Sandham moving up field hockey record list
Brian ManzulloSamantha Sandham's first collegiate hat trick Sunday against Colgate put her among CMU field hockey's best.
The senior tied Helen Epple for eighth place on CMU's all-time scoring list at 27 points and tied Kari Labeta for 10th place with 27 goals.
With an assist, Sandham also tied Cathy Gibson for fourth place all-time with 26, placing her one assist away from tying the record with 27, shared by Labeta, Tracey Lefever and April Hammer.
"Obviously, it felt great," Sandham said after the team's 7-1 win over Colgate, its first win of the season. "I mean, it is always fun to score goals, but as a team, we just really stepped up."
A big game did not come as much of a surprise to coach Cristy Freese - she said Sandham is a crucial part of her team's offense.
"(Moyra Betuzzi) and Sam are the keys to our offense, and you really saw that on Sunday," she said. "We saw how their game is heads above the others on the types of goals that they are able to score and the way they help our offense."
The performance catapulted Sandham into first place on the team in goals (4) and points (9) and also earned her Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
Sandham has reputation from players and coaches as a humble player. Freese said being humble is important, but also that offensive player of the week honors is a big achievement.
"I think it is a big honor - she should be honored - but I like her humble attitude," Freese said. "When you are one of the top players on the team and in the conference, being humble is important and she understands how all her teammates contribute."
Sandham's breakout season came in 2006 when she finished tied for first in the MAC with 14 goals and second in points with 35. Last season, she finished first in the MAC with 10 assists.
After watching Sandham play four games thus far, Freese said there is a possibility she can top her 2006 numbers.
"When you talk about a person with her ability, 14 or 16 goals is certainly within reach," she said. "Mainly because of how she fits into our offense and the number of shots she takes per game those are realistic goals for her."
Sandham also thinks that she could have a better season than last year.
"I hope I improve," she said. "Every year, you go into the season hoping that you will."
Freese had the opportunity to coach both Sandham and Labeta in her 23 years as head coach and can see some similarities in the two players.
"They are a little different style. Kari was a taller player and had a good shot just like Sam, but I think Sam has better offensive skills," she said. "What makes them similar was their ability to read the defenses."
Freese and Sandham hope that the hat trick and the big win will help the team get on the winning track.
"It was a big win and it hopefully propels us into this weekend, where we are playing two quality opponents in Iowa and Boston University," Freese said.
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