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Pinkerton Academy Field Hockey Preview

2006 record: 14-2, lost in Class L semifinals

Returning starters (5): Jackie Benson, Sr., forward; Michaela Powers, Sr., forward; Tori Elliott, Jr., defense; Devan Shea, Jr., midfield; Julie Medeiros, Jr., goalie

Returning lettermen: Nikki Curry, Jr., forward; Alison Reichard, Sr., forward; Erin Garrish, Jr., midfield; Sammi Benson, Sr., midfield; Brittany Paris, Sr., forward; Brittany Gentile, Soph., forward; Nikki Corso, Sr., defense

Newcomers: Nicole Pacheco, Frosh., defense; Kara Saltamartini, Sr., midfield; Shannon Murphy, Soph., midfield; Tori Welch, Soph., forward; Shealyn Testa, Soph., forward; Lauren Grout, Sr., forward; Leah Tustin, Jr., defense; Brittany Thompson, Jr., midfield; Sam Tomacchio, Sr., defense; Ainsley Wolfe, Sr., defense; Tara Driscoll, Sr., defense

Candidates in all grades: 70

Captains: Jacki Benson, Nikki Corso

Returning leaders: Michaela Powers (third-leading scorer)

Returning honorees: Devan Shea (Class L second team)

Assistants: JV Kathy Garrish, Frosh. Corrine Murphy

Opener: Tuesday, Aug. 28 vs. Dover, 4 p.m.

Odds and ends: Eagle-Tribune All-Stars Devan Weed (scholarship to UNH) and Kelsey Currier graduated. Goalie Julie Medeiros had a big preseason. She also played well during a summer tour of England. ... Devan Shea has emerged as the Astros' go-to offensive threat. ... Nikki Corso is an Eagle-Tribune All-Star in lacrosse.

Coach Denise Rioux (24th year, 272-69-20): "(Devan Shea) is tenacious. She can play offense and defense. We're going to look to her to kind of be the leader. Hopefully people around her can do the job. It's going to be hard to fill the shoes (of Devan Weed and Kelsey Currier). We lost six starters. We have a lot of good talent in our sophomore and junior classes. Nicole Pacheco has just continued to rise. (She'll be the) first back off the bench. She certainly could be starting at some point. She's someone that could make an impact."