Freshman forward Grace Dempsey gets set on the field for the Knights in the team’s 4-1 win against William Smith College on Wednesday Sept. 5. Dempsey recorded 2 shots and one goal in the contest (Udeshi Seneviratne/photo editor).
The Geneseo field hockey team looks to return stronger than before with plans to bring the SUNYAC title back home this season.
Head coach Margaret McConnell has brought innovative playing strategies and a fresh look to the team in her first season in charge.
The beginning of the season is off to a good start, according to senior defender Tess Necaise.
“[The team is] all on the same page,” Necaise said. “[The goal this season] is to dominate in the SUNYAC and try to obtain first seed.”
The Knights graduated six seniors last season, including two record holders in scoring and a goalie. The returning players will be expected to step into new roles, while the freshmen look to improve their skills and adjust to college-level play.
A first-year class that already has players on the field during the game will be essential in earning the SUNYAC title at the end of the season.
Freshman defender Grace Maley is part of that first-year class, and already sees the team developing as a unit.
“The team has come very far from just being together for a couple of weeks,” Maley said. “We are starting to play as one.”
The expected adjustment with both a new head coach and a new class of players has been smooth.
Despite being nervous about joining a team without having met the coach, Maley feels very grateful to have McConnell as her coach.
“[The team is] a fantastic group of adaptable players and are a joy to work with day in and day out,” McConnell said.
McConnell brings a positive view with new ideas while keeping tradition in place, according to Necaise
During preseason, McConnell emphasized the importance of collaboration on the field. McConnell’s goal was to create a supportive environment where the players can try new things and not be afraid of making mistakes. Looking forward, the team hopes to expand upon their new skills and continue playing as one unit.
For the first two games of their 2018 season, the field hockey team traveled to Vassar College to compete in the Betty Richey Tournament. The Knights beat Marywood University 3-1 on the first day of the competition, Friday Aug. 31. They fell 4-1 to host Vassar College in the tournament championship the following day.
After playing together over the weekend, Necaise believes each player learned how the other players worked individually and within the team.
McConnell believes that the tournament was a great way to begin the season. The team played against a top opponent and will be able to learn from the experience moving forward.
“Every challenging game will make us stronger,” McConnell said.
The upcoming week includes two games against nationally ranked teams with a history of being tough opponents. The first home game against William Smith on Wednesday Sept. 5 resulted in a 4-1 win for the Knights.
The team continued their success from last year when they beat William Smith on their home field 4-3 despite many thunder delays. On Saturday Sept. 8, the team will travel to play No. 21 Skidmore College, another tough opponent the Knights have not beaten in their past eight meetings.
The team always looks forward to fans joining them in the stands at home games because there is nothing better than a cheering crowd.