After her team opened the year with three straight losses, Field Hockey Head Coach Laurie Carroll sought to refocus the players and salvage the 2002 season.

“We were playing as individuals, and our strength is our team play,” Carroll said. “We made a commitment to draw the line and never come back.”

Following recent victories at Virginia Commonwealth and at home against American University, Georgetown field hockey improved to 7-5 overall and has won seven of its past nine games since making the commitment not to dwell on earlier struggles. Instead, the team has turned its focus to the future as it hopes to reach postseason play.

The Hoyas traveled to Richmond on Oct. 12 to face a speedy VCU team. The Rams displayed their athleticism throughout the game, holding the Hoyas without a goal and outshooting Georgetown 17-8. Yet senior goalie Jessica Herring and a dominating defense kept VCU scoreless through regulation time and two 15-minute overtime periods.

After 100 minutes of scoreless hockey, Georgetown came through on penalty strokes. Junior defender Lauren Galbally converted on the first penalty stroke, and freshman forward Katy Conicella scored to give the Hoyas a two-goal advantage. That was all they would need as Herring, who finished with nine saves, denied all of the Rams’ penalty strokes to seal the win.

“The VCU game was the most courageous defensive effort we have ever given,” Carroll said, citing Herring’s strong play in goal and the inspirational play of junior defender Nora irando. The Hoyas stopped VCU on 14 corner shots and matched the Rams’ speed throughout the game to bring the Hoyas above the .500 mark for the first time this season.

Defense was the difference in the Hoyas’ next game as well. In a 2-1 home win over cross-town rival American on Oct. 15, Georgetown scored two goals in the first half. The first was at 14:43 when Galbally scored off of a beautifully executed corner. Junior forward/midfielder Leeanne Rizzo and junior midfielder Shelby Samperton were credited with assists.

“That was the prettiest goal I have seen all year,” Carroll said.

Freshman forward Jessica Quinn extended Georgetown’s lead to 2-0, scoring off a long pass from Rizzo at 35:04. It proved to be the game-winning goal, as American put pressure on the Hoyas after sophomore defender Hope Mandel scored on a scramble at 45:56 to close within a goal. Overall, however, Georgetown’s defense put together another dominant performance, allowing only three shots on goal as the Hoyas outlasted the Eagles for the win.

Georgetown’s game plan against American was to contain their star player, senior forward Magdalena Aguilar. Carroll said she believed that by limiting Aguilar’s scoring chances, Georgetown could come out on top. The strategy was a success: Aguilar managed only three shots, none of which were on goal, and American’s offense was thrown out of sync. American did have 12 corners in the game, but the Hoyas stopped all of them.

“The defensive corner unit was outstanding,” Carroll said. “They did exactly what we asked of them . my philosophy is that if we play great defense, it gives us the opportunity to play more offense. That’s what has been happening.”

Quinn has demonstrated over the course of the season that she is the team’s offensive catalyst. Against American, she extended her team lead in goals to 11 and points to 23. “She has really delivered,” Carroll said. “We feel confident that when Jess gets the ball, she’s going to do something.”

Despite a weak season opening, the team has turned things around. The Hoyas’ strong defensive play and clutch offense have translated into victories, and they hope that it can take them even further. Carroll said she believes that the postseason is still within reach but admits that Georgetown will have to play very well down the stretch to earn a post-season appearance.

Their next game is Oct. 18 at Temple, and the Hoyas return to Kehoe Field Oct. 20 to take on Holy Cross.