2007 Season Outlook

Alix Rorke enters her eighth season at the helm of the Williams field hockey program hoping a little extra competitiveness can push her team a little further into the postseason.

The Ephs finished 13-4 last season and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the seventh consecutive season under Rorke, but a first round loss in the conference tournament and a second-round defeat in the NCAAs left them thirsty for more.

“I like the competitive nature of this team,” Rorke said. “They compete, but they know how to keep it in perspective. They’re all very talented and I think that’s what helps keeps our practices so competitive.”

Four seniors return from that squad, and all will play critical roles on the 2007 squad. Rorke is pleased to have three of those seniors in the midfield. Carolina Jolly, who played center midfield after an injury to a teammate in the later portion of last season, will stay at that position. Charlotte VanWagenen will start her third season on the left side and Cary Bearn returns from an injury to take over on the right side of the midfield.

The other senior is forward K.K. Krieg, who led the team in scoring last season with 13 goals. “All four of them came back in excellent shape and set a high standard for themselves,” Rorke said. “They are pretty demanding, but also very encouraging to the rest of the team. “Even though we only have four seniors back, I feel like we have a veteran presence, and everybody on the team will see playing time and contribute this season.”

Rorke has several other key returnees spread out all over the field, beginning with junior forward Meighan McGowan, the reigning NESCAC Player of the Year and junior Jess Overlander, an All-American defender.

Returning players accounted for 45 of the 50 goals the Ephs scored last season. Krieg led Williams with 13 goals, while Overlander had 11 and McGowan 10. Underclassmen who have shone signs of breaking out include junior Sally Cobb, junior Julia Nawrocki and sophomore Anne de Saint Phalle, who will battle for playing time at the left wing.

Overlander will anchor the defense along with junior Sara Burleigh, who is coming off a strong sophomore campaign, and juniors Taylor Wilson-Hill and Arianna Kourides. Wilson-Hill and Kourides have great speed and experience. Sophomores Rebecca Gilbert and Amy Siedlicki also hope to have an impact. “I think we have great potential on defense,” Rorke said. “Sara is so strong following the ball, and Taylor and Arianna have great speed. Jess is obviously very talented, and technically sound.”
Sophomore Whitney Thayer will provide depth in the midfield and in the back, while first-year Lindsay Davies will get a look at forward and classmate Alice Bearn a look in the midfield.

The Ephs defense will have to be at the top of its game most days, because the
gaping hole in front of the goal is due to the absence of Emily Wasserman, who
played nearly every minute of every game in 2006. The candidates to replace Wasserman include sophomores Lindsey Jones and Bethany Baker and first-year Katrina Tulla.

“That’s our biggest question mark, obviously,” Rorke said. “They’re all pretty even as we reached the end of preseason, although Katrina has been out with an injury. I think early in the season they will be challenged and we’ll see who steps up to the challenge.”

The Ephs will have to keep their focus day in and day out in truly one of the toughest conferences in the country. Middlebury, Bowdoin and Amherst will all be strong once again.

Williams was ranked No. 12 in the NFCA preseason poll. “I think this team is very dedicated and committed to improving,” Rorke said. “I think, even though it’s a cliché, we will focus on one game at a time. We have to remain focused on the things we can control — that’s the way we play and how hard we work.”