By Chrissy Segrest
Elm Staff Writer
Heading into their Centennial Conference opener at Roy Kirby, Jr Stadium, the Washington College Field Hockey team took on the Gettysburg College Bullets.
Going into overtime, the Shorewomen fell 2-1 to the Bullets, Saturday Sept. 21. This year is the 50-year anniversary that WC has had a field hockey program, marking it “the golden year.”
The game started off slow, with no one scoring until the bottom of the first quarter. With only 1:27 remaining in the fourth, the Bullets jumped onto the scoreboard with a shot from a penalty corner.
Junior Kayla Zapcic had to make back-to-back saves in just over 11 minutes in the second quarter, to keep the score incredibly tight.
In the third quarter, with 10:26 left, junior Grace Steele had a penalty corner, where she was able to send the ball to senior Jessie Willey. Willey was able to send the ball to the back of the net, evening the score before the end of the third quarter.
Junior Kailyn Brandt, who believes loss helps build adversity, gave some insight on the team.
“We have a young team with some fresh talent along with an experienced returning class who understand the importance of a win against this opponent. We were eager to put our skills to the test and thought that as long as we came out with intensity and played our game it would certainly have been a competition to watch,” she said.
In the second minute of overtime, Zapcic made yet another set of back-to-back saves to keep their hopes of taking down the Bullets for the second time in three years alive. Brandt was given a chance to notch the tally in the win column on a breakaway, but the Gettysburg goaltender cleared the ball out before she could seal the deal.
The game winner from GC came with 6:16 to go, when a penalty corner was called and taken.
Willey had one goal on the day, while Steele was awarded one assist. Zapcic, who was named the Goose Nation TV Shorewoman Player of the Game, had 15 saves on the day, only allowing two goals. After today, she has 39 saves on the season, already 14 more than last.
Senior team captain Kylie Weiss believes losses are just as important as the wins.
“I think these games have lit a fire under us and really increased our intensity at practice this past week. A close game like today’s is only going to make us work harder, because we know we are there, and are more than capable, of competing in the conference,” she said.
Brandt reflected on the significance of 50 years of field hockey at WC.
“The 50th anniversary of field hockey has huge significance this season. It is a testament to where we’ve been, where we’re going, and what we have accomplished as a program.” Brandt said. “We are incredibly proud to be a part of such an amazing family of players, coaches, alumni and fans who all share the same passion for the game.”