The field hockey team will look to extend its two-game winning streak tomorrow when the Jumbos face off against the Bowdoin Polar Bears at Bowdoin. Tufts, 5-2 overall and 2-2 in NESCAC play, needs a victory to push its conference record past the .500 mark.
After a two-game losing streak on the road, the Jumbos defeated Babson 2-0 last week for their first away win. However, since the Beavers are a non-conference opponent, the win at Bowdoin would mark the first NESCAC victory the team has earned on the road. Tufts hasn't had any trouble winning at home, where solid offensive play has kept the Jumbos undefeated.
Prior to this season, senior tri-captain Dana Panzer hadn't scored a single goal during her collegiate career, but now it's a different story. Panzer has scored in almost every game this season, and currently stands atop the Jumbos and more impressively, the NESCAC, with eight goals and five assists for 21 points, including an average of 1.14 goals per game. Panzer also leads the Jumbos in assists, with five in seven games.
Her efforts haven't been ignored. Panzer was named NESCAC Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 27 through Oct. 3, when she led the Jumbos to two victories. Panzer contributed two goals and one assist in the game against NESCAC opponent Bates last Saturday, following a goal and an assist against Babson the prior Thursday.
"I was really excited," Panzer said on being named Player of the Week. "I had no idea, I found out when my coach told me at practice."
Although Panzer appreciated the recognition of her contribution to the team, she recognized the team's overall achievements as being the most rewarding.
"I've been more happy with the way the team's been playing, and that's I'm really proud of what," Panzer said. "It's so exciting to go to practice every day. We're working so hard and it's really been paying off on the field."
The team has continued to improve under the guidance of new coach Tina McDavitt. The Jumbos are trying to better their already-intense offensive play by putting numbers on the board earlier in the game.
"We do need to score earlier," Panzer said. "There have been a lot of games where we are dominating, but we're not really putting the ball in right away."
Junior tri-captian Lea Napolitano, with two goals and four assists, is another offensive leader for the Jumbos, and she and Panzer have exhibited excellent coordination and chemistry on the field thus far, dominating offensive play and leading their teammates. Senior Jennie Sachs, another key offensive force, also has two goals this season - both game-winning.
The Jumbos' offense is supported by strong defensive play on the other side of the field. Sophomores Marilyn Duffy-Cabana and Angela Rappoli have split time in the net, and although strong defensive play in the field has limited the amount of shots taken by opponents, Duffy-Cabana has racked up 16 saves and Rappoli has 14.
The Bowdoin Polar Bears, 4-3 overall, are also 2-2 in NESCAC play. The team is coming off a strong 2003 season, where it competed in the postseason until it was defeated by Williams in the semifinals. The Polar Bears swept the NESCAC postseason honors, with current team captain senior Marissa O'Neil as Player of the Year, coach Nicky Pearson as Coach of the Year, and sophomore Taryn King as Rookie of the Year.
O'Neil and King's success has continued this season. O'Neil has four goals and six assists in seven games, and King has four goals and five assists. Senior Colleen McDonald, also with four goals, has been the Polar Bears' other offensive leader.
Sophomore Kate Leonard is Bowdoin's primary goalkeeper, and she's let seven in the net but has also blocked 42 shots, posting a save percentage of .857.
Bowdoin has a record of success against Tufts. The Jumbos have not defeated the Polar Bears since 1998, and most recently they lost at home to Bowdoin 2-1 last season.
This year, the teams have already faced some common opponents. The Jumbos have defeated Colby and Wellesley, two teams that earned wins over Bowdoin. The Polar Bears beat Amherst 5-1, but Amherst defeated Tufts in overtime. Both teams lost to Middlebury, an undefeated team with five NESCAC wins.
The Jumbos are fired up to play another conference opponent this weekend as they look to improve their NESCAC record and help their chances of getting home field advantage in the playoffs.
