Georgetown’s Field Hockey season officially commenced last Saturday, kicking off against St. Joseph’s University and taking on Westchester College on Sunday in Philadelphia. The Hoyas lost both matches, 3-1 on Saturday and 1-0 on Sunday. They finished off a tough week Wednesday, falling to UMBC 2-1.
Despite the losses, Head Coach Lori Carroll, now in her third year with the Hoyas, said she remains optimistic and excited for the fall season. Led by senior captains Jessica Herring and ichaela Brown, the 2002 field hockey squad is full of depth and experience, as every player has competed with the team since their freshman year at Georgetown.
Herring, a regional All-American, is leading the team’s defense from the goalkeeper position and has already proven her talent early in the season. Herring put on a terrific performance during Saturday’s games, particularly against St. Joseph’s, in which she saved seven shots and allowed two goals, both of which were penalty shots.
Herring is aided by a strong defense, including leaders such as junior Lauren Galbally, sophomore Megan Leahey and junior Nora irando. Co-captain Brown leads the team’s offense at the forward position, along with stellar midfielders junior Shelby Samperton and junior Leeanne Rizzo.
After compiling a 12-5 record last year and a strong postseason finish at the ECAC tourney, the 2002 Hoyas are determined to produce victories against rivals such as American, Rutgers and Penn and earn a postseason invite to the ECAC tournament. After bringing in nine freshman recruits, Coach Carroll says she is confident that her team’s depth and past success will create a solid foundation for the fall season.
“We aren’t looking at a rebuilding year, but more so an exciting opportunity to win competitive games and to increase the standards of Georgetown’s field hockey program,” Carroll said. “So far we are taking each challenge on a game to game basis, hoping to maintain consistent performances that will result in a strong regular and postseason.”
In Wednesday’s game, The Hoyas battled back from a one-goal deficit and played most of the game tied with UMBC at one goal apiece. With less than a minute and a half remaining in the game, UMBC put in a goal to hand Georgetown a tough third loss.
The Hoyas take on Miami of Ohio on Saturday, Sept. 7. Following Saturday’s game, the field hockey squad begins a five-game home stretch, competing against Monmouth, Towson, UC-Berkeley, Indiana and Richmond.
