The Mary Washington College field hockey team proved its elite national status in 1996, playing six of the top ten teams in the nation. The grueling schedule, packed with talented competition, was not only a testament to the skill that the MWC team possessed, but was also proof of the faith that head coach Dana Hall had in her team.

Despite losing eight seniors from the successful '95 team that went 12-4 and played in the NCAA Division III Tournament, MWC rebounded with eight wins in '96. The relatively inexperienced Eagles were in virtually every game they played until the closing minutes: they lost just two games by more than two goals. Included in the eight wins was a five-game winning streak, with victories over regional powers Gettysburg College, York College of PA, and Catholic University.

Competing in the prestigious Capital Athletic Conference with York, Catholic, Salisbury State University, St. Mary's College of MD and Goucher College, MWC has won the conference title in five of the six seasons they've been in the league.

Mary Washington loses five seniors to graduation in '97, including Second-team All-American midfielder Charlotte Cockrell, who had one goal and five assists as a senior. Also gone is Danielle Oleson, who led the '96 team with 10 goals and seven assists, and second-team All-CAC selection Amy Walters, who rattled home two goals as a midfielder. Defender Gina Pisoni, who led the team with five defensive saves last year, is also lost to graduation, as is forward Wendy Baylor.

Seniors Angie Saulsbury and Kathy Keenan will provide leadership to the team. Saulsbury is a two-time academic All-American midfielder, and Keenan contributed two goals as a junior. Also returning to the fold are sophomore forward Robin Wild, who had seven goals and two assists as a freshman, and junior forward Melissa Ballance, who had three goals and three assists a year ago. Other returnees include defenders Erin Broome and Aimee Seward, who had three defensive saves last fall, forward Christine Jeffrey, and midfielder Natalie Simpson, who was named Academic All-American in '96. The MWC goalkeeper tandem of Heather Carter and Carrie Williams both return in '97 as well, giving a veteran presence in the goal.