Emily Corbett dribbles the ball up field. (Photo courtesy of Kaitlyn York)
By Kaitlyn York Contributing Writer
The UMF Field Hockey team recently battled the Thomas Terriers in a regular season game that resulted in a 3-0 loss.
It was a brisk and windy morning, though that didn’t slow down the Beavers as they warmed up for the game. The team had practiced especially hard in preparation for facing the Terriers, knowing they needed the win to help to their record.
“We played a very good first half Saturday but unfortunately fell behind 1-0 by giving up a goal late in the half. In the second half we pressed a little too hard and the game got away from us,” said head coach, Cyndi Pratt, in an email interview. “It was a case of wanting something so bad and trying so hard that we played a little to tense and uptight.”
The Beavers work
UMF’s field hockey team stands at the begining of the game.(Photo courtesy of Kaitlyn York)
ed hard both offensively and defensively to hold off the Terriers for the first 22 minutes of the game.
Senior team captain, Torrie Nightingale, lead the team down the field numerous times in the first half and was just short of scoring a goal. “We were close during the first half and we were down there the whole time, in position,” said Nightingale.
Both teams came back with a bang at the beginning of the second half, each pushing harder than before on an offensive push. The Terriers scored another goal just three minutes into the second half putting them ahead 2-0. In an effort to get the game back, the Beavers pushed extremely hard to keep the ball on their offensive side of the field.
“We really connected on our passes and we worked well down the middle of the field and on the outside, so we just need to be able to finish” said senior, Gabriella Winslow. “We definitely need to be able to score some goals and out beat the opponent.”
In the last few seconds of the game, the Terriers scored their third and final goal determining the fate of the game.
“I think we played really well as a team, we just didn’t finish what we needed to,” said Nightingale, “we were the better team today, the score board just didn’t reflect that.”
“The Field Hockey program has a long history of success and tradition. Players in our program are hard working and committed to doing their very best each and every day,” Pratt said. “This year’s team is no different, we have a strong group of senior leaders and the underclassman are working hard and improving everyday.”
Pratt stated this years team lacks some playing experience at the collegiate level though she hopes that the regular season games will give them the experience that they need to be able to improve and win before playoffs. The team has seven more games in the regular season before they begin their journey into the playoffs.
“This team has a lot of character and toughness and they will keep working hard and competing to the best of their ability each and every game.” said Pratt.