RELEASE DATE: 11/02/06
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Mounties Head to Bloomsburg for First Every PSAC Field Hockey Playoff Berth -- Friday's 4 p.m. Semi-final Game to be Broadcast Live on WNTE 89.5 FM and on internet at www.GoMounties.com

MANSFIELD -- The Mansfield University field hockey team will board the bus this afternoon to take them to Bloomsburg University and their first-ever PSAC playoff game.

Mansfield will face undefeated and #1 ranked Bloomsburg in the second of two semi-final contest at 4 p.m. Shippensburg will meet IUP in a 2 p.m. contest. The winners will square off for the PSAC title on Saturday at 5 p.m.

"We excited," says head coach Diane Monkiewicz. "It's nice to be in the playoffs, but we know we deserve to be here. This team and these players have worked hard all season long and truly believe we have the ability and talent to win this championship."

For those unable to attend the game, a live broadcast will by available on WNTE 89.5 FM and on the itnernet at www.GoMounties.com.

PSAC Field Hockey Playoff release Courtesy of Bloomsburg Sports Information

BLOOMSBURG—  Bloomsburg University will host the 2006 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Field Hockey Championships on Friday, November 3^rd and Saturday, November 4^th.    Shippensburg, the No. 3 seed, will square off with second-seeded Indiana (Pa.) to kick off the tournament Friday at 2 p.m.  The other semifinal will follow, with top-seeded Bloomsburg University facing No. 4 seed Mansfield at 4 p.m. The winners will play for the PSAC championship on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $2 for students.  Students from PSAC schools are free with valid ID. 

Bloomsburg is coming off a regular season in which they were a perfect 20-0, 14-0 in the PSAC.  It was the fifth time in school history that the Huskies finished the regular season unbeaten.   The Huskies have won 13 conference titles, the most of any school, with their last title coming in 2004 when they defeated IUP.

The Huskies are led by sophomores Jamie Vanartsdalen and Samantha Kropa, who rank second and third in the PSAC in scoring, respectively.  For the season, Vanartsdalen has 58 points (24 goals, 8 assists) just one point behind East Stroudsburg's Ashley Kocis.  Already Vanartsdalen's 58 points is the second highest point total in school history.  She needs just six more points to break the school record of 63 set back in 1991 by Denise Miller.  In addition, Vanartsdalen was named PSAC Player of the Week three times during the season.  Kropa has 48 points (22 goals, 4 assists) on the season and was also named PSAC Player of the Week once.  Kropa's 48 points in a season rank fifth all-time in school history. 

In the midfield, the Huskies are led by returning senior All-American Maribeth Brozena.   Brozena has seven goals this season, including five game-winning goals for the Huskies.    In goal, the Huskies have two-time senior All-American Tracey Hudak.  Hudak has allowed just 17 goals this season for a conference-best goals-against average (GAA) of 0.94. 

IUP (14-4, 10-3 in the PSAC) comes into the playoffs winners of six straight games.  IUP has yet to win a conference championship.  They advanced to the finals in both 2000 and in 2004 but lost in the championship game each time.     

IUP is led by freshman Marlous Bijleveld and junior Liz Martini.  Bijleveld leads the team in points with 34 (13 goals, 8 assists), while Martini is second with 29 points (13 goals, 3 assists).   In goal for IUP will be Lydia Dolly who has allowed 24 goals this season and has a GAA of 1.38.  

Shippensburg (15-4, 10-4), will be looking to defend its title after winning its first ever PSAC Championship last season.  The Lady Raiders are led by senior Ashley Watt who has 185 points for her career, most ever among current league field hockey programs.  For the season, Watt leads the team in points (18 goals, 10 assists).  Two-time PSAC Player of the Week, Natalie Grazan will also be a factor for Shippensburg.  Grazan ranks second on the team in points with 41 (17 goals, 7 assists).   Goalie Allie Rutland has allowed just 22 goals and has a GAA 1.36. 

Mansfield (11-9, 7-7 PSAC) will be making its first ever appearance in the PSAC playoffs.  The Mountaineers come into the playoffs after breaking several team records during the regular season.  The Mountaineers have scored 59 goals this season, 12 more than the previous mark of 47 set in 1999.  They also tied the school record for wins originally set in 2001.  

The Mountaineers are led by junior Ryanne Higgins and freshman Breanne Tobin who are tied for the team lead in goals with 17.  Higgins and Tobin are now tied for the second most goals scored in a season in school history.  Higgins was also named player of the week for the period ending October 22.   In goal for the Mountaineers will be sophomore Brianna DeLuca.  DeLuca's has played every minute of every game and her six shutouts this season rank first all-time in school history.  She has allowed 44 goals this season and has a 2.72 GAA.   

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