Junior Emma Roderick aims to lead a retooled defensive unit as one of two returning starters on the back line.

A very deep and experienced group on the offensive half of the field will look to blend with a retooled defensive unit for the 2016 field hockey team at The College of Wooster. Overall, the Fighting Scots return their top six goal scorers from last season, the entire starting midfield, and two of the starting backs, while also welcoming back senior twins Kayla O'Connor and Kerry O'Connor (the team's top two 2014 point scorers), who both studied abroad during the 2015 season.

"Last year we were building and recreating our attack and midfield, whereas this year we'll be starting out strong in those areas," said head coach Brenda Meese, who enters 2016 fifth among Div. III active coaches with 417 career wins, 293 of which have come at Wooster. "All of the returnees (at forward and midfield) can score, and are pretty well balanced in a lot of ways. We have the ability to change a lot of combinations."

The O'Connor twins and classmate Leah Prescott provide a stellar foundation to lead the way up front. The last time they were on the field for the Scots, Kayla and Kerry combined for 13 goals and 15 assists with Kerry earning all-conference laurels and sharing the North Coast Athletic Conference lead with 11 assists. Meese notes the twins "really complement each other very well," in terms of their respective offensive skillsets. Prescott is coming off of an all-conference campaign of her own, and has been a steady contributor both as a goal scorer and in a set-up role throughout her career.

Also back in the fold to contribute alongside the senior trio are junior Lauren Abbott, who moved into a starting role, and primarily held down the right-side during the final weeks of the 2015 slate, and a pair of speedy sophomores in Maeven Barry and Erika Womack. Together, this threesome combined for 15 goals, and all have the ability to play either forward or midfielder.

Speaking of the midfield, Wooster's returnees there have the proven ability to provide plenty of offensive firepower, while also aiding in the transition game, and thwarting opposing scoring chances at the other end.

Seniors Sarah McGrath and Rachel Wetzel project to continue to hold down the edges, with sophomore Rose Taylor as the likely anchor in the middle. In fact, while primarily playing a midfield role as a first-year, Taylor finished second on the team with 17 points (6 goals, 5 assists) and earned all-conference laurels, while Wetzel (3 goals, 5 assists, 3 defensive saves) and McGrath (1 goal, 2 assists), also were key factors on both ends of the field.

Wooster's backline will be an area to keep an eye on, especially in the early weeks of the season, as several new faces are in the mix for key roles.

"This group is the one we're rebuilding this year," added Meese. "Three of the five pieces from back there have changed from last year."         

Two veterans back in the fold at backs are junior Emma Roderick and sophomore Katie Padavick. Roderick, already a two-year starter on the backline, is described by Meese as "giving the team a really solid hitter who has good ability with the ball and is a very aggressive defender," while Padavick quickly earned a prominent role in the defense with 12 starts a year ago.

There are a number of first-years who have the potential to make an impact on the defensive end, led by two-time all-state back Harriet Sudduth from Louisville, Ky. (a big field hockey hotbed), the versatile Grace O'Leary, who could see time at either back or midfielder, Emma Hambright, and Netherlands native Zoë Tuinman.

The goalkeeper position will be another position to watch in 2016, as there will be a new face between the posts in terms of collegiate game experience. Sophomore Lida LeVine joined the field hockey team during the preseason last year, and has been rapidly improving while learning the position. First-year Madi Thomas from Grosse Pointe, Mich. will compete with LeVine for time, and the two bring different styles to the position in terms of quickness and power, according to Meese.

The Scots open their 2016 slate at the Great Lakes Invitational hosted by Wittenberg University at Springfield, Ohio. Wooster is set to face Sewanee, The University of the South at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3, and Centre College at noon on Sunday, Sept. 4.