SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Skidmore College Field Hockey team looks to keep an impressive Liberty League postseason streak going, as it prepares for the 2019 season. The Thoroughbreds will begin their campaign on Saturday, as they host Saint Joseph's College of Maine at Wagner Park at 1 p.m.
 
Skidmore saw a couple of breaks go the other way last season, as the team went 8-11 overall. Seven of those losses were one-goal games, including a trio of overtime heartbreakers against ranked Montclair State, William Smith, and Rochester. Despite that, the Thoroughbreds were able to rally and advance to the Liberty League Semifinal. They are the only league team to make the tournament, having been a fixture in the past 15 events. Skidmore leads the Liberty League with eight tournament titles. The Thoroughbreds look to develop the culture that will bring them back to championship form.
 
"Last year did not live up to potential, but there is a feeling from this group that last year was an anomaly and we are back to business," said head coach Beth Hallenbeck, entering her 19^th season with the Thoroughbreds. "The leadership and culture are great, and with so many new players coming in, all they see hard work and an ability to rise to the occasion."
 
With 13 returning players, Skidmore looks to once again make noise on a regional and national level. Leading the team are three captains, senior midfielder Jordan Mjaatvedt, junior midfielder Sarah Winters, and junior defender Natalie Metzger. All three have already shown leadership abilities, making it a natural fit for Hallenbeck and the rest of the team.
 
"Our captains put us in a really good shape," said Hallenbeck. "Jordan came in as a transfer last year, and I've been impressed by how quickly she's settled in. Sarah has done a fabulous job, not only playing, but with organizing everything. Natalie is a rock-solid defender that grew into a great leader. It's great to have leaders on every level of the field."
 
The young Thoroughbreds saw a lot of playing time last season, and that early development could be crucial in a fast start to the 2019 season. Up front, Mjaatvedt joins sophomores Mariah Redler, Gabrielle Vaccaro, and Annabelle Oates in what is a crowded forward group. Redler is Skidmore's lone returning All-Liberty League Honoree. She finished with six goals and two assists for 14 points.
 
Patrolling the midfield with Winters is junior Ellie Bowen and sophomores Sofia Marshall and Hannah Curtis. All three saw lots of playing time last season and will look to bring that knowledge to the field in 2019.
 
On defense, Metzger headlines another young, but experienced group. Sophomores Madeleine Michaels and Carolyn Blackman both saw action in 10+ games last season and will be looked upon to fortify the Skidmore back line.
 
There will be a new starter in goalie with the departure of All-Liberty League talent Elizabeth Coughlin. Despite this, the Thoroughbreds have two players that are up to the task. Maddy Carre is a hard-working senior that has been solid with the playing time given to her. She was excellent as a freshman, posting a 1.15 goals-against-average in 2016. Sophomore Jess Gaetgens played in four games as a freshman last season, posting a .778 save percentage.
 
How quickly the rookie class gels may be key to the success of Skidmore this season. The Thoroughbreds bring in seven freshmen and one junior transfer, all who will look to earn playing time immediately. Bella Faber and Morgan Sickels will join the attack, Carrie Hughes, Carly Shea, and Hanako Memon will look to earn playing time in the midfield, and Marley Wahler and Lauren Ruggiero will patrol the Skidmore defense. Junior midfielder Ana Sherwood joins the team after spending two seasons at Division I Villanova. Sherwood has seen her share of big games and has already come through in big moments on the game's highest level.
 
The Thoroughbreds have traditionally enjoyed a grueling schedule, and that continues into this season. Skidmore, receiving votes in the preseason National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll, will take on six other teams that are featured in the preseason poll.