Lehigh field hockey seniors: building a program
10/29/2013 10:22:00 AM | Field Hockey
Patience is a virtue.
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This commonly used phrase is certainly evident in athletics. Change usually doesn't happen overnight. Athletes and coaches want to win now, but it's a process that usually takes time.
Â
The Lehigh field hockey senior class of Erinn Bonshak, Marie Mignogna and Caitlyn Mitchell has helped the Mountain Hawks reach the doorstep of perennial success. They couldn't be more different in position, stature and personality, but each has played an integral role for the program.
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Despite its record, this season has been a major step forward. Just look at the results. The Mountain Hawks' largest defeat has been three goals, they've been shut-out only once and feature the Patriot League's leading scorer.
Â
"Our level of play is not even comparable to where it previously was," said Mitchell. "The girls coming in are so committed, dedicated and are such great athletes."
The trio will be honored on Saturday prior to their final game in the Brown and White.
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"We finished our freshman season and collectively decided we wanted to leave the program in a better place than when we came in," said Mignogna. "We believe in ourselves, we believe in each other's talents, work ethics and abilities, and we trust each other. When we're on the field and we're losing games by one or two, it doesn't feel the same as it did in years past."
Â
That belief has been on display all season, with the Mountain Hawks coming back from several deficits using a never-give-up attitude.
Â
"Despite our recent recruits who have so much more talent, I think the even bigger aspect of our improved play is believing in ourselves," said Mignogna.
Â
For the many close calls this season, there's no better example of the team's progress than its 2-1 win over Lock Haven on Oct. 13. The Bald Eagles are a perennial force in collegiate field hockey, making the 2009 NCAA Tournament before advancing to the Atlantic 10 Championship Game in 2010, their first year in the conference.
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Lock Haven had entered the game with a 10-3 record, two of the losses coming to nationally-ranked North Carolina and Penn State. Lehigh defeated Lock Haven by the same 2-1 score as No. 2 ranked UNC.
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The senior class played a significant role in the victory as Mitchell evened the score just 3:54 after Lock Haven took a 1-0 lead.
Â
"This senior class really loves Lehigh field hockey," said head coach Stacey Blue. "All have been on board with the direction of the program and truly care about this team so much. They have really helped change LUFH into a competitive program. They wear their heart on their sleeve and always want the team to reach its full potential."
Â
For as important as record can be, sometimes there are more important things for a program than solely final score. Watch a game and you see the progress the Mountain Hawks have made.
Â
"It's frustrating because over the last four years, our record hasn't reflected the hard work we've put in," said Bonshak. "From last year to this year, the improvement is ten-fold. We really have dedicated players who take the time out of their day to play the extra hour on the field, learn the extra skill and utilize the extra film session."
Â
Each one of the seniors has left a different mark on the program.
Â
A four-year starter, two-year captain and 2011 All-Patriot League honoree, Mignogna has spearheaded the defense.
"I was so impressed with Marie on her recruiting visit," said Blue. "She told us when she puts her mind to it, she can achieve anything and will do whatever is best for the team."
Â
While Mignogna has led the defense, Mitchell has impressed offensively, posting six goals and three assists in her career entering Saturday's Senior Day. That includes 10 points this season behind four goals and two assists.
Â
"Caitey had a breakout spring and it's carried into her final year," said Blue. "Caitey has an incredible shot and is always pushing her teammates to do their best. She has taken a real leadership role this year."
Â
A walk-on, Bonshak has persevered through several injuries to serve as an influential leadership figure.
Â
"Erinn is such a role model," said Blue. "She perseveres through her injuries and is always looking out for LUFH. She is a selfless player who takes care of everyone on the team. I think it says a lot about someone's character when they cannot participate on the field, but they are the first at practice and the last one to leave."
Â
"I'm that teammate who can give advice, but not to the level that it's in an authoritative type of way," said Bonshak. "We all complement each other because on and off the field, we do different things and collectively, we all mesh well together."
Â
The trio has enjoyed its fair share of memorable moments in their time at Lehigh.
Â
One standout was a 1-0 home shutout over Bucknell their sophomore year which helped them earn the No. 3 seed in the Patriot League Tournament.
Â
There are just as many memories off the playing field as well.
Â
"At first, you almost dread the weekends when you have to stay over in hotels, but it always turns out to be a lot of fun," said Mignogna. "It's a great way for our team to grow so much closer."
Â
"One of our traditions is a Halloween practice when we like to dress up in costumes," said Bonshak. "One of my favorite memories from last year is Caitlin Bryan dressed up as Ron Weasley from Harry Potter. She ran around in her little Harry Potter costume. It was a great memory."
