The field hockey teamís season came to an end last Saturday.† Despite a 4-0 loss to No. 2 Salisbury University, the team can hang its hat on the finest season in team history.
This loss marks the end of a terrific season for the Scots who managed a very impressive record of 17-6. The NCAC Champion Scots have much to be proud of as they look back on a season filled with accomplishment both as a team and as individuals. They dominated their conference with impeccable defense and an overpowering offense.
The game Saturday was much closer than the final score indicated as the Scots only trailed by one goal going into the half. Madalyn Myers í12 had an impressive first half, holding the Seagulls to just one goal while making seven saves. This was not surprising given that she has been the foundation of the Wooster defense all year. Unfortunately for the Scots, their impressive defense would eventually break down in the second half and their offense would never get the ball rolling.
During the second half, Salisbury broke away from the Scots with three goals just after the break. Caitlin Walker scored the first goal for Salisbury, following scores from Beverly Beladino and Tara McGovern. The Scotsí offense was unable to respond. A team that averaged over three goals per game was held scoreless by a very impressive Salisbury defense. It seemed that the goal was just out of reach for the Scots, as their offense simply could not gain ground against the dominant force of the Salisbury defense.
Although the Scots lost their match on Saturday, they can look back and be very proud of what they have accomplished on the playing field this season. They captured their second consecutive NCAC conference championship and made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament with a win over Hamilton College, a feat that has only been accomplished once before in Scots history. This team also recorded the most wins by a Scots team since 1981, cementing their place in Wooster Scots history.
In addition to these team accomplishments, several key players for the Scots had stellar seasons. Four Scots made the all-tournament team following the Scotsí championship victory over Ohio Wesleyan University in the NCAC championship match, Stephanie Standera í11, Brittany Montgomery í10, Kate Valora í11 and Katrina Wojciechowski í10. In addition, Amanda Artman í10 dominated the competition this season, becoming the College of Woosterís all-time leader in points while also leading the NCAC in points. These players combined their skills to form a team, which has set the bar very high for the future of the field hockey program.
These accomplishments form the legacy of an excellent college field hockey team, a legacy that was created through hard work and dedication. The Fighting Scots accomplished something which all athletes strive for, a season that they can look back on and be proud of.
The Scots plan on graduating four seniors this year, who accounted for nearly 50 percent of the teamís offensive output this past season (39 of the 81 total goals). The Scots will return 11 first-years who all saw action. Rising senior Eileen Barrer í11 will be asked to step into Artmanís large offensive void.