Pandas Field Hockey ready to open season against defending CIS champs

September 17, 2009

From Evan Daum, The Gateway

As the field hockey season approaches, only days from getting underway, the reigning CIS silver-medalists are preparing for a season of change both on and off the field.

With last season’s head coach Carla Duncan on maternity leave, the team’s assistant coach A.J. Facendi has stepped into the role of head coach on an interim basis for the 2009 season. Facendi, who is no stranger to the program, has been a part of Pandas field hockey for the past eight seasons — five as a player and the past three as an assistant coach. Not only will the Pandas have a new voice guiding them from the sideline, but there will also be plenty of new names on the roster.

"We have 10 rookies this year, so I’m new and we have a lot of new faces on our team," Facendi said.

The transition has been smooth for Facendi from an assistant role to the head coaching position.

"I’ve been there as a player for five years and then as an assistant coach for three years, so it’s an easy transition for the athletes that are still here and because half the team is new, they don’t know any different. For myself, it was an easy transition."

Alberta will be led by some key veterans, who will be even more important considering the influx of rookies this season.

"We have two sixth-year players on the team — Jennifer Foster and Bunny Hughes — so they’re definitely our two big ones that we look to for leadership and for skill out on the field," Facendi pointed out.

Along with Foster and Hughes, the Pandas’ attack will be lead by reigning Canada West Rookie of the Year Jackie Trautman, who spent the summer training with the Canadian national team.

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