With only two players lost to graduation and eight returning starters, the Penn State field hockey team looks to capitalize on a 2001 season that saw the Nittany Lions miss out on the NCAA tournament for the first time in 20 years.

Kiley Kulina, who Penn State field hockey coach Charlene Morett calls the "workhorse on offense" and was also the leading goal and point scorer, is gone. Meredith Schulzitski, who notched 19 points in 19 games, has also departed. Jill Martz, Heather Conroy and Neilye Stoner are all back.

The entire corps of defenders, which was inexperienced last year, has returned as well.

Morett said opponents are going to see a different look to the team this year. A productive preseason that brought players back with increased dedication and commitment makes Morett optimistic but still uncertain on how good the team will be.

"I feel good about our senior leadership and because of that we can improve on last season's record," she said.

With All-American Kulina gone, the team has a hole on offense to fill, most likely with senior Timarie Legel leading the way.

Legel was the second leading scorer from last year's team, with 14 goals on 29 points, and was named a second team All-America.

Amanda Eckert, who started all 19 games at midfield last season, will be moved up to a wing position opposite Michelle Rigby at the other wing.

At midfield, Martz, Conroy and Stoner are set to lead the way, although the positions are not set in terms of who will play each position on the line.

Morett said all three have the potential and ability to play the middle, but she is looking forward to seeing Martz back.

"Martz is at another level of intensity," Morett said. "She almost has to slow down a little and because of that she sometimes overplays the game."

However, Morett credited Martz with improving her field vision and game sense.

Morett believes defense, after the strong senior leadership, is the team's biggest strength. The team had four new starters on defense last year and all four players, including Kate Bender and Kelly Concini, are back.

"Last year, defense was something we had to develop," Morett said. "It took some time for them to understand their positions, but by the end of the season we were able to simplify the defense and turn things around."

Annie Zinkavich returns at goalkeeper. Zinkavich, who earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the week three times last season, had a very strong 2001 season. She had a productive spring and participated in the United Summer League program.

With 10 players participating in the United Summer League, Conroy feels the team is already a few steps ahead.

"We kept playing the game and didn't have to worry about getting back into team playing form when we came back in August," she said.