Mounties scrimmage Houghton in preparation for upcoming season

MANSFIELD -- Mansfield University head field hockey coach Diane Monkiewicz is smiling a little more these days than she has in previous preseason camps.

Monkiewicz, now entering her ninth season at the helm of the Mountaineer program, has a lot to smile about -- at least 25 reasons.

That's the number of players on this year's roster, her largest since winning the ECAC Championship in 2001. Monkiewicz can also see other similarities to the 2001 team as she puts her 2006 edition through daily practices sessions on the pitch at Spaulding Field.

Like the 2001 team, the 2006 edition features a high powered offense with plenty of options and solid veteran  defense. While 2001 featured the scoring triumvirate of Teri Tressler, Kristi Swartz and the legendary Gretchen Reschke, this year's squad features veterans Kelly Jarett, Ryanne Higgins, Shana Markwis, Nicole Dann, Rebekah Brown, Angela Hamill, Liz Humphreys, Shantee Proctor, Jess Wieder, Ashley Weider and Brianna DeLuca who all started at some point last season. They are joined by an extremely talented freshmen class including Courtney Grunza, Breanne Tobin and Carlyn Spangler among others.

The team held scrimmage with Houghton College on Thursday and although no score was kept, the offense looked crisp with a number of players recording goals. Monkiewicz was able to look at a number of different player combinations during the scrimmage in preparation for next week's season opening three-game road trip to New England.

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