Field hockey team meets goals despite 6-11 finish

For the Lehigh field hockey team, it’s not always about wins and losses.

Despite finishing 6-11, coach Caitlin Dallmeyer said the team accomplished all of its goals for this season. The team has improved by one win each of the last three years, but it also hasn’t had a winning record since 1994.

The team had a rocky start to this season with an eight-game losing streak, the team bounced back by winning five of its last eight games.

The team’s last game and most recent win against Brown University last Saturday was the pinnacle of the season for the team.

“It really gave us a chance to put together and utilize everything we’ve learned over the season,” sophomore Lauren Dice said. “It was also really great to send off the seniors with a win as their last field hockey game.”

The Mountain Hawks started the 2016 season with a win against Rider University. Though they then lost eight consecutive games, the women rallied with a four-game winning streak against Holy Cross, Siena College, Colgate University and Towson University that showed the team’s ability to learn and grow from previous losses. After three losses, The Mountain Hawks bounced back with a 4-2 victory over Brown on Oct. 30.

The team didn’t make it to the Patriot League Tournament this year, but the season is far from over for the returning players. From now until the holiday break marks their offseason, where their bodies are given a chance to physically recover from the stress of the season, and the start of the spring semester marks the beginning of offseason training.

The players will work with speed and conditioning trainer Dom Carlineo as they focus on building their speed and strength for the next consecutive seasons. Practices will be held throughout the week in preparation for the five competition dates scheduled for the spring semester. These competition dates include dual games as well as tournaments or individual games.

Looking back on the season, coach Caitlin Dallmeyer applauded the team on all the changes it made and how well those changes were received.

“The team worked harder and longer before and after practice, and really showed their commitment and dedication to making the field hockey program as strong as it can possibly be,” Dallmeyer said.

On top of the progress the team made working as a cohesive unit, the players strengthened their defense by reducing shots allowed while increasing total goals scored.

“There were no individual players who carried us this year,” Dallmeyer said. “No superstars, which is great for a team. It means we have a really strong team where everyone is capable of contributing equally and playing on the same level.”