Sports Editor Mike Haggerty recently talked to Eileen Barrer ’11, a senior on the Wooster Field Hockey Team. Barrer has helped lead the Scots to nine straight vicotories at the end of the regular season. This week the Scots entered into post-season play in the hopes of winning another NCAC championship.
MH: Coming off last season’s NCAA tournament appearance, what has been the team’s biggest challenge inremaining dominant this year?
EB: It was probably the beginning of the season when we weren’t sure what our goals would be. We had some tough loses early on but we have a lot of people who have post-season experience and they had to reiterate to the new players how important post-season success is to this program.
MH: A 12-0 victory over† Earlham is very impressive. What do you think was the biggest offensive secret to such a dominant victory?
EB: We had great pass combination early in the match, which led to some early goals. Some teams have are hard time digging themselves out of a hole. It was a great example of our depth and scoring ability.
MH: Congratulations on a very impressive nine straight wins to end the season. What has been the secret to the team’s success at the end of the year?
EB: I think we have had a lot of focus this year especially after a hard start. We had to recollect and remind ourselves of where we want to go this season.
MH: Last year you made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament. What will be the secret for achieving another NCAA tournament appearance this post-season?
EB: I think playing one game at a time, and reminding ourselves that it is win or go home. The post-season is everything we worked so hard for and there is nothing like playing in the post season. If we are going to win we have to stay focused on every match.
MH: What do you think will be the biggest challenge to your team’s NCAC and NCAA posteason hopes?
EB: Wittenberg is a big game, but we can’t underestimate Kenyon. Everybody is focused and confident, but we can’t look past each individual game.
MH: What was your team’s plan of attack going into last Wednesday’s matchup against Kenyon College?
EB: Score as quickly as possible. Try to put them in a hole early. We are very capable of scoring early and if we can get ahead we will definitely have an upper hand in the match.