2004-05 season articles

Seven Field Hockey players earn academic honor

March 7, 2005
GLEN ALLEN, Va. — Seven members of the Earlham College field hockey team were honored this week by the Natioinal Field Hockey Coasches Association.

Here's a list of the athletes on the All-NFHCA All-Academic Team, who had a 3.3 GPA or higher during the 2004 season:
• Anna Benfield (Takoma Park, MD/Montgomery Blair)
• Susanna Curry (Davis, CA/Davis)
• Katie deButts (Lincoln, VA/Loudoun Valley)
• Lydia Hanson (Jefferson, MD/Sandy Springs Friends)
• Liz Johnston (Carbondale, CO/Colorado Rocky Mountain)
• Mareike Stanitzke (Hamburg, Germany White Mountain)
• Janna White (LaPorte, IN/Scattergood Friends)

As a squad, the Quakers were on the honable mention list for the Academic Team Award for a collective 3.0 GPA or higher during the fall semester. NFHCA press release.

Field Hockey players earn NCAC honors

Nov. 18, 2004
CLEVELAND, Ohio— The Earlham College field hockey team had three players honored by the the North Coast Athletic Conference on Thursday.

Kailynn Kitaji (Gilroy, CA/Gilroy) was selected for the All-NCAC second team, while Mareike Stanitzke (Hamburg, Germany/White Mountain) and Galen McLean (Hopkinton, NH/Hopkinton) were honorable mention choices.

Field Hockey announces 2004 awards

Nov. 10, 2004
RICHMOND, Ind.— Earlham College field hockey coach Jill Butcher announced the team awards for 2004 on Wednesday.

Here are the winners:
• Most Valuable Player: Mareike Stanitzke (Hamburg, Germany/White Mountain)
• Most Valuable Player: Kailynn Kataji (Gilroy, CA/Gilroy)
• Most Improved: Sophia Salguero (Silver Spring, MD/John F. Kennedy)
• Outstanding Rookie: Liz Buehler (Hartland, WI/Arrowhead)
• Coach's Award: Liz Johnston (Carbondale, CO/Colorado Rocky Mountain)

Field Hockey ends season at Kenyon

Oct. 30, 2004
GAMBIER, Ohio— The Earlham College field hockey team was defeated by Kenyon College 5-0 Saturday afternoon.

The Quakers finish the season 0-16 overall and 0-12 in the North Coast Athletic Conference.

Field Hockey team plays last game at home

Oct. 26, 2004
RICHMOND, Ind. — The Earlham College field hockey squad was defeated by Denison University 5-1 Tuesday afternoon at Comstock Field in a North Coast Athletic Conference match.

With the Quakers down 2-0, Becca Jordan (Montpelier, VT/Montpelier) scored at 21:15 with an assist from Kailynn Kataji (Gilroy, CA/Gilroy), but Denison added three more goals after that.

Earlham (0-15, 0-11) finishes the regular season Saturday at Kenyon. The NCAC contest is at 1 p.m.

Field Hockey visits Transylvania

Oct. 23, 2004
LEXINGTON, KY — The Earlham College field hockey dropped a 2-1 decision to Transylvania University Saturday.

Kailynn Kitaji (Gilroy, CA/Gilroy) scored the goal for the Quakers. Anna Benfield (Takoma Park, MD/Montgomery Blair) had eight saves for Earlham.

The Quakers (0-14) entertain North Coast Athletic Conference opponent Denison University on Tuesday. The match starts at 3:30 p.m. on Comstock Field.

Field Hockey team plays at Wittenberg

Oct. 21, 2004
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Earlham College field hockey team was defeated by Wittenberg University 8-0 Thursday night.

Earlham (0-13, 0-9 in the North Coast Athletic Conference) is at Transylvania Saturday. The non-conference match is at noon (Indiana time).

Field Hockey continues NCAC play

Oct. 16, 2004
RICHMOND, Ind. — The Earlham College field hockey team was defeated 5-1 Saturday by Oberlin College in a North Coast Athletic Conference match at Comstock Field,

Kailynn Kitaji (Gilroy, CA/Gilroy) scored Earlham's goal at 39:19 to make it 3-1. Oberlin added two more goals in the second half.

