Having reestablished itself as one of the top squads in the region, the Boston University field hockey team enters its 2007 campaign with a hunger and a desire to take the program a step further. After winning back-to-back America East titles for the second time in school history, this year’s team will try to become the first Terrier team to make three straight appearances in the NCAA tournament.

Bolstered by one of the team’s largest senior groups in recent history and supported by an impressive group of young players, the Terriers will put a team on the field this fall that boasts talent, experience and confidence.

"These seniors have simply gotten better and better each year, and we have been so impressed by the huge strides made by our younger players," said head coach Sally Starr, who enters her 27th season at the helm.

Tri-captains Hadley Adams, Pam Spuehler and Sarah Hudak make up half of the six-member senior class and each represents a third of the field at striker, midfield and back, respectively, to give the Terriers veteran leadership throughout the field

Last fall, the Terriers set a program record with 14 different players scoring at least one goal. Eleven of those players return this year, including eight starters, and they accounted for 46 of the team’s 56 tallies from a year ago.

While all the ingredients seem to be in place for another successful journey, the team will be challenged throughout the year by one of its toughest schedules ever.

"In order to be the best, you have to play the best," said Starr. "We will take a day-to-day, practice-to-practice approach as we focus on achieving our potential."

Paced by a trio of seniors coming off standout junior campaigns, the BU strikers have established themselves as a potent unit.

While the three will be counted on to shoulder the scoring load, there are plenty of other talented attackers on the squad to give the group tremendous depth. The coaching staff will have several options as it looks to fill the void left by the graduation of Amy Seaman, who tied for second on last year’s squad in goals with seven.

"Our good depth within our strikers will allow us to rotate and keep fresh legs on the field," said Starr. "We want to maintain a fast-paced style, whether it’s on offense or defense."

While the team averaged nearly three goals a game last season, it also was shut out on five occasions after putting together a streak of scoring at least one goal in 23 straight contests. The coaching staff feels it has taken the steps to keep the Terriers on the scoreboard, regardless of the opponent.

"Our main point of emphasis this spring with our forwards was to help develop their scoring repertoire," said Starr. "We have always counted on redirections and deflections Our strikers need to be dangerous immediately after entering the circle."

The senior trio is spearheaded by Sarah Shute, a two-time first-team all-conference pick who tallied a team-best 34 points last fall. The striker enters her final season ranked fifth in school history in career goals (30) and is tied for seventh in career points (73). She has taken on more and more responsibility in the circle with each passing year and is looking forward to a productive senior campaign.

"Desire, commitment and persistence, combined with skill, hockey smarts and athletic talent, have allowed Sarah to consistently make positive contributions to the continued success of the team," said Starr. "She is a formidable opponent."

A highly-skilled striker with deceptive speed, Hayley Hamada had a breakout junior campaign, tallying 22 points, including a team-best eight assists, to earn All-Region honors for the first time in her career. She erupted for 14 points during a five-game stretch leading up to the NCAA tournament.

"Hayley has the ability to create many team attacking opportunities for us," said Starr. "Her tenacity, fearlessness and ability to execute in front of the cage will certainly be assets to our attack."

Adams has battled injuries to become an efficient striker for the Terriers. She found the back of the cage four times last season and added three assists for a total of 11 points, good for sixth on the team.

"Hadley is a lightening-fast attacker and she uses her speed to perform at a high level," said associate head coach Tracey Paul. "Her positive attitude continues to influence the performance, confidence and excitement of her teammates, making her a great captain."

Sophomore Gabby Hajjar was an important member of the team’s attacking unit as a redshirt freshman, playing in 19 games and making five starts while tallying three goals. With a year under her belt, she will be expected to take on a larger role this fall.

"With a nose for the goal and skilled, quick hands, Gabby has a great deal of potential," said Starr. "Her determined style of play will empower our attack."

In addition to the three seniors and Hajjar is a group of three juniors who have all fought through injuries at various stages and degrees over the past three years.

After injuries prevented her from making her collegiate debut until last season, junior Hayly Ross appeared in 12 games and earned the team’s BUFHA Spirit Award. Her classmate, Emily Davis, missed the entire 2006 season due to a severe injury, but has done everything necessary to make a comeback.

"Hayly and Emily are truly committed athletes," said Starr. "Hayly’s inner strength and quiet leadership serve the team well and having Emily on the field this fall is a result of her unwillingness to abandon her dream. Her persistence through her injury rehabilitation is an inspiration."

Fellow junior Tamara Becker was an important contributor off the bench last season, making appearances in 11 contests before being held up by an injury during the spring.

"Tamara is a fearless player who adds depth to our strikers," said Paul. "She will be on an accelerated learning process in the preseason to strengthen her positional confidence following her injury."

Allie Dolce, a redshirt freshman, will give the coaching staff yet another option on the attack.

"Allie is an intense player who is always ready to demonstrate what she can do at any given minute," said Starr. "She continues to develop into a formidable striker."

Rounding out the forwards is a pair of talented incoming freshmen, as Kali Cardoza and Paige Kelly join the Terriers from Madison, Conn., and Wilbraham, Mass., respectively.

"Kali and Paige’s athleticism and potential, combined with their commitment to excellence, should allow them to develop into outstanding strikers," said Starr.

The Terrier midfield will be mainly anchored by a four-person group that includes each of the past three America East Rookies of the Year and another who earned a spot on last year’s conference All-Rookie Team.

