Sports
Field Hockey excited for another shot at undefeated Bowdoin
By Becca Hazlett '13, Sports Contributor
October 27, 2011
After a couple of close games with Williams and Tufts the field hockey team feels ready to head to Maine for their first playoff game in the NESCAC against number one Bowdoin College. The women’s team has already traveled to Maine over fall break where they experienced a very good Bowdoin team in what was a tough loss.
Mary Lancaster ’12 commented on the Bowdoin loss, “Everyone took our losses to heart and there was a visible depression of team spirits.”
After playing tougher opponents like Middlebury and Bowdoin, the field hockey team has gotten a good glimpse at just how competitive the NESCAC truly is. There is no such thing as an easy win or a “gimme” game in the league. The NESCAC embodies the concept that on any given day any team can beat anyone in the conference.
Lancaster comments on the teams transition to the NESCAC, “We knew that the transition into the NESCAC would be a tough one, but I don’t think anyone, coaches included, anticipated just how different the conference would be. I think it has taken us the greater part of the season to realize what it means to be playing in the NESCAC and how to battle against it.”
The field hockey team did not toss in the towel after being handed that tough loss to Bowdoin; instead they bounced back and battled hard in what were two very close and unfortunate losses first to Williams and then to Tufts.
Lancaster said of the games, “Our close games against Williams and Tufts, while disappointing showed a team-wide renewal of energy and perseverance.” This is the energy and determination the team will take with them to Bowdoin.They spent this past week getting back to the basics of the game and reestablishing not only themselves as players, but also came together as a team. This group of young women embody the never-give-up attitude and will battle till the last whistle.
Knowing that, in the NESCAC, any team can win on any day, Lancaster said, “upsets are the rule rather than the exception and your really never know what’s going to happen in a game until you step out on the field.” After having a week to come together and learn from their loss, the field hockey team has another week to prepare for Bowdoin.
Lancaster comments “At this point, I think we’ve adjusted to things and are eager to prove ourselves in the playoffs.” If Bowdoin thinks they’ll have an easy first round playoff game, they should think again; a determined Hamilton field hockey team is making the trek to Maine for a rematch.