Field hockey selected third in preseason poll
Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 8/28/09 Section: Sports
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The Dragons dominated the Colonial Athletic Association to the tune of a 7-1 record. But Drexel did not reach its ultimate goal of making the NCAA Tournament, falling to Old Dominion 4-2 in the CAA Semifinals.
This season, the Dragons are out to avenge their heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the Lady Monarchs as they look to cement themselves as one of the elite teams in the conference for the second consecutive season.
Drexel was chosen to finish third in the CAA preseason poll behind only ODU and defending champion James Madison.
The prognostication comes as no surprise as the Lady Monarchs and Dukes have combined to capture 17 of the last 18 conference titles. However, if there is one team that poses a major threat to these pair of dynamos, it's the Dragons.
Drexel is the only team in the CAA to return more than one First Team All-CAA Player. In fact, the Dragons return three for head coach Denise Zelenak's 15th season: Susan Ciufo, Carolina Gibernau and Kim Tunell.
All three players are considered amongst the top players at their positions in the nation respectively. Ciufo, a junior forward, finished first on the team and second in the conference in scoring with 19 goals and 47 points. Gibernau, a senior midfielder, recorded a program-record 12 assists to go along with seven goals, while Tunel, a junior midfielder, scored eight goals - including three game-winners - and added 11 assists.
Also back for Drexel is its most potent scoring threat Christina Mastropaolo. Despite missing four games due to injury and starting just 11, the junior forward led the team in goals with 13 as she garnered Second Team All-CAA honors.
However, despite possessing a balanced scoring attack and solid backline unit, the Dragons' defense must find a long-term replacement for its anchor, goalie Colleen McAndrew.
Incumbent sophomore Heather Abbott, who appeared in two games last year, and incoming freshman Jenna Phillips will both see time between the pipes until a number one netminder emerges.
Drexel's 2009 campaign gets underway August 28 as the Dragons travel to Piscataway, N.J. to take on Rutgers in a non-conference contest.
Other non-conference highlights include a home game against Duke, a fixture in the top-10 of the country's NFHCA poll Sept. 5, and a visit to Storrs, Conn. to take on Connecticut Sept. 17. The Huskies were ranked as high as fifth in the national poll.
The Dragons begin conference play with a home date against VCU Oct. 2. Two days later Drexel will be seriously tested as JMU makes the trek to face the Dragons in Philadelphia at Buckley Field.
Following that game Drexel will travel to Norfolk, Va. to take on ODU Oct. 9. The Dragons will wrap up conference play when they head down to Newark, Del. to face Delaware.
Prediction: Drexel upsets JMU in the CAA semifinals before falling in the final to ODU. However, the Dragons earn an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
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