VC field hockey team delivers successful regular season



After enjoying a very successful regular season, can the VC field hockey team keep it going in the playoffs?

Writers Note: This article went to press before VC’s 2-0 playoff loss to Del Norte.

When VC field hockey coach Kristi Fisher first came aboard, she wasn’t sure what to expect. She wasn’t all that familiar with the personnel nor was she all that certain about the overall interest in the program.

But when about 40 girls participated in tryouts, not only was Fisher pleasantly surprised but she also got a sense that this indeed might turn out to be an enjoyable and rewarding gig.

And that’s exactly how things have turned out. Clearly motivated and effectively instructed by their engaged new coach, the Jags will enter the Division I playoffs having just wrapped up a splendid regular season in which they posted a fine 13-7-2 record.

“At first I was kind of heading into the unknown,” says Fisher, “but I’ve had so much fun with the players. The fact that they’ve worked so hard has made the whole experience so positive. And I’m so excited about the huge improvement we’ve made from where we started to where we are now.”

One of the reasons Fisher has so much cachet with her charges is because she has walked the walk as it relates to being a player, having been a star at San Pasqual High, an All-American at Michigan and then a five-year member of the USA National Team. Her coaching credentials are also noteworthy with experience at numerous levels.

Watch her in practice and she is as involved as can be whether it’s through teaching, actually stepping in to participate in some drills or making sure that practices move along crisply. “I enjoy the chances I have to jump in with the team because it really does bring back some fond memories,” she shares, “but more importantly, it’s often more effective to show them something as opposed to just telling them.”

From the get-go, Fisher has preached to her team a big-picture concept which means not worrying so much about wins and losses but rather focusing on the process of simply getting better each and every day. Based on the excellent results, obviously that message has resonated with her entire 18-member roster.

While adopting an aggressive style that is highlighted by a conspicuous fast pace, the Jags have won three games by a 5-0 count, posted 10 shutouts, captured four of their last six matches and authored a five-game winning streak.

Though real contributions have been made from virtually everyone, a core of nine girls has clearly led the way. 

In junior Alyssa McKeever, VC has a center midfielder who can both attack and defend. A real leader who’s adept at both scoring goals and setting up teammates, McKeever’s solid presence ensures that she logs lots of minutes.

Senior center forward Taylor Friend is a top goal scorer with notable leadership and ball skills. A real asset up front, Friend does a masterful job of helping to steady the younger players during the course of play.

Gabby McEntire is a talented sophomore who has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. A good finisher when it comes to goals, Gabby has made tremendous improvement during the course of the season.

The impact of goalkeeper Grace Chaney simply can’t be minimized since she’s been so instrumental in helping to win games with saves that have been described by her coach as “really incredible.” Fearless and endowed with good instincts as to when to stay at home or gamble, Chaney has been a bona fide savior for the Jags.

Sweeper Cristina Velasquez is a rock-solid performer who continually comes up clutch and has a knack for taking the ball away with timely tackles. Cristina is also known for her communication skills and helping to keep her team organized.

The versatile Zoey Morriesette not only knows where to be but is also capable of playing five or six positions. Another player who has exhibited great improvement, Morriesette reads the game well and has a great sense about her.

Outside midfielder and captain Hannah Schaner serves an invaluable role with her ability to seamlessly transition the ball from the defense up to the attack. Meanwhile, Jordan French is another captain who can handle both forward and midfielder duties and is esteemed for her admirable leadership qualities. 

And finally there is center back Sadie Watje, a genuine presence on the field who garners heavy minutes, can defend with aplomb and seems to always possess a clutch gene when needed.

Currently positioned in ninth-place in the 19-team Division I standings, the Jags are definitely playoff bound and could be an interesting team to watch once the postseason seedings and matchups are revealed and the games commence.

Can the Jags build on what they’ve already accomplished and turn this year into something even more memorable? Only time will tell but regardless, Fisher seems to have things very much under control. “The playoffs are a brand new season so we’ll refocus once we get there,” informs Fisher. “But our approach will stay the same, just concentrating on getting better whenever we practice or play.” 

So far that mindset has paid plenty of dividends. Perhaps even more are in store. 

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