Exhausting. After four years of building up a team in all aspects, including strength, skill, endurance, determination and talent, the field hockey team finally reached its goal. Now, the challenge begins to repeat, this time with a team that includes 10 freshmen.
The 2013 regular season for Quinnipiac University field hockey has been called one of the best seasons in recent program history. With a 14-7 overall record, and falling only one time in conference play, Quinnipiac was on its way to the MAAC Championship game.
Throughout the season, a core group of five seniors led the team with experience and determination. They were able to control a team that offered an entire starting roster made up of veteran players, and create a winning atmosphere.
As the game began at Ben Cohen Field in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, the game did not immediately shift in either team’s favor. After 13 minutes of a hard-fought battle from both teams, veteran player and senior Amanda Danzinger capitalized on a penalty stroke that ended up being the game and conference clincher for Quinnipiac. Looking back on the initial moment when the clock finally hit zero, head coach Becca Main described the feeling as “totally exhausting.” They had to get over that feeling quickly, though, as they were headed to the NCAA tournament.
With aspirations high for this season as the reigning MAAC champions, the question is how the 2014 Bobcat roster will be able to overcome some tough challenges in its way. Seven members of the previous team’s starting lineup graduated after last season, including forward Jess Rusin who many consider to be the all-time best forward to ever play for the Bobcats. To help fill these large holes in both the offensive and defensive positions, Quinnipiac signed on 10 freshmen to the team. With a wide range of accolades ranging from high school team captains, to international performers, will these fresh legs be up for the challenge? Retaining the MAAC Championship is a hard enough task, but doing it with such a vast amount of inexperience and lack of chemistry is an entirely different journey.
Before the season even began, the team had a lot of preseason training to do. With the addition of the freshmen class, the team as a majority lacks experience, chemistry, and knowledge of college-level play. To try and get some team bonding time, and to develop camaradrie among the players, the entire squad took a trip to Deer Lake Scout Reservation. This retreat was a major success in creating a comfortable environment among players, and was a hit with the freshmen players.
“It was one of our first really big bonding experiences,” said freshman forward Felicia Costanzo. “Being able to be away from all social media and being alone with each other made us talk more and get to know everyone.”
Although the retreat was important to the overall goal of team bonding, Main says that this is just the start. “It’s a process that starts now, and ends their senior year,” she said.
While the off-the-field bonding was set in motion, it was time to transition focus to on the field. In order to help not only the freshmen, but also the returning members with no on-field play recorded, the veterans on the team will have to serve as leaders throughout the season to teach the rest of the squad the ins and outs of NCAA play.
The one thing that stands out as one of the hardest aspects from transitioning from high school play to college play is the competitiveness.
“High school wasn’t as organized, the competition wasn’t as fun, and it was more laid back and tedious,” freshman forward Isamarie Ramos said, about her high school career. The team has been working with assistant coach Alicia Angelini for two seasons, whose former associate head coach at University of Connecticut, Paul Caddy, praises as “one of the most competitive players” he has ever coached.
“I am sure Alicia will bring a toughness and competitive edge to Quinnipiac’s program,” Caddy said.
The team then turns its focus to strategy, and learning how to smoothly play the ball offensively and defensively. Although gaining knowledge for these players will not be as simple as a one-time practice drill, the building of this master comprehension is already underway, and the freshmen are all ears.
The greatest obstacle for the team this year may be the inexperience of its freshmen, but they should not be underestimated. This freshman class is full of high school talent, such as Michelle Federico, who was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All American First Team, and Lauren Belskie who helped lead her team to the 2013 National Field Hockey Festival Championship.
The group of freshmen also have some international talent, such as Gemma Cirera, who shines on her home country of Spain’s National Women’s U-18 team, Dayna Barlow who is a powerhouse at the midfield position and resides in South Africa, and Isamarie Ramos who was a member of the Puerto Rican National Team from 2012-13.
“One thing I can transition over to college play is definitely my intensity,” Ramos said, on bringing her international experience to Quinnipiac. “Playing against older women is intimidating and you just have to give it your all.”
This season will definitely be a learning experience for the team, but one that the entire team is up for, especially Main, who has gone through this process before.
“These guys remind me of the class from last year and the class of 2003 that went to the NCAA tournament, who were again a very special class of eight seniors, and then the 2001 team [as well],” Main said. “All three of them were special from the start, had talent, and went to the NCAA tournament, so I see this group and I see the talent and I think it’s a matter of how fast we can progress.”
As the season progresses, the inexperience of the young team and lack of returning veterans is noticeable. As of Sept. 23, the overall record for the Bobcats was 2-5. However, the growth of the team from the start of the season to now is also noticeable. The Bobcats had a tough schedule early on in the season, when they faced teams like No. 13 Boston College and No. 8 Penn State. Although they weren’t necessarily expected to win these games, they were able to help build experience as a team by facing tougher opponents. In their past four games they are 2-2, winning both games on the road, which for many teams is much tougher than beating a team on home turf. With the wins under their belt, the team now knows how to win, which was a huge step that Main said the team really needed to progress. “You can’t tell them that they’ve got to win, when they don’t even know what it means,” she said.
The freshmen have really stepped up. Only three of the 10 have not played a minute on the field. Of the seven that have, three of them are starters, and two are regular substitutes. Two of the freshmen that are shining right now are Dayna Barlow and Michelle Federico. Both players are regular members on the penalty corners and they were both trusted with playing in overtime against Yale. With the freshmen already tallying eight points on the season, they only have room to positively progress throughout the remainder of the season.
The team is looking at a season full of learning experiences and progressing as a young and inexperienced team. Although growth will be a major focus of the team, the goal in the back of every player and staff members mind is of reclaiming the MAAC Championship title for the second year in a row.
