Senior Steph Light is the only Mule to start every game each of the last two years. She accumulated two goals and eight assists while at Muhlenberg.

A young Muhlenberg field hockey squad showed promise in a 9-9 season. The Mules, who were 4-6 in the Centennial Conference, featured just two senior starters and stayed in the playoff hunt until the final week of the season.

After a loss in double overtime to Swarthmore, 2-1, on a cold and rainy day, Muhlenberg needed victories at home against Franklin & Marshall and Washington (Md.) for a shot at the playoffs. However, the No. 19 Diplomats overcame a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1. A victory in the season finale over the Shorewomen left the Mules 7-2 at home.

Muhlenberg began the season with a four-game winning streak, including a pair of wins in the Mule Classic, against Roanoke and Lynchburg. Following a victory over Moravian, the Mules started a 1-3 road trip with a win at Ithaca.

After defeating Drew, 1-0, Muhlenberg had its biggest win of the year, a

Muhlenberg went 8-2 when senior Adrienne Verbich recorded at least a point during her career. She finished with eight goals and six assists.

2-0 upset of McDaniel, a team that finished 7-3 in the Centennial. Wins at Bryn Mawr and against Dickinson gave the Mules a 3-2 CC record, but a four-game losing streak (including three to nationally ranked teams), ending with the loss to F&M, wiped out playoff hopes.

The Mules’ top six scorers were underclassmen, with junior forward LisaAnn Polt leading the way with eight goals and two assists. Sophomore forward Kelly Shetron and classmate Lauren Rutt, a midfielder, tied for second with 13 points. Shetron accumulated three game-winning goals and Rutt had a team-high 10 points in Centennial Conference games.

Muhlenberg’s defense was its strength with a 1.56 goals-against average, ranking third in the CC. Juniors Allie Covell and Kate Moyer, sophomore Nikki Rhoads and freshman Julie deLaurentis led the defense in front of junior goalie Lauren Schram, who registered four shutouts. Rhoads was named to the All-Centennial Conference second team, and Moyer tied for the CC lead with five defensive saves in conference play.