August 27, 2007

ROWAN SELECTED AS FIELD HOCKEY
FAVORITE IN POLL OF LEAGUE'S HEAD COACHES

PROFS SEEKING THEIR SIXTH NJAC CROWN SINCE 1998

After advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2006, Rowan University was selected as the 2007 preseason field hockey favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Profs, who posted a 15-6 overall record in 2006, are seeking their sixth conference crown since 1998.
 
Led by 10th-year head coach Penny Kempf, the Profs were selected to finish first on three-of-the-seven ballots cast by the league head coaches. Under Kempf, Rowan has recorded a 143-34 overall record. The NJAC Champions in 2005 and the NCAA Division III National Champions in 2002, Rowan finished second in the conference in 2006 with a 5-1 league record before earning an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament. The Profs return a trio of all-conference performers from their 2006 NCAA squad including senior forward Danielle Miranda, senior midfielder Susan Massara, and senior back Erin Tideman.
 
TCNJ, which captured the 2006 NJAC Championship with a perfect 6-0 conference record, was selected to place second and received three first-place votes. Now in her 23rd season at the helm of the Lions program, 2006 NJAC Coach of the Year Sharon Pfluger has produced an overall career coaching mark of 400-70-9, including a mark of 391-51-5 at the Ewing campus. TCNJ finished 17-3 overall in 2006 and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. The Lions return three all-conference performers from their 2006 NJAC Championship squad including senior back Sheri Grondski, junior forward Jennifer Lubin, and the 2006 NJAC Rookie of the Year in sophomore forward Jessica Falcone.

Montclair State University, which captured the championship of the 2006 ECAC Mid-Atlantic Tournament, was selected to place third and received one first-place vote. Under the leadership of sixth-year head coach Beth Gottung, the Red Hawks have posted a mark of 73-24, including a record of 17-3 in 2006. Montclair returns both the reigning NJAC Offensive Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year in senior forward Jennifer Tanis and sophomore net minder Jacqui Supko respectively. In addition, the Red Hawks return a pair of senior all-conference backs from their 2006 ECAC championship squad in Lauren Zehnder and Brisa Casas.

Kean University, led by seventh-year head coach Dipi Bhaya, was selected to place fourth. Under Bhaya, the Cougars have produced a 71-39 overall record, including a mark of 9-7 in 2006. Kean returns a trio of all-league players from its 2006 squad including junior back Katie McGee, senior midfielder Allison Green, and sophomore goaltender Jennifer Barry.

William Paterson University, which earned a selection to the 2006 ECAC Mid-Atlantic Tournament, was selected to place fifth and was also tapped as the coaches' dark horse selection. Under the leadership of fourth-year head coach Lindsay Bard, the Pioneers have produced a 30-22 overall record, including a mark of 12-7 in 2006. Paterson returns a pair of all-conference players in junior forward Meghan Hall and senior back Ashley Allison.

Ramapo College, led by fifth-year head coach Leslie LaFronz, was selected to place sixth. The Roadrunners return one all-league player from a 2006 squad which finished 8-10 overall in junior forward Ashley Zimmerman.

Richard Stockton College, under the direction of fourth-year head coach Aimee Topham, was selected to place seventh. The Ospreys return a pair of players from their 2006 team which finished 7-11 overall in junior forward Samantha Horner and junior back Dana Meyers.

The 26th season of NJAC field hockey will get under way on Friday, August 31 with five league teams in non-conference action. Conference play will begin on Tuesday, September 18 when Kean hosts Montclair State in the first league contest of the season. The NJAC does not sponsor a conference tournament in field hockey, meaning the league championship is awarded to the team with the best record in conference play. The NJAC field hockey champion receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.