The Elm Student Newspaper
Field Hockey falls to Swarthmore, defeats Gettysburg
Stephanie Fowler
Members of WC's field hockey squad had their work cut out for them this past week as they went up against two of the toughest teams in the Centennial Conference: Swarthmore and Gettysburg. The Shorewomen were just coming off of a three game stretch on the road.
"Over the past week or so we had hit a plateau in our playing," commented sophomore Amy Stein reflecting on the 2-1 week. Better playing meant reaching past the plateau. It also meant facing #2 Swarthmore College and #4 Gettysburg College.
On the road last Thursday, the Shorewomen faced the Swarthmore Garnets in Swarthmore, PA. The game got off to a tough start as neither team had scored during the first half. The defense stepped up their play, but they could not fend off the Garnet offense. Unfortunately, the second half proved more fruitful for the Garnets as they scored at the 24:16 and 7:56 marks of the period.
The Shorewomen end their regular season
with high hopes for post-season action.
Photograph by Ryan Murray, Elm photographer.
Swarthmore outshot Washington 18-16 and senior goalkeeper Toby Wilmet recorded 15 saves in the loss.
The Shorewomen were far from finished. "It is hard to have your heart in every game. But after much personal reflection, we remembered why we play this game and what we love about it," added Stein. As they took on long-time foe Gettysburg College, their hearts certainly were in the right place.
The WC squad took control of the scoreboard immediately as sophomore Julie Phillips hit the back of the net at the 20:58 mark of the first half.
Sophomore Megan Daily and freshman Missy Tine were credited with the assist on Phillips's goal.Gettysburg answered with a goal less than nine minutes later. Freshman Taneil Sisco pulled WC back into the lead though with an unassisted goal at the 6:53 mark. The Shorewomen lead the Bullets 2-1 at halftime.
Entering the second half, senior Nicki Maccari fired a shot passed the Gettysburg goalie, increasing WC's lead. Sisco was credited with the assist on Maccari's tally, which occurred at the 21:30 mark of the second half.
Even though Gettysburg outshot Washington 22 to 8, the Shorewomen's offense was simply more effective in the pressure situations. Equally as effective was the defense; Wilmet made 12 saves during the game. The Bullets's offense held a 17-6 edge in shots on goal against Washington, but they could not get much past the strong defense of Washington.
This victory over Gettysburg, who is now 6-8 overall and 5-3 in the conference, has created an interesting situation for the Centennial Conference playoffs.
Five teams -- WC included -- are vying for playoff positions.Currently, Washington is among the top three teams in the conference.
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