2008 Woodie Awards
Field Hockey Team: 06' PSAC Champs
Undefeated Huskies head to NCAA Championships
Carly Dean
Issue date: 11/9/06 Section: sports
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Waiting for the whistle to blow, the Huskies stood in formation. Once during the cold night a gust of snow came from the sky, but the weather didn't inhibit the fans' wild excitement, and it certainly did not prevent BU from playing with the same intensity that they had displayed all season. The game began slowly as both teams unsuccessfully brought the ball up and down the field. Finally, ten minutes into the game, Ashley Heckard fired a shot into the cage. Even so, neither team yet appeared to dominate the field. Five minutes later, the Mountaineers answered back, ending the first half in a 1-1 tie.
The second half introduced a whole new game. Less than three minutes into the half, Jamie Vanartsdalen charged the goal with a pass from Maribeth Brozena. Bloomsburg's intensity heightened. Heckard took advantage of a terrific opportunity and pushed through Mansfield defense, sending the ball right past the goalkeeper. The score appeared solid enough to promise a win, but anything could happen. "During the first game in PSACs against Mansfield, we didn't play to our potential. Mansfield came out very physical, emotional, and intense. And we didn't. We were a little flat, however, we came together as a team in the second half and rose to their intensity and fought back," explains Ashley Heckard regarding the game. With three minutes remaining, the Mountaineers awoke, firing a shot past the Huskies. As the ball raced up and down the field, with a score of 3-2 and only a few minutes remaining, it was anyone's game. But as the clock continued to count down, the Huskies held strong and ended the game 3-2. They were ready for Shippensburg the next day.
The Huskies stepped onto the turf Saturday pumped up and ready to sink Ship once more. Both teams rushed the ball with more intensity then they had shown all season. Throughout the first half, Shippensburg and Bloomsburg both experienced significant trouble scoring a goal. Goalie Tracey Hudak impressively shut out the Raiders with numerous vital saves. BU dominated the field, but failed to aim the ball into the right spot for a goal. Coming into the second half, the Huskies refused to let the Raiders hold them back from winning the championship. Almost three minutes into the second half, Sam Kropa took the ball down the field on a breakaway.
After the ball was passed around the circle, Kelly Trevisan took control and sent the ball to Maggie Bloskey, who beat the goalkeeper and gave BU what would be the winning goal. "BUFH's play in the PSAC tournament was everything I expected it to be. Friday night our nerves were there of course, but we finally kicked it into high gear when we played that final game for the championship against Ship and came out on top. We were prepared for whatever Mansfield and Ship sent our way. It was our third time seeing each team so we knew what was in store. As the season comes to a close we just keep pushing and working even harder than ever before because now each game could be a very last." Comments senior Tracey Hudak on the overall play of the PSAC tournament.
As BU heads to Florida next week, they have been awarded the first seed in the South region at the NCAA Championships. Along with the top seed they will have with them seven players who have been honored to join the All-PSAC conference team. Jamie Vanartsdalen, Samantha Kropa, Chelsea Due, Maribeth Brozena, Tracey Hudak, and Venessa Witman were awarded first team, while Kelsey Kress made her mark on second team. Freshman Chelsea Due was also named the PSAC Rookie of the Year. The Huskies will play in Florida from November 16-18 for the national title.