CALGARY – With the most veteran-laden team in her career, CIS coach of the year Jenn Swagar has big plans for her 2011 University of Calgary Dinos field hockey team.
A trip to nationals is already in the bag, with Calgary hosting the CIS championship in early November for the first time since 1994. Notwithstanding that fact, however, Swagar expects a big season from the Dinos – with a goal of at least 10 wins in the 12-game regular season schedule.
It's a high bar for a team that went 5-5-2 last season and finished a point shy of heading to the national tournament for the first time since 1997. But with virtually the entire team returning and a pair of All-Canadians leading the way, the Dinos will not be satisfied with simply being welcoming hosts when the nation's best arrive at Hawkings Field in less than two months' time.
“We're fitter, smarter, stronger, and more powerful. I see more poise and more communication, and they're more controlled,” said Swagar, who begins her fifth season with the Dinos. “The goal is 10 wins – I think that's possible. We're looking at nationals as a completely different season – we're there, but we're not thinking about that right now. We're thinking about the season, and we want to have 10 wins – which would make us the best team in school history.”
The veteran group is led by two returning All-Canadians in
Courtney Campbell and
Carolina Romeo, both of whom are moving up to forward positions this year from midifield and defence, respectively. Romeo, the 19-year-old four-year veteran, has been brilliant offensively in the preseason, scoring five of the team's seven goals in one game.
“Courtney and Carolina both have a physical presence, and they probably won't come off the field,” said Swagar. “But they're going to be playing different positions this year, so it'll be interesting. We need to make sure we can get the ball to them, and I think we'll be able to do that.”
While there's very little turnover –
Michelle Roydhouse,
Serena Lockhart,
Kaitlyn Longworth, and 'keeper
Stephanie Petrowitsch all return to their positions as well – one rookie that did crack the line-up is
Sam Spearn out of Rossland, B.C.
“Sam is fantastic – she's an athlete, and she has the physical presence to play at this level,” Swagar said. “I see her being as skilled as
Courtney Campbell in two or three years. She has a lot of work ahead of her, but she has the same desire to play.”
The Dinos open the 2011 season at home against the Victoria Vikes Saturday and Sunday, with games starting at 1 p.m. both days at Hawkings Field.
The 2011 CIS/FHC Field Hockey Championship is set for Nov. 3-6.
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