Â
The three seniors have become extremely close in their time in the Brown and White. A combination of the three has lived together every year. Mignogna and Mitchell roomed as freshmen, Mitchell and Bonshak as sophomores and all three have lived together the past two years.
Â
There's not only a family feel between the senior class, but also the team and university as a whole.
Â
"When I visited, I felt like I was part of the family already," said Mignogna. "We're so close. I definitely made the right decision [to come to Lehigh]."
Â
Bonshak takes it a step further. She has family connections to Lehigh, including her brother Matt who's currently a freshman on the baseball team. Being a local product, Erinn appreciates Lehigh's impact on the community.
Â
"Lehigh is part of a big tradition," said Bonshak. "It's important that Lehigh helps the community and the people around us. I don't think people really realize the influence we have on everybody else."
These three have left the program in good hands, leading a young squad this season through its ups and downs, but it's been a learning process. The Mountain Hawks have a bright future with a core base of talented returnees. Freshman Marissa Glatt leads the Patriot League in goals (12) and points (25), classmate Gabby Tofig is second on the team with 11 points (four goals, three assists) and freshman goalie Julia Ward has impressed with a .754 save percentage. That's just the beginning; several other underclassmen have made their mark early in their collegiate careers.
Â
Not only have these seniors excelled in their on-field roles, but also as leaders, as scholars and as people.
Â
Bonshak is a Civil Engineering major who hopes to work in a small firm while Mignogna is an English major and Business minor looking to go into public relations and advertising. Mitchell is a Social Psychology major looking towards nursing school or use her degree to get a job in the health care field.
Â
"Next year, when we come back to games and go on the website, I know we're going to see wins in games we were close this year," said Mitchell. "I'm confident in the underclassmen and I think the program is really blossoming. Good things are to come."
Â
For as excited as everyone is for the future, the focus heading into Saturday should be on these three seniors who have put their blood, sweat and tears into Lehigh field hockey.
Â
"Erinn, Marie and Caitey are brilliant woman who work extremely hard in and out of the classroom," said Blue. "I am excited for what their future holds and I am very proud to have coached them."
Â
"I want us to be remembered as a turning point in the program's success," said Mignogna. "We came in and worked really hard to change things. We didn't do it completely, but we made strides to set the stage for future classes.
Â
"From here on out, it's just going to get better. It's just going up from here. I would like to think we were the fire for that change."
Â
This commonly used phrase is certainly evident in athletics. Change usually doesn't happen overnight. Athletes and coaches want to win now, but it's a process that usually takes time.
Â
The Lehigh field hockey senior class of Erinn Bonshak, Marie Mignogna and Caitlyn Mitchell has helped the Mountain Hawks reach the doorstep of perennial success. They couldn't be more different in position, stature and personality, but each has played an integral role for the program.
Â
Despite its record, this season has been a major step forward. Just look at the results. The Mountain Hawks' largest defeat has been three goals, they've been shut-out only once and feature the Patriot League's leading scorer.
Â
"Our level of play is not even comparable to where it previously was," said Mitchell. "The girls coming in are so committed, dedicated and are such great athletes."
The trio will be honored on Saturday prior to their final game in the Brown and White.
Â
"We finished our freshman season and collectively decided we wanted to leave the program in a better place than when we came in," said Mignogna. "We believe in ourselves, we believe in each other's talents, work ethics and abilities, and we trust each other. When we're on the field and we're losing games by one or two, it doesn't feel the same as it did in years past."
Â
That belief has been on display all season, with the Mountain Hawks coming back from several deficits using a never-give-up attitude.
Â
"Despite our recent recruits who have so much more talent, I think the even bigger aspect of our improved play is believing in ourselves," said Mignogna.
Â
For the many close calls this season, there's no better example of the team's progress than its 2-1 win over Lock Haven on Oct. 13. The Bald Eagles are a perennial force in collegiate field hockey, making the 2009 NCAA Tournament before advancing to the Atlantic 10 Championship Game in 2010, their first year in the conference.
Â
Lock Haven had entered the game with a 10-3 record, two of the losses coming to nationally-ranked North Carolina and Penn State. Lehigh defeated Lock Haven by the same 2-1 score as No. 2 ranked UNC.
Â
The senior class played a significant role in the victory as Mitchell evened the score just 3:54 after Lock Haven took a 1-0 lead.
Â
"This senior class really loves Lehigh field hockey," said head coach Stacey Blue. "All have been on board with the direction of the program and truly care about this team so much. They have really helped change LUFH into a competitive program. They wear their heart on their sleeve and always want the team to reach its full potential."
