2003 brought answers, still more questions

After an off-season of speculation and anticipation, 2003 was another year of mixed results for the field hockey team, which finished its season on Nov. 2 with a 5-10 record.

On the one hand, the team experienced the elation of a playoff appearance for the first time in three years, increased its win total from the previous two years, and saw all of its goals scored and assisted by players who will be returning for the 2004 campaign.

On the other, however, questions were still left unanswered as the Jumbos posted their third straight losing season, finished seventh in the league with a 3-6 record, and scored only 20 goals on the year, the second lowest offensive output in the NESCAC.

"It's tough, but I think right now we're looking at it from the standpoint that we have a lot of potential, with just three seniors leaving," sophomore midfielder Lea Napolitano said. "We're going to miss them though."

Napolitano scored a team-high six goals and five assists on the year, making her the 2003 scoring leader. Fellow sophomore midfielder Erika Goodwin was key to the offense as well, scoring four goals on the season and notching a pair of assists.

This plethora of younger players, combined with the three veteran seniors, helped send Tufts to its first playoff appearance in three years, a 6-0 loss to Bowdoin. In addition, the five season wins were the most by the field hockey team since it won 10 in 2000.

Still, the 2003 season could leave a few Jumbos feeling unsettled. The three consecutive losing seasons ties a career high for coach Carol Rappoli, now in her 19th season at Tufts. She last had three consecutive losing efforts between 1991 and 1993. All of Rappoli's other 13 seasons with the Jumbos have been above the .500 mark.

In addition, the Jumbo offense will be seeking rejuvenation next year after scoring only 20 goals in 2003, the second fewest in the NESCAC ahead of Wesleyan's 19. The Jumbo defense also had its flaws in giving up 34 goals, third most in league.

The numbers don't faze those players returning for next season.

"We know that next year is our year," sophomore midfielder Jeanne Grabowski said. "Given our players, and how we have a lot of great juniors now, next season we'll be at our peak."

Talent-wise, Grabowski's statement appears to be accurate. Junior midfielder Dana Panzer, the Jumbo sparkplug whose ability to find open forwards and baffle defenders seemed effortless, will be returning for the 2004 season.

Additionally, junior midfielder/defender Jayme Heller will be back next season. Heller, who has strong skills both defensively and offensively, with two goals and two assists this season, provides coach Rappoli with a versatility that could be useful when having to decide where incoming freshmen can best help the team.

Freshman midfielder Hillary Fazzone, out all year with mono, should also be back in 2004 and ready to assist the team. Fazzone scored the lone Jumbo goal in the season opening 2-1 loss to Bentley before being forced to watch the remainder of the games from the sideline.

Tufts will need to bolster its defense in 2004, given that all three departing seniors played a hand in slowing the opponent's attack. Senior goalkeeper Julie Jackson did the majority of the work between the posts this season for Tufts, while both senior co-captains Kelly Sarson and Willow Hagge assisted Jackson in front of the net.

Sarson usually thwarted forwards from her right defender position, while Hagge played midfield, and both will have to be replaced next year.