By Ashley Melfi, Staff Writer
The Coach: Kathy DeAngelis is in her 14th year as head coach for the Hofstra Field Hockey Team. She herself is a former player and a coach of the United States National Field Hockey program. In her tenure at Hofstra, DeAngelis holds a 127-127 record with the Pride, with a five-year winning record stretch from 2002-2006, a first for Hofstra since turning to a Division I side. Last year DeAngelis led the pride to a 7-11 season. As of late, the Pride stands 2-3 (pending tomorrow’s game).
Star Player: Senior Genna Kovar is truly invaluable to the Pride’s field hockey team. She was a CAA All-Rookie selection in 2008.
In both her sophomore and junior years, Kovar received several accolades including 2009 NFHCA All-America third team honors, 2009 Longstreth/NFHCA All-Mid-East Region first team, 2010 Longstreth/NFHCA All-Mid East Region second team as well as 2010 All-Colonial Athletic Association first team.
Even with missing the last four games at the end of the season due to injuy, Kovar still ranked sixth in the CAA and thirty-eighth in Division I in points per game. Kovar has already started the 2011 season with 3 goals and 5 assists.
Newcomer: Jonel Boileau has really proven herself not only as a freshman but also as an asset to the team overall.
A native of Kelowba, British Columbia, Canada she was awarded the Female Athlete of the year three times. So far, Boileau has 1 assist and 1 goal in the Pride’s first five games. Her lone goal tied the score Monmouth. Hofstra eventually won the game.
“X-Factor”: A quality the Hofstra field hockey prides them with is shooting. In that same game against Monmouth, the Pride outshot the Hawks 13- 6 and in its win over Colgate, the Pride outshot the Raiders 23 – 8. This being said, persistence is truly a quality this season’s Hofstra field hockey team practices.
Games to watch out for: Games against Old Dominion University are always one to want to watch. These CAA, in-conference rivals are always very competitive and prove to be a formidable opponent for the Pride. The game is scheduled for September 23 in Norfolk, VA.
Junior midfielder Codi Nyland (3) keeps possession in a game against Towson last season. (The Chronicle File Photo)
