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The 1978 Field Hockey team, which was coached by Kathy Veroni, had the best season ever for the program. They finished the season with a record of 15-4-1 after starting the season with 13 consecutive wins. The team scored 40 goals on the season and posted 13 shutouts.
The team featured standout players such as forward Cheryl Novak, the all-time scorer in the history of WIU Field Hockey, and Vicki Sama, the all-time goalkeeper in the history of WIU Field Hockey. Sama had 121 saves and allowed just eight goals all season.
The team had regular-season victories over Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois State, Principia, Southeast Missouri, Northwestern, SIU-Edwardsville, Lake Forest, Northern Iowa, Graceland College, and Indiana State. In the Illinois Association Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) regional, the squad scored a victory over Wheaton College before losing to Northwestern in two overtimes, ending the postseason run.
Notably from the team, Assistant Coach Betsy Stephenson and athletic trainers Marsha Grant and Val Lindbloom, along with Mary Vacala, went on to become Olympic trainers for three Olympics.
Team members include: Jill Andrews, Margot Belanin, Jan Fat, Kris Hansford, Vera Henneuse, Glenda Kemp, Barb Knapp, Carol Lindsey, Mary Ann McCormick, Janet McKinley, Kim Miller, Cheryl Novak, Vicki Sama, Sandy Steffens, Karen Strollo, Leslie Taylor, and Mary Vacala
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