Earlham (0-12, 0-9) is at Wittenberg Thursday. The NCAC contest is at 6 p.m. (Indiana time).

Field Hockey plays double overtime contest

Oct. 12, 2004
RICHMOND, Ind. — The Earlham College field hockey team lost 2-1 in double overtime Tuesday afternoon to Kenyon College in a North Coast Athletic Conference match at Comstock Field.

Kenyon scored in the first half, while the Quakers tied the game in the second on a goal by Mareike Stanitzke (Hamburg, Germany/White Mountain) at 50:48. Kenyon won the game on a penalty stoke as 93:03 in the second exter period.

"I am extremely pleased with the way we played," Earlham coach Jill Butcher said. "In the second half we dominated."

Earlham goalie Anna Benfield (Takoma Park, MD/Montgomery Blair) had 16 saves, including one on a penalty stoke in the second overtime.

"She was fantastic in goal," Butcher said. "It was a well played competitive game,"

The Quakers (0-11, 0-8) plays at home Saturday morning against Oberlin. The NCAC match begins at 11 a.m.

Field Hockey falls at home in NCAC contest

Oct. 9, 2004
RICHMOND, Ind. — The Earlham College field hockey team lost 4-1 Saturday afternoon to Wooster in a North Coast Athletic Conference match at Comstock Field.

Wooster led 1-0 after the first half and then added another goal early in the second half before the Quakers got on the scoreboard. Kailynn Kitaji (Gilroy, CA/Gilroy) scored at 47:05 to make it 2-1. Wooster scored two more times after that.

Earlham (0-1, 0-7) plays at home Tuesday against Kenyon. The NCAC match begins at 4 p.m. on Comstck Field.

Field Hockey plays tight match on the road

Oct. 7, 2004
GRANVILLE, Ohio— All of the offense was in the first half Thursday afternoon as the Earlham College field hockey team was defeated by Dension University 2-1 in a North Coast Athletic Conference contest.

After Earlham surrended two goals in the first 16 minutes of the match, Kailynn Kitaji (Gilroy, CA/ Gilroy) scored for the Quakers at 29:44 to make it 2-1.

Earlham (0-9, 0-6) had several opportunities late in the game to tie as the Quakers held Denison (5-6, 4-3) scoreless for the final 54 minutes. Goalie Anna Benfield (Takoma Park, MD/Montgomery Blair) had 16 saves for the Quakers.

The Quakers get back on the field Saturday at home against Wooster. The NCAC match begins at noon.

Field Hockey falls in close contest

Oct. 1, 2004
RICHMOND, Ind. — Earlham College's field hockey squad found the goal twice Friday afternoon, but it wasn't enough as the Quakers lost 3-2 to North Coast Athletic Conference foe Ohio Wesleyan.

Mareike Stanitzke (Hamburg, Germany/White Mountain) scored at 21:42 with an assist from Galen McLean (Hopkinton, NH/Hopkinton) to make it 1-1 in the first half. Ohio Wesleyan scored two times to grab a 3-1 advantage in the second half. Kailynn Kitaji (Gilroy, CA/ Gilroy) added a goal for Earlham at 52:25 on an assist from Becca Jordan (Montpelier, VT Montpelier).

Earlham had a 17-4 edge in penalty corners, but a few mistakes made the difference.

"We did a good job of possessing the ball," Earlham coach Jill Butcher said. "We had a defensive breakdown and they capitalized on it."

The Quakers (0-8, 0-5) return to action Thursday at Dension. The NCAC match begins at 3:30 p.m. (Indiana time).

Field Hockey coach pleased with effort

Sept. 25, 2004
OBERLIN, Ohio — Earlham College field hockey coach Jill Butcher was happy with her team's effort on Saturday morning, despite a 1-0 loss on the road to North Coast Athletic Conference foe Oberlin College.

