranks tied for 14th all-time. She will need four more helpers to move into the top 10 for her career. Ella-Tang's nine assists in 2008 ranked tied for fourth at Colgate for a single-season. Katelyn Nerbonne ranks right behind Ella-Tang with nine career assists and she can move into the top 10 with five more. The senior posted seven in 2008, which was tied for eighth. Sarah Pedersen needs two more wins in net to tie Julie Clark for fifth all-time with 19 career wins.

PICKED THIRD IN PRESEASON POLL: The 2009 Patriot League Preseason Poll was released and Colgate was chosen to finish third according to head coaches and league SID contacts at respective institutions. The Raiders grabbed 34 points, seven points more than Bucknell. American copped nine of 12 first place votes and was the consensus favorite, while Lafayette was second in the voting with the other three first place votes.

PROMOTIONS FOR THE WEEKEND: Both games involving Colgate this weekend feature promotional activities. Friday night's game with CMU is a Rowdy Raiders game and “Back to School Day” at Tyler's Field. There will be free notebooks, pens and rulers handed out to youth in attendance. There will also be free ice cream and, and a free Colgate student raffle for a Wii as well as an obstacle course race at intermission. Admission is free. During Sunday's contest against Rider, there will be Izzy Dizzy races at half.

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