OBERLIN, Ohio - With a dynamic mix of youth and experience, Oberlin College field hockey and second-year head coach Tiffany Saunders return on September 3, hoping to build on the foundation of a productive offseason.
 
"We worked really hard in the spring on our strength and skills and it is nice to have everyone back and see that we have a great foundation," said Saunders. "We seem to be picking up right where we left off in the spring and it feels great."
 
Saunders returns 12 players from a year ago, including six seniors. The Yeowomen's leading scorers from 2015 - Maureen Coffey and Ariana Enzerink -  are back and ready to trouble opposing goalies. Coffey led the way offensively for Saunders' crew with eight scores, followed by Enzerink, who netted three goals in her junior year.
 
In the midfield and defensive end, seniors Emma Hahn, Julia Birenbaum and Aditi Banerjee will be looked to for their experience. The trio has played in a combined 100 matches for the Yeowomen heading into the 2016 campaign.
 
Prolific shot-stopper Maggie Gossiaux is back to protect the Oberlin net for the fourth and final year after two extremely productive seasons as the Yeowomen's net minder. As a sophomore, the Metuchen, New Jersey native led the country in saves, before returning as a junior to lead the North Coast Athletic Conference for the second consecutive time with 201 stops. The two-time First-Team All-NCAC selection enters her final year with 508 career saves in over 2,200 minutes between the pipes.
 
"Maggie is extremely important to our success and she has been incredible the past two season," said Saunders. "From what I have seen in the preseason, she is still on fire and it will be exciting to watch her final year."
 
Backing up Gossiaux will be sophomore Kennedy Kline who showed great promise in limited appearances as a first-year. Kline managed 34 saves in six appearances in goal, including two starts.
 
The lone junior on the roster card is midfielder Dillon Sebastian, who tallied one goal and started all 19 contests last year after battling a season-ending injury as a sophomore. Sabastian's presence in the midfield is key for Oberlin's success in transition.
 
"All of our upperclassmen provide great leadership this year and they all will contribute in a different way," commented Saunders.
 
Sophomores Meg Parker, Julie Schreiber, Emma Broun and Amelia Haung round out Saunder's group of returners. All four saw considerable playing time in their first-year and are likely to be called upon more frequently in their second year. Schreiber, who began her career as a keeper will migrate to defender for the 2016 campaign.
 
Rejoining the team for her senior year is Jennifer Krakower, who last saw action during the 2013 campaign, when she started 10 games, netted one goal and tallied one defensive save. Another addition to the 2016 roster is sophomore Katie Ryan-O'Flaherty, who will help occupy the midfield.
 
"The additions of Katie and Jen have been great. They bring experience and a wealth of knowledge and are ready to step in." stated Saunders.
 
Newcomers Luisa McGarvey and Libby Royer add depth to the Yeowomen midfield and have already shown promise in preseason training according to Saunders.
 
"Luisa and Libby have made a strong connection with the team and it has been fun to watch. "They have great speed and stick skill and already know what to do with the ball as far as game concept and strategy. They have fallen right in line with our coaching philosophies and the team dynamic."
 
The last new face to be feature of the 2016 roster is assistant coach Jessica Franklin, who joins the team after serving as an assistant coach at SUNY-Oswego for the past two seasons.
 
As an undergraduate, Franklin played forward at Utica College. In her four years, she helped the Pioneers to two Empire 8 Conference titles and two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.
 
"Jess's knowledge and contribution has already helped the team," explained Saunders. "Everyone has responded great to her transition and she is a great addition to our program. It is awesome to have her experience to help push the program forward."
 
The Yeowomen kick off the year in Newport News, Virginia, where they will battle on Randolph-Macon College and host Christopher Newport University on Saturday and Sunday, September 3 and 4.
 
After Crimson and Gold return to the Buckeye State, they will travel to Denison University on September 10, before testing their luck against the defending NCAC Champions, Kenyon College in a mid-week matchup three days later.
 
The Oberlin faithful will have to wait until September 17, when Saunders and company host the Earlham College Quakers in the 2016 home opener.