Field Hockey Runs Into Deep Defensive Wall This Fall

Despite the high note they began on, things have been looking rather dreary for Catholic’s field hockey team so far this season.

The Cardinals endured two consecutive losses this week alone, falling to Washington and Lee on Saturday and Mary Washington on Tuesday.

 

With both of the games ending in frustrating losses by one goal, it looks like the pressure of overtime works against the momentum and optimism that this young team had at the beginning of the season.

Saturday’s game against Washington and Lee was the first game of the season against the Landmark Conference’s top pick last Saturday within 54 seconds into the first overtime period by firing a goal passed junior goalkeeper Marian Cassilly, despite her four saves throughout the game. The offense of the Cardinals simply was not at its peak performance with six combined shots on goal.

The Cardinals’ frustration remained and carried over to their following game on Tuesday when they let another one get away against Mary Washington 14 minutes into overtime on their opponents’ home field. The only shot attempt in the first half of the game from the Cardinals was from sophomore Andrea Baick at the two minute mark. The second half did not look much better, with Mary Washington out-shooting Catholic 5-3. In the overtime period, Mary Washington out-shot the Cardinals 5-0, when they succeeded in making their first and only goal at the four minute mark against Cassilly. However, Cassilly was recorded to have had five saves throughout the game.

On Saturday, September 27th, the Catholic University Field Hockey Cardinals will put their best foot forward and try to redeem and regain their positive attitude at their next away game against Christopher Newport at 1:00 p.m.

Field Hockey Picks up After Tough Loss

After a frustrating 3-0 loss last week against Gettysburg, the field hockey team bounced back, pummeling Randolph-Macon on Saturday. The Cardinals held their own against their opponents in the away game by defeating the opposition 4-0. The offense ensured a win in the fourth game of the season.

Senior captain Ro Dixon cites the impact that last week’s loss to Gettysburg had on their team. “At Gettysburg we neglected to play the way we had been. The loss to Gettysburg served as a wakeup call and a reminder that in order to get where we want to go this season,” said Dixon.

 

At the beginning of the game, Randolph-Macon was intent on holding off the Cardinals’ offensive attacks, but was equally unsuccessful in getting their players to score against the Cardinal defense in the first half. sophomore Meredith Chandler, however, put the Cardinals on the board in the second half by scoring the first goal of the game. The goal was assisted by fellow sophomore Kendall Petschauer. This intense turn of events ignited what would be a fireworks display of attacks from the Catholic.

Following shortly after, sophomore Victoria Gagliardi fired in another goal off of a pass from freshman Mary Swarthout to add to the momentum of the game. Sophomore Meredith Reape also contributed a goal, along with one from Gagliardi, ending the game with a 4-0 win.

Using this setback as a learning experience, the team worked to play to their full potential against Randolph-Macon. “Overall, we just came out stronger this game, [using] more passing sequences, communication, and play[ing] better together during the game,” said Dixon.

As the season progresses, the women’s team works to keep themselves on track to achieving a first place status, as predicted in the Landmark Conference preseason poll. “When we get ahead of ourselves and forget to do the fundamentals, the anxiety increases and we neglect to do the things that have made us successful,” admitted Dixon. “In order to maintain our strong record, we just have to take one game at a time.”

The Cardinals play their next game this Saturday at Washington and Lee at 1:00 p.m.

CUA Field Hockey Falls After a Promising Opener

Despite the high energy beginning of the season for the women’s field hockey team, the Cardinals tarnished their perfect record, letting Gettysburg slip by them on Tuesday with a loss of 3-0.

From the start of the game, Gettysburg dominated the field. Before the women could respond, their opponents made their presence known by out-shooting the Cardinals 13-3, scoring all three of their goals in the first period of the game.

Once Catholic got warmed up, however, they didn’t allow Gettysburg to get too comfortable. They stepped up their defensive end and only allowed three shot attempts by the other team in the second half. The game remained scoreless, landing Gettysburg a 3-0 win over Catholic.

