POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (August 29, 2017) – The 2016 Vassar College field hockey season was undoubtedly the best in program history, as the squad picked up a program-record 14 wins and finished second in the Liberty League. The ranking helped Vassar host its first-ever home Liberty League Tournament contest, but the season was abruptly ended on its home turf with a 3-1 loss to Skidmore College.
 
Despite a stellar regular season and a high regional ranking, the Brewers were not selected as a 2016 NCAA Tournament At-Large pick. The feeling has resonated with the team over the last 10 months, and the squad is determined not to let that happen again. "We are on the same page, that last year was not good enough," said junior captain Megan Caveny. "Getting to the playoffs is a good step in the right direction, but definitely not an end goal."
 
The definitive end goal is a little harder to get out of the team, much in part to the sound advice from now fifth-year head coach Michael Warari. Over the years, Warari has preached to his team to focus on the next play, not looking too far forward and understanding the moment. That mantra has sunk into his team, who are solely focused on Friday afternoon's season-opener at home in the 29^th Annual Betty Richey Tournament against Marywood College.
 
"We are just focusing on one game at a time," said Warari, who comes into the season with 48 career victories at the helm of the Vassar program. "Short term goals are next play, next play, but long term goals are next game." That was echoed by junior Alyssa More, now a captain. "Right now all we're thinking of is Friday, at the Betty Richey, against Marywood so small steps."
 
The changing landscape of field hockey in the region has seen the Brewers slowly and surely wedge themselves into the conversation as a power. VC was picked third in the Liberty League Preseason Poll, above national No. 19 William Smith College and just behind No. 11 Skidmore College and No. 14 University of Rochester.
 
"I love being an underdog, but in the same case I like coming on the field with some expectation," said Caveny. "I like to keep the best of both sides, the hunger of being an underdog and having to prove yourself every game, but at the same time coming out knowing you're going to dominate."
 
FORWARDS
The Brewers return a talented and experienced group of forwards this season, led by Caveny, who led the team with 27 points on team-leading numbers of nine goals and nine assists. Caveny is already ninth all-time in points at Vassar going into her junior season, and her 14 assists in two seasons is well on the way to shattering the school mark of 21. Caveny ranked ninth in the Liberty League in scoring last year, as VC ranked as the second most potent offensive team in the conference.
 
Caveny will be joined by one of the feistiest players in the conference in senior Storm Sideleau. As a junior, Sideleau posted five goals and five helpers to finish third on the team in points. The senior uses her tenacity and grit, and when on, can be one of the toughest forwards in the conference to defend.
 
Junior Emily Poehlein had a strong season off the bench as a sophomore, scoring five times to go with three assists. She will be counted on again for supplemental scoring, and fellow junior Gracie Tavakkol also returns after posted four goals and an assist in 2016. Junior Mikayla Young is a strong two-way player that defends well for a forward, and also is the primary inserter on VC's dangerous corner unit. Young started in 17 of 18 games as a sophomore, scoring three goals.
 
Sophomore Stephanie Palma returns as another option on the forward line, as she played in nine games as a freshman. Palma has good size, and came back ready to make an impact as a sophomore. Two newcomers will also help the forward unit, as Dara Studnitzer and Grace Yacura have been strong in the preseason.
 
Studnitzer has shown to have a knack for getting her stick on the ball around the net, while Yacura is very athletic and will help immediately at stretching defenses with her speed. Look for both to contribute in 2017 to an offense that posted 55 goals and 230 shots on goal last year.
 
MIDFIELDERS
The midfield has long been a strength of the Vassar squad, and this year looks to continue that trend as VC returns two very important pieces. Now sophomore Cristina Lopez was great as a newcomer in 2016, as she was one of just five players to start all 18 games for VC. Lopez was named as a Liberty League Second Team honoree, as she posted four goals and four assists. In the preseason, Lopez has been pushing forward so expect more offense out of the star midfielder.
 
Also returning to the midfield for the Brewers is More, who finished second on the team in points last year with 19, scoring seven times with five assists. One of the most creative players on the team, More's stick skills and ability to help switch fields with her aerials have made her a weapon as a right midfielder.
 
