A new beginning.
 
That is the mantra that head coach Carly Campana has instilled in the 2015 edition of the Towson field hockey team as they head into opening weekend.
 
"We're on a mission this season," Campana explained. "This is the first year that we've felt like we're one hundred percent a single team. This is the team. This is the core. This is our new beginning."
 
When the Tigers open the season on August 28 at St. Joseph's, there will be no shortage of familiar faces taking the field. Towson returns an experienced group of 15 student-athletes, including seven who made appearances in all 18 games in 2014.
 
While the Tigers have only added five newcomers to the program, over half of the roster is made up of underclassmen, a group that Campana looks to as the future of the program.
 
A trio of upperclassmen have been selected to help guide the youthful Tiger roster. Seniors Heather Jenney and Kelsey Jenkens, along with junior Morgan Skavdahl will serve as team captains for the 2015 season.
 
"The combination of the three of them is perfect for the needs of our team," Campana explained. "Heather is fabulous on the field for leadership while Kelsey is someone who is friendly and really helps the girls to adjust. Morgan is the organized one and puts all the pieces where they need to be."
 
Here's a look at the 2015 Tiger roster broken down by class:
 
SENIORS
 
Campana's small but key senior class, consisting of Jenney, a forward, and midfielders Jenkens and Stacey Mackintosh, will be counted on to provide offensive power for the Tigers this season.
 
The trio combined for a total of 18 points in the 2014 season. Jenney tallied a team-high 10 points and five goals while Mackintosh recorded a team-best three assists.
 
"This is a class that will really be missed," Campana said. "They've worked really hard with me as their coach and have developed greatly. Heather and Kelsey have grown in their confidence, skills and hockey intelligence. Stacey came in last year as a transfer and really became a part of the team and found herself in starting roles."
 
JUNIORS
 
Towson returns a defensive core in the four person junior class. Defenders Skavdahl, Allie Stauffer and Sam Zelenack will be relied on heavily in the upcoming season while goalkeeper Megan Boyle rounds out the junior class.
 
Campana will look to Skavdahl and Zelenack to provide an offensive-minded defense this season while Stauffer is expected to step up and take control of the backfield.
 
Boyle recorded 66 saves in goal for the Tigers last season and is also expected to have a leadership role on the field as she battles with sophomore Emilee Woodall for the starting position in goal.
 
"The juniors are a really solid group of players and I'm excited to see what they can hold down in the backfield," Campana said.
 
SOPHOMORES
 
Five student-athletes return to make up Campana's large but important sophomore class led by Woodall in goal. Sabrina Davis, Patrice Groody, Baily Kerr, Taylor Kvilhaug, Morgan Lowry will provide a substantial presence for the Tigers in the midfield.
 
Woodall, who appeared in 12 games for the Tigers during her rookie campaign, led the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in saves with 97 and recorded double-digit saves in four games.
 
"Emilee has gotten more confident in demanding what she sees in the backfield," Campana remarked. "She's more verbal, she points, she directs. Emilee sees the game now and who should be going to who."
 
The midfield line will see a healthy dose competition among the returning five sophomores who combined for 64 appearances and 28 starts. Kvilhaug, who earned an honorable mention nod on the 2015 CAA Preseason Team and made the all-rookie team last season, leads the pack.
 
Davis, Groody and Lowry could also see increased playing time. Davis is expected to have an impact in the backfield. Groody and Lowry have both impressed the coaching staff as their skill level has improved over the spring.
 
"Collectively, this class is a really important class," Campana said. "There's great talent on it and I'm looking forward to seeing them shine."
 
FRESHMEN
 
The Tigers' seven person freshman class is expected to have an immediate impact on the field.
 
"They're going to be the future leaders of our team with a lot of playing experience," Campana said. "I'm really excited to have them on board."
 
Redshirt freshmen forward Natalie Hack and defender Madison Andrews return to make their collegiate debuts after spending the 2014 season sidelined with injuries.
 
Campana's recruiting class is made up of forwards Devon Hake and Katie McNeel, along with midfielders Marlee McGinness and Erika McKay and defender Deirdre Korkes.  
 
Hake is described by Campana as a natural forward with great movement and great touches around the ball and goal mouth. She is expected to help bolster the Tigers' offense.
 
McNeel could find herself on the field often as she provides a versatility to the lineup with the ability to play at both offensive and defensive positions.
 
"Katie has got an amazing nose for the ball but she's also really solid in the midfield on the defensive line," Campana explained. "It's great for the coaching staff to be able to put her anywhere we need."
 
Korkes, McGinness and McKay are predicted to add talent to the Tiger roster after adjusting to the collegiate pace.
 
"Deirdre has the skill," Campana remarked. "She can hit the ball, sweep the ball, dribble through people. It's just honing the movements and training her to play Division I field hockey. Once we accomplish that, she'll be great to go.
 
"Marlee has great stick skills and with a little more focus, I see her really impacting the team,"
 
"Erika is doing great in the backfield and is really starting to pick up the system we play," Campana said.
 
Campana and the 2015 Tigers open the season on Friday, August 28 as they travel to St. Joseph's for a 3:30 p.m. game. Towson will then head to College Park on Sunday to continue opening weekend with a 2 p.m. neutral site game against Temple.