Radcliffe Field Hockey Team Scrimmages Bentley Today

Sporting high hopes, new coach, and increased numbers, the Radcliffe field hockey team scrimmages Bentley college today at Soldiers Field, and it should become a little more clear as to whether the Crimson will improve on its dismal 1-9-2 record of a year ago.

"Right now I'd say things are looking pretty good," first-year coach Debi Field said. "We have more people (28) than a year ago, and we may even get 10 or 12 more. The whole team is really sky-high about the coming season."

"The large number of people coming out for the team has helped us immeasurably. We can now play full-field scrimmages in practice, whereas before we had to settle for half-field scrimmages."

Field said the bigger team has made competition more rife for starting berths, "which has resulted in everybody working harder."

"Another factor that's helped us is the better facilities we have this year," Field said. "We really appreciate all the cooperation we've received around Dillon Field House. In addition, we have a Junior varsity coach for the first time, which has given more respectability to our JV's."

Field has a number of veterans returning from last year who should from the nucleus of this year's squad. Maud Wood has the center halfback slot nailed down, with co-captain Diane Finch and Maureen Mason at the other halfback spots.

On defense, Anne Dupuis will man one fullback berth, with co-captain Carlene Rhodes and Nina Stranad alternating in goal. Starting forwards should include Lucy Wood, Che-Nan Tang and Abbie Homans.

"As for the other starters, right now I couldn't say," Field said. "I'll know a little more after the scrimmage."

With the exception of the crucial loss of star forward Karen Linsley, who suffered pulled knee ligaments last week, the team has, been relatively injury free.