Last year, standout freshmen Anne-Sophie Van der Post, Martina Loncarica and Nicole Nelson helped to propel the Syracuse field hockey team to its first-ever final four appearance. Going into this season, it appeared they were prepared to do the same. But now Loncarica and Nelson will have to help lead the Orange as a duo. Van der Post left the team after being accepted into medical school in her native Amsterdam, SU head coach Ange Bradley said Tuesday afternoon. Bradley declined to comment on the details of the departure, calling it a ‘personnel issue.’ A SU Athletics official confirmed Wednesday night that Van der Post officially left during the first week of August, after the 2009 media guide had been published. ‘Obviously, we definitely could have used her,’ Nelson said. ‘We have to move on, though.’ Van der Post played an integral part in the team’s final four run last season, serving as arguably the Orange’s best defender. In 2008, she started in all 24 games and tallied three goals and seven assists, while providing stellar protection for former goalkeeper Heather Hess. Bradley and the rest of the Orange were anticipating bigger things out of the would-be-sophomore defender this year. ‘Our reaction was we were all upset,’ said Nelson, who started nine games last year and scored the game-winning goal over Princeton in the NCAA tournament’s second round. Aside from Van der Post’s top-notch play on the back line, the team also lost a vital leader who improved team morale on and off the field last year. The departure is still an issue the team is tackling, but the Orange believes it has the players to handle the loss. ‘It hurt our team chemistry a little because she was such a big part of our team,’ Nelson said. ‘But (freshman) Amy (Kee) is stepping up big time in that position. It happened, and we need to move on.’ Syracuse is relying on Kee to replace Van der Post. Bradley and the rest of the team hope the first-year player from England will be able to replicate the Amsterdam native’s 2008 success. ‘We just go with what we have,’ Bradley said. ‘We are committed to winning a championship, and that’s what we work with. If it’s 10 players that are committed to doing it or 26, we are going to work with those that are prepared and want to play for a championship. ‘(The freshmen) just got to be patient. Last year we went out of the gates running and never looked back. It is about catching up with the ball speed everyday.’ More than 3,500 miles from Amsterdam, back at J.S Coyne Field in Syracuse, Nelson and the All-American Loncarica, are trying to put the news of their teammate and friend’s departure behind them as quickly as possible. Their mindsets are now focused on a national title. But the trio that came from opposite ends of the globe (the Netherlands, Argentina, and Pennsylvania) will remain friends. Nelson said they have been in touch using Skype. ‘She was a good player in the back who organized the team very well, but we have to go with what we have, which is amazing,’ Loncarica said. ‘Every year is going to be different because we get new players. It’s just a new year, we move on. It’s fine, it’s different than 2008.’ As for Van der Post, Nelson has a feeling she is still causing havoc as a defender somewhere back home; Much like she did alongside her fellow first-rate freshmen all of last season. ‘I’m sure she is (playing in Europe). It is such a big deal over there,’ Nelson said. ‘We obviously wanted her here, but she’s doing what’s right for her. Ultimately, her decision will be better for her in the future.’

aolivero@syr.edu