Expect the unexpected.That seems to be the motto of the field hockey team. After recording two more wins this past week, the Lions are on a roll with five straight victories to bring their overall record to 5-2.
Another surprising outing by junior midfielder Kaitlin Wooster led the College to a 5-0 beating of Fairleigh Dickenson University-Florham. Wooster ended the day with a hat trick, the third player to complete one for the Lions this year. Her teammates also appreciate her improvement.
"(Kaitlin) is very versatile and she's really stepped it up," sophomore midfielder Blair Alber said. "She's doing a great job."
Barely a minute into the game, sophomore forward Jess Berkowitz scored the first goal at 49 seconds with an assist from Alber. Wooster took over from there scoring once at 6:09, as Alber gained her second assist and again at 19:28 to give the Lions a 3-0 lead going into the half.
Wooster's third goal came after breaking away and battling the Devils' senior goalkeeper Lila Alfaro at 54:15 for an unassisted goal in the second half. Sophomore forward Allison Greene finished off the game scoring the final goal from the top of the circle for her first goal of the season.
"We need to finish our play and pressure the ball," Alber said. "We were detemined to get the ball in the cage against Fairleigh Dickinson after scoring only once against Ramapo."
Junior goalkeeper Kristina Beyel was honored as the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Defensive Player of the Week for the week ending Sept. 19 after shutting out William Paterson University. Beyel has helped her team win four shutout games and has held opponents scoreless in the past three.
"It all starts with our forwards," Alber said. "We have to try and stop the ball high on the field and not let them cross the 50-yard line."
The win gives head coach Sharon Pfluger a total record of 350-39-5 in 20 seasons with the College.
The Lions also won their second conference game against the Roadrunners of Ramapo College, 1-0. The lone goal came from senior forward Colleen Stamler in overtime at 84:33. This is only the Roadrunners' second season but sophomore goalkeeper Katelyn Ferguson was able to keep the Lions offense at bay finishing with 20 saves. The Lions' defense did their part as well allowing no shots at goal in over 85 minutes of play.
"In the beginning of the season we got nervous," Alber said. "The team has really gelled. There's been an improvement in every game we play and the rest of the season is going to be an uphill climb."
The Lions will play their next conference game against the Profs at Rowan University on Saturday at 1 p.m.
"We're still going to fight hard and try to capitalize on our offense opportunities," Alber said.
