Senior Paige Henry advances up the field imposing
on Denison's defense to create a scoring opportunity
for the Tigers in last week's game.
ABBY MARGULIS / THE DEPAUW
From the first preseason practice back in August, the DePauw field hockey team had visions to see the turf at the NCAA tournament, but Denison University ended the Tigers hopes in the first round game of the North Coast Athletic Conference match, defeating DePauw 2-0.
Finishing with a 16-3 overall record, the Tigers' final game came as a shock.
“We did not get the ending that we hoped for and I don't believe the outcome of our final game versus Denison represents the success and talent of the team,” senior forward Paige Henry said.
In last week’s match, the Tigers gave up a goal early in the first half to the Denison Big Red and could not recover from it despite their efforts to put a goal in the back of the cage.
“It’s tough,” head coach Gina Preston said immediately following the game. “Hat’s off to Denison they came out with a really strong game with intensity…I’m really proud of [our] team. They played really hard during the second half to come back. They never gave up.”
Throughout the season the team focused on small details to lead to their success and saw improvement over the course of 19 games.
“We worked a lot on passing and eliminating,” first-year Paige Berliner said. “We also focused a lot on trying to win our conference. Unfortunately we were unable to do this, but I know everyone worked hard to be the best we could be.”
Looking back to the Tigers' second game of the season against Rhodes College at the end of August, Henry comments on seeing the team’s growth to its final game.
“We began the season with a great start defeating three very good teams right off of the bat,” Henry said. “When thinking back to our over time game with Rhodes, we seem to be a completely different team. Our passing began to really click down the road. When we worked together as one unit, our game was really pretty.”
Not only did the team improve on the field but they also got to know each other during practice, long bus rides and locker room talk. Even though the season is over Berliner is excited for her next three years on the team.
“We’re all going to work really hard during this offseason and next year so hopefully we can win the NCAC next year,” Berliner said. “We’re losing a lot of really good seniors so that will be another reason for us to keep working hard and improving.”
For the seniors their season ended early but they can’t complain about the strides they were still able to make.
“My favorite game this year was our senior day game versus Denison, who is always a huge rival of ours,” Henry said. “We were relentless that game, and I know the seniors weren't going to accept anything other than a win. We held Denison to a shutout and won 4-0. I don't think Denison knew what hit them that day.”
Even though Denison ended the Tigers chance to head to the NCAA for the third year in a row, the seniors can’t help but look back on their past four seasons and smile.
“While I am disappointed the season is over and there isn't a next year, I have had an incredible four years on this team,” Henry said. “We have been extremely successful, and I think it just proves that hard work really does payoff. All of the early mornings and long practices are all worth it when you think about all of the accomplishments our team has achieved. While this season did not end in the way we wished, our team still has a lot to be happy about.”