Although it will lack its leading scorer of the past two seasons, the Georgetown field hockey team is entering the 2002 season with a solid base of returning starters as well as an exciting group of freshmen. Its success will be partially dependent on big performances from some different players than in the past, and if these players perform, the team will go far.

Junior Elena Elster led the Hoyas in scoring and points in 2000 and 2001, won numerous Eastern College Athletic Conference awards and was selected to the 2001 ECAC All-Star team. A native of Wiesbaden, Germany, Elster had been playing field hockey since she was very young. The intensity and tremendous time commitment of NCAA Division I hockey, however, was something Elster was not used to.

“A lot of the European hockey is at the club level, and it’s very social. It’s just a different environment,” Head Coach Laurie Carroll said.

So, Elster chose to leave the team after last season. “I think she just wanted to take advantage of all the wonderful things there are here at Georgetown,” Carroll said.

Along with Elster goes the source of much of Georgetown’s scoring production. Last season the Hoyas had trouble scoring in the open field, but they had Elster making penalty corner shots. In 2002, they will need to improve their open-field scoring and assemble a new corner unit.

Carroll reports that the leading contenders for the corner hitter spot are junior defender Lauren Galbally and junior midfielder Shelby Samperton, two of the team’s key returning starters. But no decisions have yet been made.

As for people who can score in the open field, Carroll identifies junior midfielder/forward Leeanne Rizzo and junior forward Beth Gagnon as potential heavy hitters.

On the defensive end, senior captain goalkeeper Jessica Herring will be anchoring the Hoyas. It is Herring’s fourth straight year starting in the cage, which Carroll says makes her “one of the most experienced goalies in the country.” Other returning Hoyas, such as Galbally, junior defender Nora Mirando and sophomore defender Meaghan Leahy will also play big roles in the backfield.

This year will also bring nine freshmen to the team. Carroll hasn’t decided which newcomers will get playing time this season, although she has identified freshman midfielder/defender olly Ahearn as a strong competitor.

“[Ahearn] looks great. I think she’s one of our best athletes. I’d love to see her on the field,” Carroll said.

The Hoyas will take on St. Joe’s tomorrow at noon in Philadelphia.