Geneseo field hockey opened this year’s season by participating in the Wilkes University Colonel Classic over Labor Day weekend. Geneseo made it to the championship game by defeating the host, 6-1.
Junior Katie Farley tallied two of the six goals, while classmates Kayla DeAngelis, Kerry Hosford and Kim Sherman, as well as senior Chellie Johnson, contributed one goal each for the Knights. Hosford also added two assists.
Senior Caitlyn Dowell capped off the performance with six saves and only one goal against in the game against Wilkes.
Head coach Jessica Seren was not available for comment, but Dowell and sophomore Katie Gaus said Seren was pleased with the team’s passing, a problem for last year’s team.
In the second game, the Knights dropped a 6-0 decision to No. 4-ranked Salisbury University.
Geneseo attempted 10 shots with five from DeAngelis, who led the team in scoring last year. DeAngelis’ 17 goals and seven assists for 41 points broke the school record.
Despite the loss, Dowell and Gaus said that Seren brings the team together whether the team wins or loses. Gaus added, “She never got mad at us.”
The Knights enter this year with many familiar faces, as very few players graduated; however, some players chose to leave the team. This year, only five seniors remain, including Dowell.
“The senior class as a whole is super tight,” Dowell said. “The five of us are always together.”
Johnson, classmate Katie Gallo and junior Bridget McGovern serve as this season’s captains. Gaus joins the Geneseo team for her first season and said each of the captains displays her own type of leadership.
“[Johnson] helped me through the summer. She’s a good leader and she is always positive,” Gaus said. “Gallo is a defender so she brings a defensive basis to the younger players. She is extremely skilled and watching her play motivates you. [McGovern] provides the excitement before the games.”
Dowell may not be a captain, but she said she feels that she has assumed a leadership role as well.
“I am definitely involved,” the goalie said. “The five seniors on the team all start. We’re all leaders on the field.”
With strong leadership and new freshmen, Gaus and Dowell both said they expect a SUNYAC championship. The Knights open conference play against SUNY Brockport at 4 p.m. Friday Sept. 21.