By Craig Healy
The University of Louisville field hockey team has been nothing short of amazing in the month of October. Last Thursday, the team wrapped up the regular season with a 3-2 victory in overtime over regional rival Indiana University.
Senior Allison Maffitt scored two goals in the game, including the game winner in overtime, to end the regular season on a high note for the Cards.
The victory tied the school record with eight wins in a row. The No. 13 Cardinals are currently sitting with a 14-5 record. They also have a 5-1 mark in Big East play, giving them a share of the regular season Big East championship.
“We have a lot of young players on the team and everyone is starting to gel,” Maffitt said. “The seniors, freshmen, juniors, sophomores… everyone is starting to connect and we are just playing really well right now.”
Maffitt leads the team with 11 goals and senior Janelle Avila chipped in with seven goals. Freshman Nicole Youman also added eight goals, giving her an excellent freshman debut. Behind the goal, senior goal keeper Marie-Claire Heller has been outstanding, posting three shutouts while allowing only 1.63 goals a game. Heller gave up only six goals during the eight game win streak.
“We are getting better from game to game,” U of L head coach Pam Bustin said. “They’re not just focusing on the results, they’re focusing on the performances and when we come back on Monday or Tuesday after a weekend of play we do a lot of evaluating and apply that to the field.”
The Cardinals started off the season a little slow, coming out of the gates with a 3-4 record, including games against four ranked opponents. It seems the early test has paid off in the long run because the Cards have won eleven out of the past twelve matches.
“When you bring nine new players on any field it takes a little time to adjust,” Bustin said. “It takes time to get to know one another and decide who we really are. By design we play some tough teams early to set the tone for the remainder of the season.”
Up next for the Cardinals is the Big East Tournament. Since entering the Big East, the Cards have yet to make it out of the first round.
The toughest competition in the tournament would have to be the University of Connecticut, who beat Louisville earlier this season 6-0.
“We are winless against Uconn,” Maffitt said. “I think it will be a much different game. We have matured as players and we are a lot more cohesive so hopefully it will work out a lot better.”
With tons of momentum, the Cards are poised and determined to take it one game at a time for a successful post season run.
“My goal is to take care of business,” Avila said. “In the post season anything is possible and if we just take care of business we will hopefully keep walking away with a smile. I will not let myself come away from this season with any regrets!”
