By Pk Bartley

Six record setting seniors say good-bye on Saturday

By PK Bartley

Field Hockey Writer

The six seniors on the University of Louisville women’s field hockey team are one of the main reasons why U of L is becoming a national powerhouse for the sport.

The group of Danielle Barr, forward Joanie Frame, goalkeeper Janina Perna, midfielder Pip Sanders, midfielder Susan Sattazahn, and midfielder/back Jen Welgosh are the six sensational seniors who have raised the Louisville field hockey program to prominence.

However, they all had a rough start to their college careers. In 1999, their first year, the Cards went 5-15.

“I think it was a lot harder for us that first year,” said Welgosh, “because most of us came from winning programs. And coming here and having so many close games and only winning five of them, it was hard to take.”

Since that first year, the team has improved dramatically with a record of 14-8 in 2000, and 16-5 in 20001. This year, with one of the toughest schedules in the nation, Louisville stands at 12-7, 6-3 in the MAC. The Cardinals played 10-games against teams in the Top-20 and managed to stay in the Top-11 all season themselves.

Even U of L’s head coach Pam Bustin is surprised at how fast the turn around has been, “I didn’t think it was going to happen in the four years that it has. Sometimes I have to remember that because once we get to a certain milestone I want to keep pushing through into the next one. Sometimes I think we have overachieved and maybe I’m pushing it too hard to soon.”

With the six players coming in together and staying together for the whole four years, they have grown together.

“I think we’re all different in our own ways,” said Sattazahn, “and bring us all together. When we can all be friends.”

Frame agrees. “They’re probably going to be five of my best friends for life.” With only a few games left in their college careers, all six will have to make the most of it.

“We were always so bad in the conference,” said Barr. “We were never expected to win, but this year we’re one of the hopefuls to win it.”

Despite all their accomplishments, this senior class does not think they have raised the bar for future classes. “We came in with the intention of building the program,” said Frame, “And for the next classes of recruits they’re here to carry it on.”

Bustin on the other hand seems to think that they have risen the standard, “It set the bar for what’s expected in heart and excellence, but the recruiting class that’s coming in will have to build on this. It’s not good enough we’re not satisfied yet. Eventually we want an NCAA tournament appearance, then a Final Four, then a National Championship.”

To Bustin, the six players have meant a lot to the program, “The six seniors have made the program so far. They’ve jumpstarted what it is that we want to become. When they came in and decided that they were going to become part of a program that went 1-19, I knew that they were special. They wanted to come to a program where they could help build it, and really not be afraid of the work that they were going to have to do. These six are my inspiration for my recruiting right now; I want to recruit a kid who has that work ethic. I owe it to them to go out there and find a kid who will continue with these guys that have started. I’m so proud of them. I can get really emotional. I hope we keep playing this year. The longer we get to play the longer we get to stay together, because once it’s done, its done.”

The six seniors have one final home game left this Saturday at 2 pm against Miami of Ohio. Their accomplishments will be celebrated after the game, and it is an honor in which they well deserve.