“Gettysburg is a very solid regional team for us to play,” said senior Kelly Burke. “We knew that it was going to be an intense game, and they happened to have our number that day.”

Although the chance for the idealized “perfect season” may be gone, the opportunity to have the best record in the Landmark Conference is still in the hands of the Women’s Squad. “As a team I don’t think we lost any confidence [after Tuesday’s game],” says Burke. “But it definitely made us more aware of the things we need to accomplish to win down the road.”

Despite the setback, the team is still working to keep the dream of being first in the Landmark Conference alive, one game at a time. “Every game is a challenge and a test for us,” said Burke. “We have been watching film, practicing hard and making the necessary adjustments on the field for the next big games to come.”

Field Hockey prepares to tackle their next game against Randolph-Macon on September 13th at 11 a.m.

Field Hockey Set For Great Season

Field hockey crushed their first two opponents this season, cementing their number one position in the Landmark conference and pulling ahead of their major rival, Drew University. Over two games, the Cardinals scored nine times and allowed only one goal.

According to senior Kelly Burke, the strength of their team comes from their ability to play as a cohesive unit. “Our strongest area is the depth of the team,” says Burke.

Within the first 20 minutes of the season, the cardinals had fired home a salvo of three goals.  Junior Carley Walko scored the first goal of the game, shortly followed by sophomore Abby Banholzer‘s, which was assisted by sophomore Meredith Chandler. By minute 18, Walko assisted senior captain Ro Dixon in the third goal, ending the first period with the Cardinals leading 3-0. The second half was defensively dominated by the Cards, allowing only one goal to sneak by from McDaniel. With three saves by junior goalie Marian Cassilly, the game ended with a 3-1 victory for the Cards.

During the game against Wesleyan, Catholic left their rivals trying to keep up with a scoring rampage. Dixon got the game off to a ferocious start by scoring the first goal, with an assist by sophomore Caroline Reilly. Reilly continued her support by assisting sophomore Victoria Gagliardi and freshman Kelly Carioto, ending the first half three to zip.

An additional pair of goals from sophomores Rebecca Kelly and Meredith Reape resulted in a 6-0 victory for the Cardinals.

These two consecutive wins come on the heels of a Landmark Conference preseason poll, with Catholic as top pick.  With the pressures that come with being the overall first pick, the team has also made sure to factor in personal goals and not allow their standing to get to their heads. “I think that there is some underlying nervousness within all of us, which is normal with every team with such high expectations,” says sophomore Andrea Baick.

This proves to play an essential role in the unity between the girls on the team, helping them work together towards the finishing the season as Landmark Conference Champions.

The CUA field hockey team will continue their race for the top spot this season on Tuesday at Gettysburg.

New Coach Revs Up Cards Football

By: Michael Flynn

The 2008 fall season is a week away, and your CUA Cardinals are ready for some football. The Cards have been chosen 6th in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll with 20 votes, one vote behind Guilford College. Hampden-Sydney College, straight off its fifth ODAC football title, was chosen to repeat as champions this season.

Keith Ricca returns for his senior year to lead the Cardinal offense for his final time after tossing 24 touchdown passes last year. He will have a new quarterback coach this season. Former Syracuse University quarterback Marvin Graves will coordinate offense. Graves will bring years of experience to the quarterback position. He is a local product and a graduate of Archbishop Carroll High School. He then attended Syracuse University, where he was a record-setting quarterback for the Orangemen. He started all four seasons after red shirting his freshman year, and was a three-time bowl game MVP. As a senior, Graves was ranked second in the nation in passing efficiency, won the Davey O’Brien Award (national quarterback of the year) runner-up and a Heisman Trophy candidate.

The Cardinal staff is also adding Kevin Barger, who will lead the defensive line and special teams. Barger comes to CUA from Ursinus College where he had the same position for the Bears last season. He will coach a strong defensive line led by seniors Sean Green and Dean Petrone.

Having went 5-5 last season, the team is looking to improve upon that record with a veteran-laden squad boasting 21 seniors. The Cards kick off their season next Saturday at Shenandoah.