With the last week, the Quakers lost 5-0 to Wooster, while Oberlin defeated Wooster 2-1 in double overtime.

"We came back and just played tremendously and held Oberlin scoreless for 68 minutes," Butcher said. "We had our opportunities. I'm extremely proud of the turnaround of this team."

Goalie Anna Benfield (Takoma Park, MD/Montgomery Blair) had 24 saves for the Quakers. Elizabeth Johnston (Carbondale, CO/Colorado Rocky Mountain) had a defensive save on a shot that got by Benfield. Oberlin (4-3, 3-0) scored at the 67:55 mark in the 70-minute affair.

Earlham (0-7, 0-4) returns to action next Friday at home against Ohio Wesleyan. The NCAC match begins at 4:30 p.m. at Comstock Field.

Field Hockey drops NCAC contest

Sept. 22, 2004
RICHMOND, Ind. — The Earlham College field hockey squad was defeated by Wittenberg 6-1 Wednesday afternoon in a North Coast Athletic Conference match at Comstock Field.

Kailynn Kitaji (Gilroy, CA/Gilroy) scored Earlham's goal at 12:39 in the first half to tie the score. The Tigers (5-1, 2-1) led 3-1 at intermission before adding three more goals in the second half. Anna Benfield (Takoma Park, MD/Montgomery Blair) had four saves for the Quakers (0-6, 0-3).

Earlham returns to action Saturday at Oberlin. The NCAC contest begins at 10 a.m.

Field Hockey squad on road at Wooster

Sept. 18, 2004
WOOSTER, Ohio — The Earlham College field hockey team lost 5-0 at Wooster on Saturday afternoon.

The Quakers are 0-5 and 0-2 in the North Coast Conference. Earlham plays at home Wednesday against NCAC foe Wittenberg. The match begins at 4:30 p.m. at Comstock Field.

Field Hockey starts NCAC play

Sept. 8, 2004
DELAWARE, Ohio — The Earlham College field hockey team dropped its North Coast Athletic Conference opener Wednesday afternoon 1-0 to Ohio Wesleyan.

The Quakers had a 5-1 shot advantage in the second half, but couldn't tie the game, which was played in a driving rainstorm. Earlham also had an 11-2 edge in penalty corners, which pleased coach Jill Butcher.

"We've given up more than we've taken," Butcher said. "That's an excellent improvement, but we've got to be able to score. We've got to capitalize on those opportunities."

Ohio Wesleyan (1-3 ,1-1) scored in the first half. Anna Benfield (Takoma Park, MD/Montgomery Blair) had three saves for the Quakers (0-4, 0-1).

Earlham returns to action next Saturday at Wooster. The NCAC match starts at 1 p.m. (Indiana time).

Field Hockey gets ready for NCAC

Sept. 5, 2004
DANVILLE, Ky.— Earlham College was defeated by The University of the South 5-0 Sunday morning in the Quakers' finale in the Centre College Field Hockey Kickoff as the team prepares for Wednesday's North Coast Athletic Conference opener.

Goalie Anna Benfield (Takoma Park, MD/Montgomery Blair) had 17 saves. The University of the South led 1-0 at the half before scoring four times in the second period.

"I thought we played a very good half," Earlham coach Jill Butcher said. "We knew it was going to be tough. Hopefully, we will be ready to start the NCAC."

The Quakers (0-3) play at Ohio Wesleyan on Wednesday. The NCAC contest begins at 3:30 p.m. (Indiana Time).

Field Hockey in Centre Tournament

Sept. 4, 2004
DANVILLE, Ky.— Earlham College lost 6-0 to Bellarmine Saturday afternoon in the first round of the Centre College Field Hockey Kickoff.

First-year goalie Anna Benfield (Takoma Park, MD/Montgomery Blair) had 14 saves. Sarah Roney scored three goals for Bellarmine (2-2), which is a Division II school.

Earlham (0-2) plays The University of the South Sunday in the second day of the event at Centre. The match starts at 9 a.m. (Indiana time).

