Field hockey senior has smooth transition
Senior Cortney Blanchard stepped up when her team called on her to make a change.
Blanchard played the forward position her entire career in college. But because of the loss of backs Kim Ferris and Laura Glaza to graduation, another veteran was needed.
Blanchard answered the call.
She said the position change was made easier when a new defensive system was installed.
“From the beginning we played a different system, so it’s been all new,” Blanchard said. “We’ve just kept growing in it.”
Coach Cristy Freese said the transition has been smooth.
“We really work on what her job is and what her role is and asking her to do what is within her strengths,” Freese said.
The defense allowed just two goals against Ball State in a 2-1 overtime loss and just one goal to Miami in a 1-0 loss.
“Defensively, we are getting stronger and working well together,” Blanchard said. “The way we are communicating has improved as the games go on.”
Young players have played big roles around Blanchard and senior back Erin Dottery.
Freshman Tara Schiltz and sophomore Allison Kist have played all 10 games this season.
Schiltz leads the team with eight defensive saves.
“Tara did a lot of things in high school to prepare for this,” Freese said. “She is a solid defender.”
Freese said her team has met the challenge of allowing seven or less penalty corner kicks per game. However, against the
No. 14 Hoosiers, the defense allowed 14 penalty corners, three of which came in overtime.
“There are things we still need to focus on,” Dottery said. “We’re working really hard to keep our stick down on the ground so we don’t cause a corner.”
