Consistency a must for offense

The Jumbos' attack sizzled at times last year and averaged 10.1 goals a game, but the offense will have to perform more consistently this year if it hopes to deny a repeat of last year's 2-6 NESCAC record.

Offensive outbursts against creampuffs such as East Stroudsburg and Babson at the start of the season were overshadowed by disappointing games against the best teams in the NESCAC. The Jumbos were shut out in the second half of a loss to Bowdoin and the first half of a blowout defeat at the hands of the Amherst Lord Jeffs. This can be attributed in part to the team's relative lack of experience, which should not be a problem this year.

"The last two seasons we have had a lot of young and inexperienced players being asked to do really big things," junior Willow Hagge said. "While they have done a great job, they [were] obviously going to make mistakes,"

Tufts returns the vast majority of its offensive stars, and the offense could prove to be one of the best in recent memory. Returning offensive threats include Hagge, senior Kristin Saldarelli, junior Jen Griffin and sophomore Dena Miller on attack, and junior Megan Doughty and sophomore Meredith Harris at midfield.

The attack will look to Hagge to continue the success of her dominant 2003 season, in which she averaged 2.8 goals per game and finished the year with 47 points.

"You know what you're getting with Willow," coach Carol Rappoli said.

Miller will look to build upon a stellar first season that included 17 goals and 10 assists, second only to Hagge. If she can increase her point production and shot attempts, the Jumbos' attack will feature two threats that will require constant defending. Saldarelli and Griffin will need to be reliable scoring options to take some of the pressure off Hagge and Miller.

Further back on the field, Harris will take over the center position from senior tri-captain Lauren Peach. Peach has moved back to defense but will still play up at times.

[We are looking to] Harris and Peach [to] carry the 'defender on attack' position that Kathy [Kenny] had, and Doughty should be big too," Miller said.

Harris was a true freshman standout last year, averaging an impressive goal per game, and Doughty nearly reached the one point per game mark. Rappoli noted that Doughty and Griffin "have both stepped it up big time from last season" while calling Harris "an explosive player who can fit anywhere on the field."

That kind of player is important for this year's team, which will emphasize athleticism and interchangeability on the attack. The team should be deep with nine freshmen, who will help make up for the loss of juniors Dana Panzer and Lauren Herman and sophomore Ryan Killeen.

"Fortunately, we have an incredibly strong group of freshman who should all make significant contributions to our team," Miller said.

Still, the freshmen will not be thrust into huge roles like last year.

"Our offense returns basically intact," Rappoli said. "I expect them to be more mature and less frenetic this year."

If the Jumbos hope to be competitive in the league, the offense must perform at a consistently high level and avoid the dry spells that let them down in 2003.