Davis, Calif. — UC Davis field hockey will enter the second season under head coach Austin Pile, Friday, August 25 as the Aggies host Rutgers to begin the 2023 campaign. UC Davis will also play host to Miami of Ohio on Saturday, and conclude the home-stand with a game against Maryland on Monday.
While UC Davis finished last year with an overall record of 2-13, the Aggies should see progression and better fortunes this year, after losing six games in 2022 by just one goal.
UC Davis returns nine players who earned starts in 2022, and coach Pile is excited for the growth of his team throughout the year in what figures to be one of the more difficult strength of schedules in the country.
"This season we are putting a huge focus on growing in our non-conference games and learning those first three weeks so we are the best we can be going into our conference games."
CAPTAINS
The captains for the 2023 season include Shannon Lackey, Zoe Mohrman and Brenna Brophy. Lackey, the former national champion, provides a winning background and a steadiness to the midfield. In her debut season with the Aggies last year, Lackey started 10 games, scoring two goals and recording one assist.
Mohrman, the heart and soul of the Aggie defense last year along with new assistant coach Izzy Porco, is back for her junior season and was one of four Aggies to start in all 15 games last season.
Brophy is poised for a breakout season as a key figure of the Aggie backline along with Mohrman.
FANTASTIC FOUR
UC Davis brings back experience at all positions across the field. Coach Pile returns four Aggies who started in all 15 games last year in the form of Lizzy Tedrow, Skylar Richards, Caroline Stutte, and the aforementioned Mohrman. He believes, "this group will have a big impact on our season." Last season, Tedrow and Richards were second and third on the team in points respectively.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
On top of some important returners, the Aggies have a few new faces who could immediately step in and provide quality contributions. Of those who are on the short-list includes, transfer Liselotte Koop, and freshman Hannah Dunfee. Koop is a former All-NEC First Team selection and NEC Rookie of the Year from Wagner University. Dunfee prepped at Canyon Hills High School in San Diego and should be able to provide a steady presence on the field in her first season.
BREAKOUT SEASONS
While the Aggies return 14 players in 2023, replacing the production of Second Team All-America East selection Brooke Sanchez can't be overlooked. Not only will the Aggies have to replace their leading goal scorer from a season ago, UC Davis will need to fill the production of Milou Korthouwer, Danielle Yau, Izzy Porco, Grace Austin, and the goalkeeping minutes of Kalli Wagnon.
Some players that come to mind on who could take major growth this year includes Hayden Ma, and Audrey Lee. Coach Pile believes, "Ma will have a big impact for us." Coach Pile also thinks Lee will have a breakout season and, "move into a much bigger role."
HOW TO FOLLOW
With everything set in place, be sure to tune into Aggie Field Hockey on ESPN+, or swing by Aggie Field Hockey Facility to watch their first three games of the 2023 season. The full schedule can be found here.
