In 2011, the Roanoke College Field Hockey team completed the season with a record of 6-12, the most wins in a season since the Maroons went 11-9 in 2004.  Entering the 2012 season, the Maroons look to forge ahead and increase their win total.


“I expect our team to not take one step backward,” Banks stated.  “We are on our way to a winning/successful program and we need to pick up where we left off.  We need to score more goals, save more of our opponent's shots, win more games and climb to the top-four in the ODAC.”

Luckily for the Maroons, they return their top three point scorers in juniors Lianna Hachborn and Kelly Finn, and sophomore Mariel Hunt.  This trio combined for 20 of Roanoke's 31 goals in the 2011 season.

Coach Banks is also looking to lone senior, Julienne Brown, to help guide the team in 2012.

“As the only senior, I'm looking forward to Julienne's leadership qualities.  She is also a very competitive player.”

Roanoke also returns three All-ODAC defensive players from 2011, as well.  Laura Stavetski earned second team All-ODAC honors, as she ranked second in the ODAC in defensive saves with six.  She also recorded two assists.  

“Laura is a very patient and smart defender,” Banks noted.

Not only does Banks have a talented squad returning, but she is enthusiastic about the incoming class she has recruited.

“I am looking forward to the class of 2016 to bring in a lot of speed all over the field,” Banks started.  “The nine girls coming in are very dedicated players in the off season, so they are always determined to be better than the day before.”

The Maroons are looking at a tough away stretch to start the season.  They will open the first weekend against non-conference opponents McDaniel and Gettysburg, who combined for five wins against ODAC teams last season.  Roanoke will then face off against Mary Washington, who had been ranked prior to the final NCAA poll.  Roanoke opens ODAC play against Lynchburg College on Sept. 12 in Lynchburg.  At the end of the 2011 season, the Hornets were ranked #4 in the NCAA, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.

In 2011, the Maroons won four conference games, including wins over Washington & Lee, Sweet Briar and Virginia Wesleyan.  In 2012, they will play those three teams in a span of about 10 days.  On September 25^th and the 29^th, the Maroons will face Washington & Lee and Sweet Briar, respectively.  Both games will be played at Donald J. Kerr Stadium.  They will go on to face Virginia Wesleyan in Virginia Beach on October 5^th.  Roanoke will return to Salem to play four of their last five regular season games against Eastern Mennonite, Centre College (KY), Lebanon Valley College, and Randolph-Macon.

After coming off of a six win season, the Maroons have started to hit a stride, and Banks believes she has assembled a squad that can move to the top of the ODAC leaderboard.

“There is a lot of talent and experience returning and coming in, now I need them to believe they have what it takes!”

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