Simmons Field Hockey ended a whirlwind season on the last week of October, finishing out the season with a 5-13 overall record, 0-6 in the North Atlantic Conference.

First year Head Coach Kate Leonard, along with second year Assistant Natasha Snowden, pushed the Sharks through a true rebuilding year. The season featured seven returners from 2007, as well as nine freshmen, who took on the task of renewing the Simmons Field Hockey program. As their record reflects, it wasn't an easy year for the Sharks. However, Leonard believes that Simmons is well on their way to a higher level of play in 2009.

Several Sharks were recognized at the close of the season by the NAC for their individual achievements. Junior forward Emily Sypher (Orono, Maine) was given an NAC 2008 All-Conference Honorable Mention. Sypher, an 18-game starter, finished the season with 4 goals and 5 assists.

Freshman back Kelly Garrity (Reading, Mass.) was named to the 2008 All-Conference Second Team. Garrity finished her first year of collegiate play with 2 goals and one assist. Garrity was "pretty much unstoppable" at the sweeper position, according to Leonard. "Her rocket drives found their way through for the transition as well as into the back of the net for goals. As she gained confidence she made a huge impact on our defensive style and play, coming up again and again with the ball."

 "I don't think our record shows how well some of our games went and how much we improved throughout the year. That being said, we have a lot to improve in order to get to that next level," said Leonard. "We can accomplish this by continuing to work on our positioning so those great passes turn into goals; we will work on disciplining ourselves more on recovery defense, double teaming, and clearing the ball out on defense. Upping our confidence and belief in our ability will certainly help too."

Accordingly, Simmons Field Hockey was also given the 2008 NAC Team Sportsmanship Award, in recognition of their superior sportsmanship and perseverance this fall.

Senior Katie Bonney (Auburn, Maine) and junior Maggie Weeks (Tuftonboro, N.H.) served as team captains for 2008. Bonney, an 18-game starter, finished the year with 8 goals and led the team in points earned (16). "Bonney brought the intensity we sometimes lacked and was a trustworthy commentator," said Leonard. Weeks, also an 18-game starter, tallied one goal and one assist. "Maggie was a steady, positive energy," said Leonard. "If someone was feeling down, Maggie was a great role model and help. Maggie made smart comments and worked hard to improve herself and her team."

Bonney will graduate in the spring after four years competing as part of the Simmons Field Hockey program. "To summarize our season in a couple sentences would be impossible," said Bonney. "As a team we were able to make field hockey fun again, and we never took for granted the feeling of winning and success. Most of all, we came together through some of the most difficult games I have experienced in four years. Simmons Field Hockey has the ability to be a highly competitive team in the NAC conference and I know these young women are more than capable of making that happen in the future."

Several other athletes made an impact on the season. Junior goalkeeper Jen Szkolt (Bondsville, Mass.) once again stepped up to the challenge of defending the Sharks' goal in 2008. Despite not beginning her Simmons career as keeper, Szkolt adjusted to the position in 2007 and again in 2008. This season she recorded 89 saves and 2 shutouts for the Sharks in 993 minutes of play.

Freshman forward Lee Sutherland (Tuftonboro, N.H.) racked up 3 goals and 5 assists in her first year of collegiate play, and started 17 games for the Sharks. "Lee is fearless and tireless, and created far more scoring opportunities than we were able to take advantage of," said Leonard. "She improved in her ability to see the field and work with others and seemed to be rushing every ball as if it was her last chance to ever win one. We need this kind of determination from all our players."

Simmons Field Hockey will enter the winter with determination to return as an experienced, cohesive team. "I already look forward to next year because at the end of this season we started to prove our worth," said Leonard. "This young team is extremely talented and when we click great things happen. It will take hard work and intensity from each individual, but I will put my best effort in to hold them to high expectations and help them believe in their abilities."