Field hockey opens at home

Sept. 1, 2004
RICHMOND, Ind. — Earlham College's field hockey team began the season with a 1-0 loss Wednesday afternoon to DePauw University at Comstock Field.

"I saw a tremendous amount of improvement from the scrimmage last week," Earlham coach Jill Butcher said. "One of the things we'll have to continue to improve upon is maintaining an attack from the backfield and maintain possession. We have to be hungrier to score."

First-year goalie Anna Benfield (Takoma Park, MD/Montgomery Blair) had nine saves. DePauw's Rebecca Gaines scored with 19:15 left in the first half for the Tigers (1-0).

The Quakers (0-1) play Bellarmine Saturday at Centre College. The non-conference match begins at 1 p.m. (Indiana time).

2004 season preview

Sept. 1, 2004
RICHMOND, Ind. — The roster for Earlham College's field hockey team will have a different look in 2004 according to coach Jill Butcher.

"We lost four significant contributors to graduation," Butcher said. "Two of them were our leading scorers. That's some significant firepower to lose."

Becca Aldred, a two-time North Coast Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year is gone along with the other top scorer Logan Fitzpatrick, who was one goal behind Aldred with nine.

"It's going to be tough," Butcher said. "We pretty much lost the right side of our field. We do have a couple of players returning who were off campus last fall and should contribute offensively.

Katie deButts (Lincoln, VA/Loudoun Valley) and Mareike Stanitzke (Hamburg, Germany/White Mountain) are those two returning players.

"It helps to get them back," Butcher said.

There are six seniors on the squad, but only one is a four-year starter. Kailynn Kataji (Gilroy, CA/Gilroy), who had two goals and four assists, is the leading scorer back.

We're pretty inexperienced," Butcher said. "We're going to have a very young defense."

But also a youthful offense.

" We depended on Becca a lot," Butcher said. "We've changed our alignment a little bit and we're trying to make sure that everybody understands (her) role. They've got to step up and play. Nobody can be afraid to take a shot."

The team is growing during the pre-season.

"They're beginning to understand," Butcher said. "We've got a group of players who are working very well with each other."

Earlham begins the season at home with DePauw on Sept.1 before heading to the Centre College Tournament on Sept. 4-5 to face Bellarmine and The University of the South.

"We probably open against the three hardest opponents we've ever opened against," Butcher said. "The first week is going to tell us a lot. They're pretty gutsy and that's going to be to their credit later. We're going to make our mistakes with the immaturity. I'm just trying to be patient, so that we can get past those."

More about field hockey

In the early 1980s, the Quaker field hockey team won three district titles and earned a trip to the American Intercollegiate Athletic Association for Women's national tournament. Between 1991 and 1993, Earlham captured three consecutive Indiana Division III state championships.

In a move to affiliate itself with other colleges with like academic philosophies, Earlham joined the North Coast Athletic Conference in 1989. In its 15-year history, the conference has been represented in the NCAA Division III tournament by at least one team every season and by two teams on eight occasions.

While participants in the Quaker field hockey program take their athletic commitment seriously, they are counseled to give academics top priority. In 2000, both Diane Hamilton (Reed City, MI) and Kate Eisenbise (Hershey, PA) , received the Kathryn Weber Award for maintaining high academic standards and making significant contributions to the Earlham athletic department.

Katie McCarthy was a recipient of the 1997 North Coast Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete Award. The award recognized her as the outstanding female senior student-athlete at Earlham. The art & psychology major compiled a 3.92 grade-point average, and was a four-year letterwinner in field hockey. In her final three years, she earned all-NCAC and all-Great Lakes Region second-team honors, and was named to all-Indiana Division III first team. McCarthy also earned national academic honors from the Collegiate Field Hockey Coaches Association.

Belonging to the NCAA Division III, Earlham offers academic scholarships to qualifying students as well as need-based financial aid. For more information, contact head field hockey coach Jill Butcher at 765/983-1481, or by e-mail at butchji@earlham.edu.

Quaker Coaching Staff

Head Coach Jill Butcher

Assistant Coach Gina Preston