Season Preview: SU set to regain national attention
SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University field hockey team lost their bid for a fourth consecutive NCAA Division III national championship last season in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Salisbury went 17-4 in 2006 as its four losses were doubled the amount of losses the Gulls had in the three-year championship run.

Despite the tough year there is good news for the Sea Gulls as they only graduated four seniors from a year ago and return a plethora of game experienced players for the '07 campaign. The fresh start will be accompanied by SU playing its first season on the newly installed A-Turf field at Sea Gull Stadium.

"We are excited about playing on turf, the veteran and new players really seem to like it," said SU coach Dawn Chamberlin, who enters her 21st season at the helm. "We are looking forward to a new year to build off some really good positives from last season."

Forwards
The forward position will be dominated by three key returning players. Senior Ashley Twigg (Elkton, Md.) is back for her fourth seasons while sophomores Lauren Correll (Bridgeville, Del.) and Beverly Beladino (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) look to build off of their breakout rookie seasons.

Salisbury returns its second leading point, assist and goal scorer in Correll. As a freshman she scored 47 points, netted 19 goals and dished out nine assists. She recorded five game-winning goals and started all 21 games for the Gulls. Her six-point game against St. Mary's (Md.) College in the CAC tournament was her best single game of the season.

SU's other super sophomore, Beladino, scored eight goals and added four assists (20 points) in her freshman campaign. She scored a game-high three goals against the University of Mary Washington in the final regular-season CAC game of the year. Beladino played in 20-of-21 games and started the final nine games of the season.

"They [Correll and Beladino] really improved throughout their freshman year. Losing Megan Powell leaves us with our hands full but I think these two will step up to do a great job," said Chamberlin.

Twigg played in 18 games last season and started in three as she scored five goals and added one assist. The senior has played in 45 career games with 21 career points.

"Twigg has a major role to step into this year. She will take charge on the field and help nurture the young players," said Chamberlin.

Also looking to make an impact on the front line will be freshman Katie Lamboni (Salisbury, Md.) from local powerhouse Parkside High School. She is the daughter of SU's Head Athletic Trainer Pat Lamboni.

Senior Lauren Dietz (Baltimore) will add depth to the offense as she returns for her fourth year.

Midfield
With the graduation of two-time All-American midfielder, Tracey Lloyd, the Sea Gulls and Chamberlin face a big challenge finding the right mix of players to establish a consistent midfield.

"We will be moving a lot of players around. Last year we didn't put up a solid defensive front so we are going to shake up the backfield in an attempt to make it click," said Chamberlin.

The Sea Gull midfield will get a fresh perspective with two local products ready to contribute immediately on the field. Freshman Courtney Webster (Chance, Md.) and Candice Hancock (Westover, Md.) are expected to make an impact for Salisbury. Webster is the third in a line of two former All-American sisters (Melissa and Tara) who were coached by Chamberlin.

"We are excited about our freshmen coming in. We have a few players who can really step up and get the job done," said Chamberlin.

Senior Ashley Spencer (Columbia, Md.) will add veteran leadership to a young position. Spencer has played in 29 career games including 14 in 2006 where she recorded two goals and two assists.

Defense
The hardnosed Sea Gull defense which gave up less than one per goal game (0.76, 16 goals in 21 games) with nine shutouts, is littered with returning players. SU returns its best defender in Danielle Twilley (Delmar, Del.) for her senior season. The first team All-American has started every game (64-of-64 games) since her freshman year. She has also scored nine goals, 12 assists and tallied 30 points in her career.  

"She [Twilley] has been a great player in her tenure and we look for her to set the tone. She is excited and been working hard all summer," said Chamberlin. "She will be a leader on and off the field and she has high expectations on where she wants this team to go."

Alongside Twilley will be senior Kristina Holland (Pocomoke, Md.) who will help anchor the Sea Gull defense. Holland has started 43-of-43 games in her two-year SU career after transferring from Towson University.

The Sea Gulls have depth in the defensive backfield position with seniors Ashley Cartrette (Greensboro, Md.) and Kortni Pedlow (Elkton, Md.) along with juniors Angela DiFabio (Ocean City, N.J.) and Heather Berntsen (Madison, N.J).

Goalie
Salisbury's last line of defense is goalie Maria Ramoundos (Gloucester, N.J.) who returns for her fourth season between the pipes for Salisbury. The senior goalie is a three-year starter that has made 159 career saves and posted a 0.77 goals against average in her career. Ramoundos also has recorded 22 shutouts and sports a 57-4 record.

"Maria has been overlooked with all the talent on our teams in the past and has not gotten the recognition that she deserves," said Chamberlin. "With our changing defense she will need to step up. We want to develop the new defense around her in order to play to her strengths. She is an exceptional gamer and plays extremely well in the playoffs."

Schedule
Salisbury continues to play a strenuous schedule each year and 2007 will be no different. SU welcomes Wesley College and Hood College into the CAC where five teams posted winning records a season ago. The Sea Gulls will also take on four NCAA tournament teams from 2006.

The Sea Gulls will be tested right from the get-go as they host St. Mary's (Md.) College on Sunday, September 2 for an afternoon game. SU will then travel to Newport News, Va., for its second game of the season to take on Christopher Newport. CNU (12-3 last season) ended SU's season in the second round of the NCAA tournament with a 2-1 overtime victory. That win marked the first-time CNU had ever beaten Salisbury.

After back-to-back road games Salisbury will then host Rowan University on September 25. The Profs were 14-5 last season and made it to the NCAA tournament second round. SU lost to Rowan, 2-1, last season, but the Sea Gulls hold an 18-12 all-time series lead. The next game will challenge SU when they host national runner-up, Messiah College, who posted a 17-5 record in 2006. The Falcons only graduated one senior from last season.

The Gulls kick off October with a game against Rt. 13 rival Wesley College on October 3. This will be the first meting between the two schools since 2003 when the Gulls blanked the Wolverines, 6-0. Salisbury then travels to Ewing, N.J., to battle national powerhouse The College of New Jersey. SU beat TCNJ last season, 4-1.

"We have no breathing room. We start fast with SMC and CNU. We need to be prepared and need to take it one game at a time and the season will play out," said Chamberlin.

Summary
The Sea Gulls will embark on a new season with new faces and a new playing surface but they continue to seek the same result, a national championship. Salisbury has the leadership and big game experience from it upperclassmen to return the Gulls into championship form.

"We want to be considered a premier program in the field hockey world and continue to work hard and maintain our winning reputation," said Chamberlin.

Also see:
2007 SU Field Hockey Quick Facts (PDF)