Fellow junior Haley Cubell has been a utility player for the Brewers, as she has played all over the field over the last two seasons. Cubell started as an outside back as a freshman, but then transitioned to the forward unit last year. In preseason, she has been playing center midfield, and has looked comfortable in the role. Look for Cubell to continue to be a very useful player in her junior campaign.
 
The Brewers have restocked their midfield as well after the graduation of Emma Bracken, Flora Crichton-Stuart and Lauren Shumate last year, as VC welcomes in a trio of strong midfield options in Grace Amell, Natalie Johnston and Niki Rizzo. All three play different types of games, and their talents will be great additions for Vassar this year. Freshman Indiana Rich, along with junior Hannah Zawacki, have been limited due to injuries but are also midfielders that will look to the future for VC.
 
DEFENSE
The defensive unit was one of the best in the nation in 2016, as Vassar sported a pair of seniors in Sophie Arnold and Lauren Shumate, while also employing the Brewers' lone All-Liberty League First Teamer in Monica Feeley. The unit was strong, consistent and hard-working in front of cage.
 
In 2016, the Brewers surrendered just 13 goals all season, allowing just 68 shots over the course of an 18-game campaign. The 0.72 goals against average on the season was the best in the conference, while breaking school records for goals allowed in a single year. It was a great year, but despite the graduations the unit could be just as strong in 2017.
 
The undetermined leader of the defense returns after a dynamic sophomore campaign, as Feeley was an All-Region performer as she was a stalwart at sweeper. Her ability to turn offensive threats on one end and turn the field single-handedly was a huge weapon for the Brewers last year. Look for Feeley to once again be one of the best defensive players in the nation.
 
Now sophomore Sam Plante came into her own at the end of her freshman campaign, and her athleticism was huge for the Brewers. Plante scored VC's lone goal in the Liberty League playoffs in 2016, and also set up Megan Caveny in overtime to defeat Rochester. She will continue to slot into the center back spot for Vassar in 2017.
 
Junior Molly Youse has taken a huge leadership role for the Brewers this season, and the steady and consistent back has continued to excel for the Brewers. Youse has earned 26 starts over her first two seasons, and will be looked upon this season as a catalyst for the defense. Also back for Vassar in the back is sophomore Rylie Pope, who has looked strong in the preseason. Pope moves the ball in the back extremely well, and can connect long stretch passes to open up play.
 
Vassar added a pair of freshmen to the defensive unit as well, and both have acquitted themselves with aplomb thus far. Nikki Pallotta has looked very good thus far, and should earn minutes as a sweeper when Feeley is off the field. Pallotta has great vision, strong stick skills and is a quick decision maker. Fellow newcomer Ally Aquilina-Piscitello has gotten reps as an outside back, and she is a tough-minded defender that can break up an attack with ease. She shows intensity on the field, moves well and should earn some reps early and often.
 
Transitioning to the goalkeepers, the Brewers for the first time since the 2007 season have three rostered backstops. The strange similarities to that group 10 years ago is interesting, as both feature keepers from California and New Jersey, while both have a junior and freshmen.
 
That returning pair of Paige Amico and Liz Rotolo had a strong season in 2016, as the duo posted an 80.9 save percentage while making 55 combined saves. Amico was the team's starter in all 18 contests, breaking the school record last year for shutouts, wins and goals against average. Amico was voted as an All-Liberty League Second Teamer as well as a sophomore.
 
Rotolo has looked great in the preseason, as she looks to push Amico for the starting position. The sophomore moves well, has strong feet and won't give up on plays. Rotolo played 174 minutes in 2016, seeing just three shots.
 
Newcomer Madison Maguire comes to Vassar from North Kingstown, RI, and has been a great addition thus far. The athletic keeper has shown a hard-working attitude in the fall, and her ability to communicate with her defenders has stood out as well. All three options are strong this year for head coach Michael Warari, who has played two of his four seasons at VC with just one keeper.
 
--
 
The Brewers will get their season started this weekend with the 29^th annual Betty Richey Tournament on Weinberg Field, as Vassar hosts Marywood College, SUNY Geneseo and Manhattanville College. VC takes on Marywood at 4 p.m. in the opener, with the Knights and Valiants squaring off at 6:30 p.m. in the nightcap. The following day, the consolation game starts at 1 p.m., with the title game at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.