The DePauw University field hockey team left Kenyon College tired and disappointed after falling one goal short to the Ladies, 2-1. This game marks the Tiger’s first loss of the 2014 season.
“No one wants to see a loss, but I’m glad we got it out now instead of in the (NCAC) tournament (at the end of the season),” senior Paige Henry said. “It’s okay, but we realized that every team is going to bring their best game against us. They’re gunning for us.”
Leaving the loss behind them the team drove to Denison University for its second match of the weekend. The Tigers stepped off the bus and onto the field ready to go, ending the match with a 2-0 shutout, improving to 5-1 overall and 1-1 in the NCAC.
Facing the Kenyon Ladies Saturday morning the Tiger’s first-year Addie Ball knocked in a goal early in the first half. Eight minutes later Kenyon tied the score at 1-1 and with 51 seconds remaining in the first half Kenyon scored its second goal capitalizing on a penalty corner.
The Tigers finished the game with no shots scored on them in the second half. The Tigers out shot Kenyon 22-8 despite the final score.
Leaving Kenyon behind the women moved onto their game against Denison with the goal of having each person individually give it their all. The women picked up their game coming out on top, 2-0 over the Big Red.
Seeking to add another win to their streak after the previous day’s loss the Tigers accomplished their goal by having all 25 players stringing together the pieces to make a win realistic.
“Sending a hard ball right to our teammate’s stick, cutting into open space, putting pressure on the other team right away,” Grady explained. “What worked well for us (Sunday) to get the win is that we were winning the 50/50s and getting to the ball first and then sending it on to the next pass right away.”
Scoring the two goals against Denison were senior Paige Henry and junior Laynie Thomas.
Thomas hit the back of the cage 19 minutes into the first half off a rebound while Henry put a shot in after 51 minutes of play on a penalty corner. First-year Maddy Burds assisted Henry’s goal.
The Tiger’s win Sunday was due in part to the fact that they left Saturday’s loss on the field and started fresh.
“All you can do after a loss is to move forward and work ahead,” Henry said. “We knew Denison was going to be a tough game as well so we put the loss behind us. We focused on that game and making the improvements from there. We were excited and looking forward to Denison. We tried to have a positive outlook and build upon the things we have done so far.”
The team is looking forward to finding improvements they can make to continue the success they want before facing Oberlin College this coming Saturday at Reavis Stadium.
“Every team we play from here on out is going to bring their very best game against us,” Grady said. “I don’t think Kenyon had anything that proved to their success. It was more about what we were missing. Our team needs to adjust to the way different teams play, offensively and defensively, and then make it our game.”