FSU Field Hockey Falling Behind in CAC
Nearly halfway through the 2014 season, Frostburg State University’s field hockey team is 4-4 as the players prepare to face their rivals in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC).
At this point last season, the Bobcats had fallen to a mediocre 2-6 record. The team appears to have improved from the 2013 season in which they finished 7-13, placing sixth in the CAC. Despite the apparent improvement of the Bobcats, they still aren’t high in the standings.
At 4-4, they rank sixth in the conference. This is due in large part to the talent of the top three CAC teams: Salisbury (7-0), Mary Washington (7-1), and York (7-1). What sets those three teams above the rest of the CAC is having a dominant offense. The Salisbury Sea Gulls lead the conference with 50 goals. Mary Washington (45) and York (24) have the second and third most goals. The Bobcats, on the other hand, have scored 18 goals through eight games, which is tied for fourth.
CAC teams have only played out of conference games so far and have not played within the conference yet. FSU will have its first CAC game on October 4 against the last place St. Mary’s (Md). If the Bobcats are to make a playoff push this season, they will need to stack conference wins.
Leading the Bobcats in goals is junior forward Alexandra Darrow, who has netted nine goals on the season, ranking third in the CAC. Jackie Best, also a junior forward, comes in second with four goals scored, ranking 14th in the CAC. In 2013, Best finished second on the team in goals with eight. Darrow was right behind Best last season, finishing with seven goals. Becky Randel, last season’s goal leader, was lost due to graduation.
The team has a good mix of classes, though only one senior, Courtney Abell, is listed on the team roster. As the team’s six juniors continue to gain experience, the Bobcats could emerge from the depths of the CAC to make a playoff push. FSU needs to take the CAC by storm, however, if they have plans for the playoffs.
Featured picture of Darrow and Best is credited to FSU Athletics.
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