Field hockey mid-season review: a look at the Lady Bullets’ competitive season
The Lady Bullets’ stand 6-7 on the season (Photo courtesy of Gettysburg College)
By Matt Hutcheon, Contributing Writer
In the past week, the women’s field hockey team has suffered two losses.
First was a tough defeat against the rival Diplomats from Franklin & Marshall College on Wednesday. In a slow game, with only ten combined shots on net for the two teams, the Bullets were defeated 2-0. Goals by the Diplomats in the last ten minutes of the first and second halves propelled them to victory. The Bullets were unable to strongly take the offensive, which is something that was a struggle in the beginning of the season but had been improving as the season progressed.
Saturday, the Bullets lost in double overtime 1-0 against the Muhlenberg College Mules. It was the third game of the season to go into double overtime. Even with three shots on net in under a minute, the Bullets could not get past goalie Jordan Segrave.
This loss brought Gettysburg’s record to 6-7. Although the Lady Bullets have posted an impressive 5-0 record at Musselman Stadium this season, the Bullets have struggled playing away from home turf. Facing three teams in the NCAA DIII Top 25, including top ranked Messiah College, the Gettysburg team has had a challenging schedule in the first half of the season.
“We have a very difficult schedule, so the first thing we need to do, and have done, is to compete as hard as we can in each game,” said Head Coach Barb Jordan.
The toughness of the Gettysburg College Field Hockey team was exemplified by a double overtime victory against #15 ranked Ursinus College on September 23rd.
“[The victory] was definitely a highlight and gave us confidence to keep fighting in the conference,” said senior co-captain Casey Eck.
The game was a turning point in the season for the Gettysburg College Field Hockey team. Since that game, the Bullets have boasted a 4-2 record and have moved up to fifth place in the Centennial Conference.
The Bullets are playing with a young team. The team has 16 underclassmen, thirteen of which are first years. “The group of girls that came in were some of the most talented and hardworking players this program has seen in a first-year class.” said Eck.
“We are really young, and are coming together nicely as a team, which top-ranked teams like Ursinus in our conference have noticed,” said sophomore midfielder Julia Soares.
The youth is not the only contributing factor to team success.
Senior goalkeeper Haley Mowery has proved to once again be a vital component on the Gettysburg team. A three year starter at the college, Mowery recently reached a milestone in Gettysburg Field Hockey history with her 400th career save against Franklin & Marshall College.
“We have relied on Haley to be a rock in net this season,” said Soares. “She brings a lot of positive energy, and it is so contagious. She helps everyone, especially the young players, when games get tough. She has so much experience, and that has really helped us grow a team this year.”
The Bullets need to hold onto their fifth-place position for the remainder of the regular season in order to reach the Centennial Conference playoffs.
With four games left in the season, Eck is confident in the team’s ability. “Expectations are to make it to the tournament and finish the season strong,” she said. “I know I can speak for the rest of the seniors when I say that’s been our goal for four years. We are closer than we’ve ever been, and we have the talent and the drive to get there.”
The Gettysburg field hockey team will return to action tomorrow at Swarthmore College at 1:00p.m.
