Lucik's team play impresses teammates
Patrick SillerThe field hockey team is 3-1 in its last four Mid-American Conference games, and a large part of the team's success is because of senior Amanda Lucik.
In that span, Lucik has four goals, including two game-winning scores against Miami and Ball State.
"She has been very good," said senior Samantha Sandham. "She is finally getting into the right place at the right time. She has been working hard and finding herself in front of the cage to chip some goals in."
Lucik was honored as the MAC Offensive Player of the Week award last week.
Lucik played in 13 games this season, starting in 12 of them.
Before the last four MAC games, Lucik had one goal and two assists. Now, she has five goals and three assists, giving her 13 points, ranking her second on the team behind Sandham.
"We have been working on my receiving a lot recently," Lucik said. "That way when I get to be at the right place at the right time I know where I am going with it and know what I need to do with it."
Some players don't react well to changing positions. This is not true of Lucik.
"I am more of a versatile player," she said. "Cristy (Freese) was able to mold me into the player that she wanted and was able to teach me things. I was very coachable and that is one of the things they liked about me. It is one of my attributes that is helpful for the team."
Against Ohio on Sunday, Lucik was given a defensive role. Freese moved Lucik to the right back position from her normal mid-field spot. However, Lucik doesn't feel that the position shift tied her down as a scorer.
"All I need to do is play," Lucik said. "I was in the offensive circle as much as I was in the defensive circle so I was all over the place. I will do anything to help this team win, whether it is on offense or defense."
Lucik started off the season a little slow this season. Sandham thinks that the slow start partly was due to an enlarged heart and lung diagnosis, which Lucik sustained last season that kept her out of the lineup all year.
"She missed last season and I think that was tough for her," Sandham said. "I think it has just taken her a little while to get used to being back on the field. Now she has adjusted to being one of our key starters."
Lucik will look to add to those numbers this weekend when the Chippewas head to Springfield, Mo., for a pair of contests against Missouri State.
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