By Aden Sievert<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The field hockey and women\u2019s soccer teams are wrapping up their preseason practices in preparation for the start of their respective seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carley Shannon is entering her third season as head coach of the field hockey team. Similarly, Molly Kovarik is entering her third season as head coach of the women\u2019s soccer team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Field Hockey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n During the 2021 season, the field hockey team ended with a record of 6-12. This was a step in the right direction for the program, as their last full season of competition in 2019 ended with the team sitting at 1-18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe first year we were here we were allowed to play four scrimmages that spring season, but it was kind of a whole year of development and building and that was, I think, why now we\u2019re going to be so successful, and why we have started really changing the program,\u201d Shannon said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The field hockey team brought in 10 freshmen and 14 returning players to their roster this fall. Considering nearly half the team is first-year college athletes, Shannon is very proud with how the new athletes handled the twice-a-day practices, as well as juggling freshman orientation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDuring preseason, freshman orientation is happening, you know the freshmen are having two practices a day\u2026 they\u2019re waking up at like 5 a.m. and then they\u2019re going to freshman orientation for the rest of the day, and they can barely find the time to sleep and eat, so I think that the freshmen balanced it very well,\u201d Shannon said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The field hockey team kicked off their season against McDaniel College on Sept. 1 at home, where they were shut out 4-0. Despite the loss, they\u2019re looking to find their first conference win in program history this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Women\u2019s soccer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Last season the women\u2019s soccer team ended with a record of 5-12-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This season, Kovarik said she wants the team to improve upon the inconsistencies of last year\u2019s season. While the team had a lot of key pieces last year, the team struggled to navigate between the highs and lows from game to game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have to learn to turn around if we have a tough loss and come back ready to go the next game,\u201d Kovarik said. \u201cI think with our returners and upperclassmen we\u2019re looking for a little bit more maturity, and seeing if we can start to navigate that and be a little bit more even-keeled in some of those high-pressure situations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kovarik is looking forward to the match against Stevenson University on Oct. 12 because of the history between the Mustangs and Hood\u2019s women\u2019s soccer program. Last season, Hood lost 2-1. Kovarik believes that, with the preparation done this offseason, they can swing that score in Hood\u2019s favor this fall.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"