After a slow start, the field hockey team has come together to create a winning combination. The 1-3 start has been neutralized by two consecutive wins against Nazareth College on Sept. 18 and Utica College on Sept. 22.
The Yellowjackets had a tough game against Utica, needing overtime to dispose of the Pioneers 2-1, Sunday at Fauver Stadium. The victory was the second home victory for UR. The Yellowjackets were first to score, when senior co-captain, Nicole Ketterer put in a shot off of a pass from junior forward, Kaitlin Poeth, twelve minutes into the game.
Unfortunately, UR could not hold their lead for long, with Utica quickly striking back to notch the score at one a piece. The rest of the first and second half were characterized by solid defense, with neither team giving ground. When regulation ended, the score was still tied 1-1.
UR came out like they had not just played two halves of hockey. They looked fresh, forcing breakaway after breakaway, but to no avail. Finally, the same duo that scored the first goal, hooked up again to put in the game winner. The Ketterer goal off the assist by Poeth sealed the 2-1 victory for the Yellowjackets.
Getting to .500 on the season was key for the team’s outlook and confidence. “Being 3-3 is a big deal, it has created a positive mind frame, and has set-up the team to continue winning and hopefully finish with a winning record,” Ketterer said.
These back to back wins have gotten the Yellowjackets back on track, now they just need to play within themselves and stay focused to keep producing Ws. “One of our team’s biggest goals is to continually improve. We really stepped up last game, but we need to keep this up for conference play,” said Ketterer.
Conference play begins for UR with a game Sept. 27 at Vassar College, and a game Sept. 28 at Rochester Polytechnic Institute. UR knows that these teams will be tough opponents. If all goes well UR will carry their present momentum into these games and continue their win streak.
Fitzsimmons can be reached at afitzsimmons@campustimes.org.