"We are looking forward to a very productive season from our midfield," said Starr. "Our flexibility and versatility at allows us to play different people at different positions. They are a "hockey-smart" group."

Leading the way is Spuehler, a two-time All-American who hopes to close out her illustrious career with an impressive senior season. A catalyst for the team’s offensive attack as well as a stopper on the defensive end, Spuehler was the lone player from the America East to earn All-America honors last fall.

"Pam continues to raise the performance levels of our team with her skill, speed, versatility and experience," said Paul. "Her selflessness and outstanding work ethic set great examples for our younger players."

After moving back following a standout freshman campaign as a striker, Holly Wiles has established herself as one of the most talented players in the conference. She will see time at the midfield and as a back, and will be expected to take on more of a leadership role as she enters her junior year.

"Holly is a skilled, poised and talented athlete who is a fiercely aggressive competitor," said Paul. "Her leadership and ability to anticipate the flow of the game helps organize our defensive structure."

Sophomore Suus Dekker became the third straight Terrier to garner league Rookie of the Year honors (Spuehler, 2004; Wiles, 2005) last season after making an instant impact by tallying six goals and making her presence felt on both ends of the field.

"Suus is a confident competitor who plays with fearlessness," said Starr. "Her skill, speed and game sense will play a significant role in our team’s mission this fall."

Haley Robinson entered the Terrier lineup last year after red-shirting the 2005 campaign and appeared in 17 games, making seven starts. Now a sophomore, she will use her experience to become a critical component of the team’s midfield.

"Haley is a gutsy athlete whose speed and quick hands are a great asset," said Starr. "She has the ability to dig down deep and make tremendous contributions."

Led by two seniors, a junior, and two redshirt freshmen who are eager to hit the field, the Terriers’ defense expects to turn in yet another fine season.

Last year, the team posted seven shutouts and allowed just 1.43 goals per contest, and the group returns all but one player from a year ago following the graduation of three-year starter Erin Calamari.

"Each of our backs has definitely matured over the past season and they can defend and possess the ball well," said Starr. "They are good decision-makers who feed well, see the seams and know when to make a safe pass or a killer pass."

Hudak, a fifth-year senior, moved to the defensive end from the midfield this spring and immediately brought a veteran presence to the position as an outside back.

"Sarah brings maturity and a wealth of playing experience to the team," said Paul. "Playing as an outside back will give her the opportunity to show her outstanding transitional attacking skills and allow our team to be more multi-dimensional."

Anchoring the middle is senior Laura Dean, who enters her third year as a starter. Dean has consistently improved every season and has developed into a defensive stalwart.

"Laura has the mind-set and the "heart-set" to help develop team concentration and confidence in our ability to execute a game plan," said Paul.

Voted the team’s most improved player, junior Lizzie Perreault turned in an impressive sophomore season and is ready to take her game to another level as an upperclassman.

"Reliable, skilled and poised, Lizzie is a relentless and tough defender with game smarts," said Paul. "She is a good communicator and has developed into an excellent and dependable left back."

Ciara Corbett and Maryette Stuart were dedicated redshirt freshmen over the past year and both have bright futures ahead of them.

"Ciara is a disciplined athlete who has the strength to do all it takes to reach her full ability and become an outstanding attacking back," said Starr. "Maryette is a strong and tenacious competitor who is truly committed to doing the little things necessary to achieve her limitless potential."

Following the graduation of four-year starter Erin Prediger, whoever emerges as the Terriers’ goalkeeper for this year’s season opener will also be making her collegiate debut.

Two netminders figure to vie for the starting spot, as redshirt freshman Amanda Smith and freshman Kim Kastuk enter the fall with hopes of filling the vacancy. Smith has made huge strides throughout the past year and had her first game experience against collegiate competition during the spring season.

"Amanda had a great spring, helping us reach the championship game of the Mercian Cup," said Starr. "She is a coachable, hard worker who has certainly improved the overall quality of her effectiveness as a goalkeeper."

One of the best young goalkeepers in the country, Kastuk, a native of Putnam Valley, N.Y., earned a spot on the U.S. Under-19 Team this past summer after an impressive performance at the Junior National Camp.

"Kim has an impressive mind-set for a freshman goalkeeper," said Starr. "She thrives under pressure and loves a challenge, and her athleticism should allow her to be effective at the college level immediately."

Another newcomer is sophomore Hannah Clarisse, who joined the team in the spring to add depth to the youthful group. She came to BU from Middlebury (Vt.) Union High School.

"Since joining our team, Hannah has worked hard to improve and perform at a higher level," said Starr. "Her love of the game is evident in her commitment to the team."

The aforementioned schedule pits the Terriers against five teams that qualified for the 2006 NCAA tournament, including three national semifinalists. In addition to taking on two-time defending champion Maryland, BU will also match-up with Duke and UConn, who each advanced to last fall’s final four.

Two other ACC schools are part of the 2007 schedule, as local rival Boston College and Virginia round out the group NCAA participants. Last year, the Terriers posted a 2-1 upset victory against the then-No. 7 Cavaliers.

"Our strength of schedule will allow us to consistently find out where we stand nationally and help us to continue raising the bar throughout the year," said Starr.

BU will kick off September with a trip to Michigan State to face an improved Spartan squad and Miami (Ohio). The non-conference schedule also features a home contest against Providence, which was ranked 11th in last year’s final NFHCA Coaches’ Poll, and road games against cross-town rivals Northeastern and Harvard.

The two-time defending America East champions will open up their conference schedule on Sept. 28 with a home contest against New Hampshire.