VCU SELECTED AS ONE OF JUST 14 PROGRAMS TO HOST USA FIELD HOCKEY’S “YOU GO GIRL” DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE


RICHMOND, Va. – Behind one of the best turnarounds in the country this past fall, the VCU field hockey program really started to rise on the national stage. That rise took another step forward on Friday when the Black & Gold were selected among 14 programs to host USA Field Hockey's new "You Go Girl" development initiative.

"We are so very excited to team up with each of the fine universities to not only grow the game, but also, improve the lives of young women living in at-risk environments" said USA Field Hockey Executive Director, Steve Locke.

The You Go Girl program is an initiative that will expose the sport of field hockey and enhance the lives of girls, ages 10-18, in urban or non-traditional areas. With the help of current NCAA student-athletes, USA Field Hockey will look to introduce field hockey to over 1,000 young women in metropolitan areas.

Each of the selected colleges possessed an astonishingly strong commitment to community service, a clear comprehension of the program or a distinctive opportunity to work with urban or at-risk girls, but most possessed all three.


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BAKER HIRED TO TAKE OVER VCU FIELD HOCKEY PROGRAM


RICHMOND, Va. – Eight years ago, Laura Baker left Kent, England to begin her collegiate field hockey playing career at VCU. Today, VCU Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin handed Baker the reins to the program as its new head coach.

Baker becomes the eighth coach in the program's 33-year history after serving as the Associate Head Coach for the 2012 season, in which the Rams posted the second-most wins in school history with 13.

"Laura's passion for VCU as an alumna and her knowledge of the game were big factors in this decision," McLaughlin said. "We felt strongly that we needed continuity for this program so we could continue to build a championship product. Laura is a tireless recruiter and a talented teacher of the game."

Baker, who also spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons as an assistant coach with the Rams, has helped guide the Black & Gold to a 34-22 mark over those three seasons including two trips to the conference tournament.

"I couldn't be more excited to be given the opportunity to lead the VCU Field Hockey program. Having played at VCU, I have a lot of passion for this school and know there is a tremendous opportunity to build on the recent successes of the program," Baker said. "I'd like to thank Ed McLaughlin, Jon Palumbo and the hiring committee for giving me this fantastic opportunity to move this program forward."

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ELEVEN HOME MATCHES HIGHLIGHT 2013 VCU FIELD HOCKEY SCHEDULE


2013 VCU Field Hockey Schedule (http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/fh/2013-14/schedule)

RICHMOND, Va. – Following a berth in last year's Atlantic 10 tournament, the VCU Field Hockey team and first-year Head Coach Laura Baker look to continue to build on that success.

On Monday, the first part of the journey began when Baker announced the 2013 schedule. The schedule is highlighted by 11 home matches, including a home date with national semifinalist North Carolina.

Baker opens her first season at the helm of the Rams with three consecutive road matches. The docket begins at William and Mary on Sept. 1, before heading to the West Coast to play Pacific (Sept. 6) and Stanford (Sept. 8), with both matches being played at Stanford.

VCU opens its home slate at the new look Cary Street Field against former Colonial Athletic Association foe Towson on Sept. 13. The Rams then play host to Liberty on Sept. 15. Following that, the Black and Gold return to the road for a weekday match against James Madison on Sept. 18.

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RAMS PICKED TO FINISH THIRD IN ATLANTIC 10 PRESEASON FIELD HOCKEY POLL


NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Coming off the third biggest turnaround in the country and the second-highest win total in school history (13), the VCU Field Hockey program has their eyes set on a third conference tournament appearance in the past four years.

The Rams have certainly caught the eye of the rest of the conference as VCU was picked to finish third in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Field Hockey poll, released by the conference office on Thursday.

Defending A-10 champion UMass is the overwhelming favorite to repeat, receiving seven of the possible eight first-place votes. Richmond is a close second with just six fewer points than the Minutewomen. After the Rams, Lock Haven was picked fourth, followed by La Salle, Saint Joseph's, Saint Francis and Saint Louis.

The Rams return six starters from last year's squad that went 13-6. Leading the way is senior defender Stephanie DeMasi, who earned Atlantic 10 Second Team honors last fall after posting two goals and six assists from the backline.

VCU opens up play on Sunday, Sept. 1 with a 1 p.m. showdown at former CAA foe William & Mary.

2013 A-10 Field Hockey Preseason Poll
Massachusetts (7) 63
Richmond (1) 57
VCU 46
Lock Haven 35
La Salle 30
Saint Joseph's 28
Saint Francis 16
Saint Louis 13

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RAMS TAKE HOME 1-0 OVERTIME WIN OVER DAVIDSON IN EXHIBITION ACTION


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RAMS BLITZ TOWSON IN SECOND HALF FOR 3-1 VICTORY IN HOME OPENER

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BOTTERI, RAMS POST SECOND STRAIGHT SHUTOUT IN 1-0 WIN OVER DAVIDSON


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RAMS PULL AWAY IN SECOND HALF TO DEFEAT ST. LOUIS, 5-2


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SIX NEWCOMERS SIGN NLIS TO JOIN RAMS NEXT FALL


RICHMOND, Va. – After making back-to-back appearances in the Atlantic 10 tournament, the VCU Field Hockey program is building for its future. That future includes six newcomers who signed national letters of intent last week to join the Rams this fall.

Alexis Albright (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland), Jamee Albright (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland), Natalie Bohmke (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford), Chessa Kownurko (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn.), Alaina Madeline (Yorktown, Va./Grafton) and Spencer Tossone (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) all signed NLIs to join Head Coach Laura Baker and the Black & Gold.

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