The Georgetown University field hockey team dropped a 4-2 decision to Holy Cross (13-5) last Sunday to finish the season with a record of 5-12 overall and 0-6 in the Big East Conference. Although this record does not scream success, the team put together a solid overall performance in what was their first season in Big East Conference play. The record also leaves no doubt as to the caliber of competition in the Big East, but the young team can certainly expect greater success with a season of conference play under its belt.
Holy Cross opened up the scoring on Sunday, shooting out to a 2-0 lead less than 15 minutes into the game off of goals by junior Sara O’Coin. Just after the 15 minute mark, freshman midfielder Alice Murnen cut the deficit in half with her third goal of the season. The goal came off of a perfect set-up pass by fellow freshman Willemijn Wijsman. The Crusaders would strike once more on a goal by junior Carolyn Connelly before the half, putting the Hoyas down 3-1.
The Lady Hoyas quickly crept to within one in the second half as freshman midfielder Chelsea Aiken broke through for her fifth goal of the season, assisted by freshman forward Kristen Volpe. With a goal by senior Tara Welch, Holy Cross rounded out the scoring for the 4-2 victory.
“Our record does not reflect the level we played at this season,” Hoya Head Coach Laurie Carroll said. “This is the highest level we’ve played at since I’ve been a coach here, and that is very impressive considering how young this team is.”
Calling the team young is an understatement. It is no surprise that all of the Georgetown goals and assists came from freshmen. The 19-player roster includes nine freshmen, and as many as six of them can be seen on the field at any one time. Although the team is certainly sad to say goodbye to the two seniors, goalkeeper Abby Winer and defender Megan Cellucci, they are understandably excited to enter the 2007 season with a young, talented and much more experienced team.
“We are still working on bringing in a solid recruiting class,” Carroll said of the 2007 season. “We were one of the youngest teams in the conference this year, but we expect to do well next season with a year of conference play behind us and a more experienced squad.”
