The field hockey team is off to one of their best starts of the past decade. After a tough 3-6 loss to Amherst this past Saturday, the team sits with a 4-1 overall record and a 2-1 record in NESCAC play.
Last week, senior captain Abby Hine was named the NESCAC player of the week, as she led the Camels to convincing victories over Springfield, Williams and Eastern Connecticut State. When asked about this award, she said, “I’m honored and really proud to even be named for that, but I attribute most of it to the team.”
The team’s fast start this season can be partially attributed to the leadership of Hine and her fellow captains Jess Lewis ’11 and Liz Rosenfeld ’12. Hine says it is also due to the fact that the entire team “came in shape, knowing we needed to be ready from day one. We also read Into Thin Air and worked on our mental edge over the summer in order to gain more confidence and reduce our fears.” This edge has manifested in the competitive play of the entire team during their first few games of the season.
Of course, the tri-captains haven’t been the only players to step up for Conn this fall. The freshmen have made big contributions on offense and defense. Aimee Rich ’14 has been a protective force as goalie, and a new offensive strategy has also involved several of the freshmen. According to Hine, “We have a new system this year where four forwards are on the field instead of three. This gives us a new offensive threat.”
Despite all of the positive changes being made this year, the team has already had to overcome a devastating injury to forward Lauren Gaffny ’12. The junior tore her ACL during a routine practice; however, she aims to return this season after undergoing surgery. Ligament injuries are certainly serious, but it is a testament to Gaffny’s dedication to the team that she’s willing to make the extra effort to return as soon as possible.
As mentioned above, the Camels have an impressive 4-1 record this season, yet they’ve still managed to stay below the radar of fan awareness on campus. While the volleyball and soccer teams have enjoyed large crowds of enthusiastic, cheering Conn students at home, the field hockey team still lacks a comparable turnout at any of their home games. Hine encourages her fellow students to change this, saying “field hockey is worth watching…we put in so much time, and fan support would mean a lot. Unfortunately, right now our team doesn’t think too much about school support during games.”
The Camel field hockey team needs your support at home during and immediately after fall break. Their next games at Silfen field will be played against Trinity, Tufts and Middlebury on October 9, 13 and 16, respectively.
Photo By: Duncan Spaulding
