Field Hockey

A new coach can set an athletic program back several years because of the time required to learn a new system of training and game strategy.

However, the Harvard field hockey team, despite losing coach Nita Lamborghini, could not afford a break in its climb from the bottom of the standings.

No problem. Assistant Coach Sue Caples, who has worked closely with Lamborghini over the last three years, is now the head coach.

"We've been able to keep a great amount of continuity, considering the transition," Caples said. "There have been few changes--everything has stayed fairly consistent."

One of the strongest aspects of the Crimson this year will be Co-Captain and goalie Denise Katsias, who played every minute for Harvard last year. Katsias recorded four shutouts last year and allowed 1.48 goals per game. She was at her best in the Ivy League games, allowing only 1.11 goals per game.

Co-Captain Katie McEnaney, Erin O'Brien and Lynn Frangione return to lead a strong defensive backfield which should combine with Katsias to keep opponents' tallies down this year.

However, the team's 1-0 loss to Brown was typical of the team's problems last year. Katsias turned aside several close shots with some brilliant saves, but without any offensive pressure at all, the Crimson fell.

One aspect of the team's continuity that Caples would like to end is the team's inability to score goals. The Crimson tallied only 22 times last season and just four in the team's six Ivy League games. Also, the team's two leading scorers, Kate Felsen and Nicole Simourian, and their 10 goals combined have graduated, leaving a void up front.

Harvard's leading returning scorer, junior forward Lisa Cutone, and Sharon Landau and their explosive, speedy style of attacking will be the foundation upon which Caples will try to build an offense. Cutone slipped the ball past goalies five times last season, tying for the team lead in that category.

"We've matured a lot and have a lot of people returning who are very poised around the net," Caples said. "I feel we'll score a lot more this year."

An added luxury for Caples this year will be depth, which will be provided by a great recruiting class, which netted her six of the top recruits in the country.

The Crimson must avoid any lingering effects of a late-season tailspin which ruined its chances of a winning season last year. Having compiled a 6-3-2 record (1-1-1 Ivy) through the first five weeks of the season, Harvard crumbled, scoring only one goal in the next week while losing to Princeton, Boston College and Brown. A loss to Yale in the final game of the season gave the team a disappointing 6-7-2 record (1-4-1 Ivy).

"I'm excited about this season," Caples said. "The preseason has gone well and we have an evenly-balanced team, which is good. Actually, I'm optimistic about the next two years, since so many of our returing players are juniors."

Harvard's toughest competition in the Ivy League this year should once again be Penn and Dartmouth. The Crimson's chances for a Boston Four title are slim since Northeastern sports one of the best field hockey teams in the nation.