Â
For as important as record can be, sometimes there are more important things for a program than solely final score. Watch a game and you see the progress the Mountain Hawks have made.
Â
"It's frustrating because over the last four years, our record hasn't reflected the hard work we've put in," said Bonshak. "From last year to this year, the improvement is ten-fold. We really have dedicated players who take the time out of their day to play the extra hour on the field, learn the extra skill and utilize the extra film session."
Â
Each one of the seniors has left a different mark on the program.
Â
A four-year starter, two-year captain and 2011 All-Patriot League honoree, Mignogna has spearheaded the defense.
"I was so impressed with Marie on her recruiting visit," said Blue. "She told us when she puts her mind to it, she can achieve anything and will do whatever is best for the team."
Â
While Mignogna has led the defense, Mitchell has impressed offensively, posting six goals and three assists in her career entering Saturday's Senior Day. That includes 10 points this season behind four goals and two assists.
Â
"Caitey had a breakout spring and it's carried into her final year," said Blue. "Caitey has an incredible shot and is always pushing her teammates to do their best. She has taken a real leadership role this year."
Â
A walk-on, Bonshak has persevered through several injuries to serve as an influential leadership figure.
Â
"Erinn is such a role model," said Blue. "She perseveres through her injuries and is always looking out for LUFH. She is a selfless player who takes care of everyone on the team. I think it says a lot about someone's character when they cannot participate on the field, but they are the first at practice and the last one to leave."
Â
"I'm that teammate who can give advice, but not to the level that it's in an authoritative type of way," said Bonshak. "We all complement each other because on and off the field, we do different things and collectively, we all mesh well together."
Â
The trio has enjoyed its fair share of memorable moments in their time at Lehigh.
Â
One standout was a 1-0 home shutout over Bucknell their sophomore year which helped them earn the No. 3 seed in the Patriot League Tournament.
Â
There are just as many memories off the playing field as well.
Â
"At first, you almost dread the weekends when you have to stay over in hotels, but it always turns out to be a lot of fun," said Mignogna. "It's a great way for our team to grow so much closer."
Â
"One of our traditions is a Halloween practice when we like to dress up in costumes," said Bonshak. "One of my favorite memories from last year is Caitlin Bryan dressed up as Ron Weasley from Harry Potter. She ran around in her little Harry Potter costume. It was a great memory."
Â
The three seniors have become extremely close in their time in the Brown and White. A combination of the three has lived together every year. Mignogna and Mitchell roomed as freshmen, Mitchell and Bonshak as sophomores and all three have lived together the past two years.
Â
There's not only a family feel between the senior class, but also the team and university as a whole.
Â
"When I visited, I felt like I was part of the family already," said Mignogna. "We're so close. I definitely made the right decision [to come to Lehigh]."
Â
Bonshak takes it a step further. She has family connections to Lehigh, including her brother Matt who's currently a freshman on the baseball team. Being a local product, Erinn appreciates Lehigh's impact on the community.
Â
"Lehigh is part of a big tradition," said Bonshak. "It's important that Lehigh helps the community and the people around us. I don't think people really realize the influence we have on everybody else."
These three have left the program in good hands, leading a young squad this season through its ups and downs, but it's been a learning process. The Mountain Hawks have a bright future with a core base of talented returnees. Freshman Marissa Glatt leads the Patriot League in goals (12) and points (25), classmate Gabby Tofig is second on the team with 11 points (four goals, three assists) and freshman goalie Julia Ward has impressed with a .754 save percentage. That's just the beginning; several other underclassmen have made their mark early in their collegiate careers.
Â
Not only have these seniors excelled in their on-field roles, but also as leaders, as scholars and as people.
Â
Bonshak is a Civil Engineering major who hopes to work in a small firm while Mignogna is an English major and Business minor looking to go into public relations and advertising. Mitchell is a Social Psychology major looking towards nursing school or use her degree to get a job in the health care field.
Â
"Next year, when we come back to games and go on the website, I know we're going to see wins in games we were close this year," said Mitchell. "I'm confident in the underclassmen and I think the program is really blossoming. Good things are to come."
Â
For as excited as everyone is for the future, the focus heading into Saturday should be on these three seniors who have put their blood, sweat and tears into Lehigh field hockey.
Â
"Erinn, Marie and Caitey are brilliant woman who work extremely hard in and out of the classroom," said Blue. "I am excited for what their future holds and I am very proud to have coached them."
Â
"I want us to be remembered as a turning point in the program's success," said Mignogna. "We came in and worked really hard to change things. We didn't do it completely, but we made strides to set the stage for future classes.
Â
"From here on out, it's just going to get better. It's just going up from here. I would like to think we were the fire for that change."
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