Quite ‘Frank’ly
Senior goalkeeper Danielle Frank played her whole career without a true coach.
Field hockey coach Cristy Freese coached the goalkeepers prior to last season. But Freese wanted to bring in a goalkeepers coach this year because she thought it would benefit Frank.
And it has.
Molly Maloney, a graduate assistant at Kent State last season, was brought in. Maloney was goalkeeper at the University of Michigan where she was the starter for the 2001 National Championship team.
“Molly has meant so much to me,” Frank said. “Coach Freese could only take me so far because she wasn’t a goalie.”
Through the first seven games of the season, Frank has recorded 53 saves and given up 13 goals. It is good enough for sixth-best in Div. I with a save percentage of .803.
“I’ve been most impressed with her work ethic,” Maloney said. “That kid won’t quit. She keeps working hard and I love that about her.”
Frank is third among goalkeepers in the Mid-American Conference in saves and saves per game (7.57).
“She’s eager to learn, and that’s a quality to have as a senior,” Freese said. “She has an easy-going personality and an open mind to learn new things from Molly.”
Maloney has stressed keeping things simple and sticking to the basics when working with Frank.
Frank said Maloney has helped her with decision-making and organizing the defense.
It seems to be working.
“It’s huge not only to have a senior goalkeeper, but one with her experience,” Freese said. “I think she has developed into a top goalkeeper in the conference.”
Now as a veteran, Frank said she has become more of a leader.
“It’s easy to lead because I’ve had so many experiences,” Frank said. “I’ve always been vocal because that is part of being a goalie. I just try to answer questions.”
Freese said Frank always has been a good leader and is tough on players when she needs to be.
Freshmen Kahla Schwall and Melinda Curran and sophomore Sarah Mancuso are following the leadership of Frank.
“If we’re having a tough practice or a bad day, she’s always the one to pull the group back together,” Maloney said.
Learning to handle the emotional ups and downs that go along with being a goalkeeper is one of the biggest things Frank has been able to accomplish.
“I’ve learned never to get down on yourself to the point that you can’t play,” she said. “If you have the heart, it will carry you through.”
