LOUISVILLE, Ky. – One game in the standings is all that separated­ Bellarmine field hockey from the program's first Division I postseason berth during the 2023 season, the sixth campaign under head coach Devanny Boisvert.
 
The Knights finished in fifth place in the Mid-American Conference with a 3-4 record, one win behind Ohio for the final spot in the MAC Championship. This year, with the addition of James Madison bringing the number of teams in the conference to nine, the number of teams earning a spot in the conference tournament will rise from four to six.
 
"Our goal for this season is to secure a spot in the MAC Championship and we are thrilled that the tournament has expanded," Boisvert said. "Our sights are set on being one of those top six teams and we are ready to make our mark!"
 
Consistency will be key to reaching that goal according to Boisvert.
 
"We need to bring our best from the first quarter to the final buzzer so we can fully unleash our potential," she said. "With the incredible talent on our roster, we are aiming for a selfless style of hockey where teamwork is displayed. Our coaching staff is committed to creating a competitive training environment to ensure we are gameday ready."

[Download the 2024 Bellarmine Field Hockey Media Guide]
 
Despite losing much of their goal production from last year, Bellarmine returns a strong corps of experienced midfielders who will look to swing momentum in the Knights' direction.
 
"With a fresh, dynamic roster this season, we are counting on our veteran players to lead the charge and set the stage for a successful 2024 season," said Boisvert. "Our midfield powerhouse foursome of Anna Crump, Alicia Hudson, Bente Moormann and Isabel Gladys will be the heart of our identity. These four have been instrumental since their freshman seasons and we are thrilled to see three of them cap off their careers on a high note."
 
"We will look to them to provide leadership and guidance to our newcomers," Boisvert added. "Plus, with Kailey [Workman] anchoring our defense, her experience will be invaluable for our defensive unit."
 
All four midfielders started last year and together represent Bellarmine's most seasoned line. Gladys, a senior, has been named one of two captains along with Kailey Workman, the Knights' junior goalie, through a vote by the team and coaches.
 
Of Gladys and Workman, Boisvert said, "Both are exceptional leaders who inspire and energize our team. They excel at connecting with their teammates and coaching staff and set high standards on and off the field. We are confident that their leadership will drive us to new heights this season!"
 
Gladys has started each of Bellarmine's 52 games since she was a freshman, filling multiple positions, and is someone who Boisvert credits for being a great resource for younger teammates. Workman was a lynchpin for Bellarmine in 2023, playing every minute of the season in-goal as the only keeper on the roster. She ranked fourth in the MAC averaging 5.35 saves per game and earned a spot on Team Canada in the Junior Pan American Championship over the summer.
 
This year, the Knights add freshman goalie Megan Clauser behind Workman.
 
"We are thrilled to have added a new goalie to our roster this season! While Kailey had an outstanding sophomore campaign, having one goalkeeper was less than ideal," Boisvert said. "We are incredibly proud of her exceptional performances in 2023 and with Megan joining the team, we are excited to see a healthy competition that will drive both keeps to new levels."
 
Crump, the Knights' lone player returning for a fifth year, leads the current team with both 15 career goals and 63 career games. She will lead the midfield group.
 
"Her experience will be helpful up top," Boisvert said of the South Oldham product. "With the speed and athleticism of our current and incoming players, the addition of Anna's expertise promises to make the team even stronger and more dynamic!"
 
Looking to Crump's experience on the midfield line will be freshmen Eve Gladys (Isabel's sister) and Annie Malloy.
 
The forward line returns just one player from last season, sophomore Mia Booth. Booth appeared in 15 games, but fired just two shots. The group adds a series of incomers in 2024: sophomore Brooke Buchanan plus freshmen Sammie Callaghan, Jenna Catapano, Addie Parmi and Luna Tuncay.
 
The Knights' defensive line will be piloted by Maria Bonwell, someone who Boisvert notes is poised to make a significant impact this season after gaining valuable experience last fall and spring. Bonwell and fellow sophomore Skylar Sokal are the sole returners from that troop, which adds sophomore Reilly Casey and freshmen Dominique Hudson (Alicia's sister) and Anouk Richters.
 
With just nine total returners from a year ago, Boisvert needed to bring in a strong recruiting class. Eleven new Knights joined the fray to form a group that their coach calls "stellar."
 
"We expect our large freshman class to make an immediate impact this season!" Boisvert said. "Their speed and versatility will be game changers, with many playing across multiple lines. Luna is poised to contribute significantly to our forward line while Sammie will bring incredible speed up top."
 
The Knights' schedule this year features 11 road/neutral games and just six home games at Trager Stadium. Boisvert says time management will be essential with an unbalanced slate.
 
"Our players will need to juggle their academic responsibilities with our travel demands, making it crucial to stay focused on their studies while on the move and make the most of our off days," Boisvert said. "We value every chance to compete, whether it is at home or away, and we will approach each game with our team goals in mind. Many of our players thrive on the away weekends, enjoying the extra opportunities for team bonding and building stronger connections."
 
Each MAC team will play each of the other eight conference opponents, giving the Knights eight opportunities to stake their claim to a seed in the conference tournament in Oxford, Ohio, in early November.
 
"This upcoming season, every MAC game will be important as we all compete for a coveted spot in the tournament," Boisvert said. "Staying focused, unified, and treating each game with the utmost importance will be key. Miami (OH), with their impressive track record of six consecutive conference tournament championships, will undoubtedly be a tough opponent. While every match presents its challenges, the addition of James Madison means adapting to a new playing style in the conference, as well."
 
The 2024-25 academic year brings the end of Bellarmine's mandatory four-year reclassification period, granting the Knights a chance to compete in the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship for the first time. Still, Boisvert remains focused on the conference battle and then going from there.
 
"Our first step is to secure a spot in the MAC tournament before setting our sights on the NCAA championship," said Boisvert. "While making it to the NCAA tournament in our first eligible season would be incredible, our immediate focus is to become a top contender in the MAC."
 
Bellarmine will play exhibitions against Miami (OH), Louisville and Centre before opening the season against Central Michigan, a MAC foe, in a non-conference game in St. Louis on Saturday, August 31.
 
Click here for the full schedule and here for the roster.
 
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