The Massachusetts field hockey team goes into this weekend one game below .500 after dropping a 3-1 game Sunday against Albany. However, the Minutewomen's (5-6) leading goal scorer, Cher King, got back on track after going five games without a goal.
"She narrowed her focus and was really strong on the ball," UMass coach Justine Sowry said. "Her first touch on the ball was very positive. When she's on, she can create so much for us. We need the people around her to be great support for her."
King put three shots on goal against Albany, after the previous game against Brown in which King struggled. The sophomore's goal was her sixth of the season and leaves her tied for fourth in the Atlantic 10. The Minutewomen are back at home Friday against West Chester in both teams' A-10 opener. The Golden Rams' Sara Conrad has two hat tricks and is one spot ahead of King with seven goals.
Lauren Gillespie has recently provided the offensive support Sowry is looking for. The junior scored her first two goals of the season in the two games prior to Albany. The offense needs to continue to receive more contributions from multiple players in order to keep up with opponents.
"When we maintained our wit and support around the ball we looked good," Sowry said of the Albany game, "But at times, we didn't do that."
Goalies continue to alternate games
While Sowry has decided to use two goalkeepers this season, she has been consistent in playing Becky Letourneau and Sarah Williams in alternating games. Should this pattern continue, each will have a chance to show off their skills in A-10 play this weekend.
Williams will get the first shot against West Chester Friday. She is 4-1 on the season, with a .800 save percentage. The Golden Rams are 3-7 in non-conference play, having lost their last six games.
Letourneau, who has faced the stiffer competition this season, will likely take on another challenge against La Salle Sunday. The Explorers 7-6 record stands as the third best in the A-10. Letourneau holds a 1-5 record, with a .656 save percentage.
Minutewomen glad to return home
UMass will look to build upon its 3-1 home record this weekend. The Minutewomen have three one-goal victories at Garber Field, and their only slip-up came against 14th-ranked Boston University on Sept. 12. The Minutewomen were only able to win one of their five A-10 home games last year, which was a factor in their missing the conference tournament.
UMass had more success on the road in conference play last season, defeating West Chester and La Salle in its only two road games of 2006. In 2007 non-conference play, the Minutewomen are 2-5 away from home.
UMass looks to return to A-10 tournament
The 2006 season was just the second time in the last 19 years the Minutewomen failed to qualify for the conference tournament. They had a chance at home on the last game of the season against Rhode Island, but lost, 1-0, behind 14 saves from Rams' goalkeeper M.J. Britt.
Similar to last year, the Minutewomen will play seven conference games. The only non-conference game remaining on the schedule is an Oct. 24 showdown with Dartmouth.
One upcoming game to circle on the schedule is an Oct. 12 matchup with Temple. The Owls recently had a five-game win streak snapped and hold the A-10's best non-conference record at 9-4. Senior Ali Lokey leads Temple with 21 points, including 8 goals and 37 shots on net.
Mike Connors can be reached at mjconnor@student.umass.edu.
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