BY DANIEL FRIEL

In print | Published October 30, 2008

The Swarthmore field hockey team dropped a hard-fought game against a formidable Gettysburg squad 4-0 at home Saturday. Despite the rainy weather and their opponent’s menacing ranking of sixteenth in the nation, the Garnet came off Clothier Field in high spirits.

Co-captain Sarah Reynolds ’09 called it “one of the best games of our season.” Drawing on the experience of battling #4 Johns Hopkins in September, Reynolds felt that “[Gettysburg] looked better than Hopkins,” and was pleased with her teammates’ ability to keep up with such a competitive opponent despite having only one substitute to work with on the field, which has proven to be a nagging disadvantage.

Reaffirming her sentiments, Reynolds proudly recognized that “we played like a team.” Admitting that the team’s recent “scores and record don’t do justice” to the level of play they have exhibited on the field, she said that the Garnet squad is due for a victory.
Indeed, Swarthmore, who fell to 5-11 (1-7 in Centennial Conference play) after the loss, looks to snap a three-game losing streak in the final two games of the 2008 season this week. Gettysburg (11-5, 6-2 CC) extended their winning streak to three with the win.

Bolstered by a strong defense, Gina Grubb ’10 tallied six saves in goal against Gettysburg, while Katie Ashmore ’11 notched four in the final minutes of the second period. Reynolds, who was credited with two defensive saves against the Bullets, is one of five seniors whose impending departure weighs heavily on the team. The program looks to first-year head coach Lauren Fuchs to help facilitate the recruitment of a top-notch freshman class next year to propel the team to a winning season.

In the meantime, Fuchs has been pleased with the women’s effort on the field, but is eager to make improvements. She noted that the ladies did “some nice things offensively [against Gettysburg]” and that the squad has been “working with different ways to draw our corners” in order to make a big impact in upcoming conference matches, which could serve as necessary inspiration as the team looks forward to coming back with a vengeance in 2009.

While a playoff berth is not within reach for the Garnet, there is plenty of motivation as they are still in a position to affect the dynamics of the conference tournament. Reynolds pointed out that with a win against Franklin and Marshall on Saturday, they could prevent the Diplomats from reaching the playoffs. This may be small consolation to the team’s aspirations, but such an exclamation point may remind the conference that Swarthmore is not to be discounted.

“This has been the definition of a transition year,” Reynolds said, a bit disappointed that she will not be around next year to play with the talented new-first years who are expeced to join the squad. “Lauren [Fuchs] brings such a good morale. The girls are excited about playing, and recruits see that [when they visit].” With more players, Swarthmore will be able to acquire the roster flexibility enjoyed by many of their opponents and substitute players throughout the game, reducing fatigue, and thereby improving overall play.

With only two games left, the seniors on the roster are preparing for their long journeys as collegiate athletes to come to an end. Reynolds remembers beating Franklin and Marshall in the final game of last season, a 3-1 decision at home. This year, she looks forward to ending the season on a winning streak and hopes to “come out with two wins. I think we can surprise both of them,” Reynolds said.
Natalie Stone ’09 concurs, noting that it will be bittersweet to play her final game on Clothier Field. “It’s been great. I will be sad to see it end,” she said of the final weeks of her collegiate athletic career.

Swarthmore faces Haverford (8-8, 4-4 CC) at home Wednesday at 4:30 on Senior Day and will travel to Franklin and Marshall (5-11, 2-7 CC) on Saturday to close the season.

« RETURN TO SPORTS

« PREV ARTICLE | NEXT ARTICLE »