Flying under the radar: Field hockey embracing underdog role
VCU field hockey head coach Kelly McQuade has a chip on her shoulder, and she’s not afraid to admit it.
Adam Stern
Sports Editor
VCU field hockey head coach Kelly McQuade has a chip on her shoulder, and she’s not afraid to admit it.
McQuade — in her fourth year in the role after being elevated from an assistant coach — doesn’t shy away from the underdog role that’s been placed on the program since she took over (the team finished eighth last season and were picked to finish seventh this season in the preseason) in 2007. To the contrary, she’s learned to embrace it.
“When the rankings came out for the CAA, I just kind of laughed it off because we’ve kind of been pushed under the rug for the last couple of years,” McQuade said. “But I think it’s kind of fun because we’ll be the sleeper team.”
If they keep playing like they have, though, they won’t be under opposing teams’ radars much longer: The Lady Rams have opened the season 7-3 overall; they’re in the midst of a four-game winning streak, and they opened up conference play with a pair of wins for the first time in school history.
Indeed the squad has been on such a surge that even nationwide pollsters have taken notice. Womensfieldhockey.com has VCU ranked 17th in their latest poll; Fieldhockeycorner.com has them ranked 22nd and the most respected and used poll, the National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll, has the team ranked 26th.
Such accomplishments are not to be understated for a team that finished eighth last season and won only one conference game. Win streaks and rankings put aside, however, McQuade did acknowledge she still feels the need to succeed.
“Personally, yes, I feel like there’s a lot I need to prove,” McQuade said. “For me, it’s a constant battle; I just want these girls to do so well.”
They’ve done so thus far, and will look to continue their winning ways — the team has won seven of their last eight and hasn’t lost since late August when they fell to No. 11 Boston University — this weekend against Hofstra and No. 18 Drexel.
Drexel, who last year won their first regular season conference crown in school history, are predicted to finish first again in the conference this season. They also feature the league’s most premium player, senior forward Christina Mastropaolo.
Mastropaolo — the CAA’s preseason Player of the Year — broke an astounding four school records in one game last week, one of which being her five goals scored in the Dragon’s 5-2 victory over Hofstra. She’s also now moved into the top five in points scored all time by active players nationwide with 125.
“With the players Drexel has, very scrappy very quick players; our point of attack has to be breaking down the play before it gets into the circle,” McQuade said. “They’re quick, they’re skilled, but so are we, so it will be a very fun matchup.”
The distinctions aren’t left just to Drexel, though. The Lady Rams feature plenty of players who fill up the statistics column, including senior midfielder Marle van Dessel (Oisterwijk, The Netherlands/ Odulphus Lyceum), who is on the top 25 nationwide active leaders list in goals scored with 29.
If the Rams can continue their hot streak this weekend, they stand a quality chance of making the CAA Tournament in November. And if they achieve that goal, maybe they’ll begin earning more respect from observers conference-wide. If not though, don’t expect McQuade to become discouraged, for her glass is seemingly always half-full.
“I’m ok with being viewed lower then we really are,” McQuade said. “It’s been fun.”
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