As Muhlenberg’s field hockey team comes closer to the conclusion of their season, they seem to be looking toward the future. Although the group started their season by winning four consecutive games against non-conference opponents, they have had mixed results since. Sporting a 9-7 overall record, there has been a clear disparity all year long between non-conference, where the team finished 6-1, and conference matchups, during which they are only 3-6.
In spite of their recent woes, the team has emphasized that the way they can play at their best is by doing as much as they can to take control on both offense and defense. “As a group, we are only able to win games if we work together, set the pace of the game and communicate effectively,” Sophie Beeler ‘21 said. In addition to the lessons they learned about themselves as a unit during their most recent losing skid, the group has also demonstrated their ability to come together and stickhandle their way through difficult situations, most notably in their 1-0 win on Oct. 22 at home against Gwynedd Mercy in rainy conditions.
This final portion of the season has a significant amount of sentimental value for the team’s older players, as they are enjoying their final practices and games with Jordan Segrave ‘20, the lone senior on the team. Segrave’s looming departure gives them extra incentive to end their year on a high note in order to send their teammate out with a bang. “We are facing two teams in the conference,” said Mel Cartagena ‘22, seeming giddy about the team’s chances of ending their whirlwind of a year by sending conference rivals a message about what’s to come next season. “With hope, that will be some good competition, and we are optimistic about our chances of winning both of our remaining games,” Cartagena followed up.
The group’s attempt to do so is off to a promising start, as they won their game on the road against McDaniel on Oct. 26, the first of the final triad of games, all of which are against Centennial Conference rivals. The team likely played well over the weekend because they not only went in with a game plan, but they also made sure to stick to it. “The game plan was to spread the field and keep up communication. It was important for us to play the highest level of field hockey we possibly could and not let the other team get into our head[s],” Cartagena said about the group’s win. “We were able to keep this up and maintained ball possession for a large portion of the game, which was really important in helping us reach our goal,” she added.
Beeler agreed with the sentiment and seemed focused on both the present and future. “We are still looking to win out the rest of our games this season and continue playing strong. That being said, we also have already begun working hard to prepare for next year,” she said.
The field hockey team is set to finish their season during the coming week and cap off the year in front of the home crowd against the Washington College Shorewomen on Nov 2.
