Field hockey team prepares for VCU

By Sean Youngberg, staff writer
Posted on October 4, 2007

It does not matter whom the JMU field hockey team plays, whether facing a conference or non-conference opponent, each match is treated equally.

“We take every game seriously,” senior Lauren Stefaniak said. “All games are important, but when you play a team in the same conference emotions run high.”

This Friday when the Dukes roll into Richmond to play a conference match against Virginia Commonwealth University (4-6) they will try not to overlook the struggling Rams.

“This is a very big game for us,” coach Antoinette Lucas said. “We have to play well against other teams in the south [division].”

While the team is playing well, winning five of their last six and riding a four game winning streak, they are not looking too far down the road.

While the VCU Rams currently reside near the bottom of the Colonial Athletic Association Rankings, they are still a team that plays their competition closely. Five of their six losses have been by one goal.

“They are a very scrappy team,” Lucas said of the Rams.

The VCU team and staff are no strangers to the JMU field hockey program. Second year head coach Kelly McQuade and first year assistant coach Shannon Karl both played collegiate hockey at another conference foe, the College of William and Mary.

While JMU finds itself nationally ranked, VCU is looking up and trying to get out from the conference basement.

“I am very confident in our team’s play,” said McQuade. “In an inner conference game the atmosphere is different and emotions do run high.  We will see how it plays out this Friday, it could be anybody’s game.”

JMU field hockey will look to ride its hot start as it, currently sits in first place with a very impressive 9-2 record, and 4-0 in conference play. 

The team has outscored its opponents 31-8, and sophomore goalkeeper Kelsey Cutchins has shut out opponents three times in her 11 starts.

Last year’s national rookie of the year Meghan Bain is leading the team with six goals and is tied for first with twelve points.

JMU field hockey is currently ranked eighth in the nation according to STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll.

The Dukes will return home to face California this Sunday at noon.