Melissa Bostwick Last College: University of Connecticut '06 Position: Assistant Coach Experience: Second Season

According to Coach Lewis: "When I hired Melissa I wasn't truly aware of how talented she was as a coach. She has far exceeded my expectations in her first season and I look forward to an additional year of working with her. For our players to have the opportunity to work with an All-American, All-Big East caliber goalkeeper is outstanding in terms of their potential development. Melissa has assumed the role of `defensive coordinator' and that is a testament to her knowledge of not only goalkeeping--which is outstanding--but also her knowledge of the defensive end. I anticipate our team defense to be one of our strengths in 2007 and that can be attributed to Melissa's contributions over the past season. In addition, I feel confident our goalkeeper, Jessie Atieh, will be one of the strongest in the league."

Following an outstanding career at the University of Connecticut, Melissa returns for her second year on staff as graduate assistant coach. Bostwick's primary responsibilities include the role of "defensive coordinator, as well as the liaison for all community service projects. In addition, she is heavily involved in our compliance, strength & conditioning and academic enhancement programs.

As a two-year starting goalkeeper for the UConn Huskies, Bostwick's statistics included starting 45 straight games, securing 16 shutouts, recording 123 saves for a save percentage of 73.2%, and limiting opponents to less than one goal a game (0.98 GAA). For these efforts, Bostwick was named as a NFHCA third team All-American in 2004 and second team All-Big East performer in 2005.

Bostwick was instrumental in helping lead the 2004 Husky squad to a 20-2 overall record with a remarkable 0.58 goals-against average and a save percentage of 83.7--both marks which led the nation. In addition, she posted a Big East-best 12 shutouts that season.

As a senior in 2005 and working with a defense that included three new starters, Bostwick led the Huskies to their second consecutive Big East tournament championship--and sixth in eight years--and the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

While Bostwick's primary coaching responsibilities will be in goalkeeper development and training, she will assist with the on-field areas of team defense and set piece execution. In the day-to-day operations, Bostwick will oversee equipment distribution and inventory, strength and conditioning, and community service projects. In addition, she will assist both Lewis and Marks with recruiting, game and practice preparation, scouting, individual player development and compliance.

A native of San Diego, Calif., Bostwick graduated from University City High School in 2001. She received her Bachelor's degree in English from UConn in May 2006. In addition to her field hockey playing experience, Bostwick has spent the past four summers assisting with the UConn field hockey camps as well as working at various other summer camps including Champions Edge and nhQ, Inc.