Marshall Field Hockey to Rely on Experience

Though the Marshall High field hockey team fell short of earning any titles in their 2011 season, they racked up an impressive 13-2 regular season record.

With eight returning seniors, and four more seniors up from junior varsity, the Statesmen believe their strong senior leadership and experience will allow them to continue their success and carry them deep into the postseason.

"The goal for us is to always make it to the regional tournament. It means doing well in our season and making it past the first round of districts. Obviously the ultimate goal is to move on through the regional tournament and ideally make it to states," said Christina Carroll, the Statemen's 14-year veteran coach who was named Coach of the Yearin the Liberty District. "We lost six players last year, but we have 12 seniors this year, so we have a strong senior class. I think we're in a position to do it."

Three of those seniors earned All-District honors last year: Defender Maggie MacDonnell was a first team selection, while midfielder Katie Clark and forward Madeleine Lewsen were named to the second team. 

All three are likely to be depended on because of their strong stickwork and on-the-field leadership, Carroll said. 

"We have a lot of people with strong stickwork, it's just a matter of connecting those passes and filling in with the people who are new to the team, and working on our chemistry," Carroll said. "Our weaknesses right now are typical early in the season."

On defense, the Statesmen are young, with two freshmen on the line. Carroll is confident in their natural ability and is already impressed with the improvements made so far.

"Skill-wise they're strong players, they just need to get used to varsity pace," Carroll said.

The Statesmen have started their season 2-2, winning their first two competitions 6-0 and losing the last two 2-0. They next travel to Centreville for a game 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

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