Jen Meyer was a third-team All-America choice in 2002
The Wittenberg University field hockey program has established
one of the best winning traditions in NCAA Division III. So, even
after an outstanding senior class that included three All-Americans
departed last spring, the expectation is that the Tigers will find
a way to reload and put themselves in contention in the North Coast
Athletic Conference again in 2003.
Leading the charge is a group of returning letterwinners that
numbers seven, including third-team All-America goaltender
Jen Meyer and all-conference performers
Blair Ufer, an offensive-minded midfielder, and
forward Katie Babcock, who was second on the team
in scoring a year ago.
Meyer was among the nation's best in several goalkeeping
statistical categories in 2002, and she anchors a defensive unit
that, despite the loss of All-Americans Rebecca Russ and Heather
House, is expected to be strong again with returning letterwinners
Carrie Happ, Ashley Smith and
Melanie Boss and newcomers Rachel
Dunn and Kirsten Enevoldsen. Ufer, an
all-region choice in 2002, is the top returner in the midfield, and
she will be joined in that area by returning letterwinner
Sarah Wallace and freshmen Jaimee
McGhee, and Holly McHugh. Meyer is backed
up this year by freshman Michelle Hanners.
Offensively, the Tigers must find a replacement for record-setting
Emily Duh, who graduated, but Babcock is a good start. She will be
joined in that end of the field by Kenyon transfer Julia
Wickham and freshmen Katy Barrett and
Melissa Jackson.