The Stevenson University Mustangs will travel to take on the University of Mary Washington Eagles on Saturday, Sept. 28, in a highly anticipated field hockey matchup. The game is set for 1 p.m. at the Eagles’ home field in Fredericksburg, Virgina.
Stevenson (7-0-1) has been dominant this season with a goal differential of 28-3, outshooting opponents 115-38. The Mustangs, led by third-year head coach Morgan Bitting, will rely on the league’s leading scorer, Emma Gladstein, who has already netted eight goals in just 10 games.
Stevenson’s field hockey defense has been dominant this season, allowing just three goals in eight games. According to the team’s star defenseman Nicole Ziegler, following the game plan and focusing on keeping dangerous shots out of the circle have been key. The team has faced strong offensive opponents and is preparing for their upcoming game against UMW by improving their defensive transitions and maintaining a strong press.
“We’ve been working on our pressing presence, defending in layers and making sure nothing gets under our 25,” Ziegler said. “We attack in numbers and defend in numbers.”
When it comes to balancing defense and offense, the defenseman emphasized the importance of coming up with the ball and supporting the attack, taking a unified approach.
Despite a lack of personal stats, the defense remains critical to the team’s success, with much of the game being played on their end.
“We’ve been very well coached this year, and we will win as a team or lose as a team,” Ziegler said.
The Eagles, meanwhile, enter the game with a 6-2 record. The Eagles are known for their fast-paced transition play and aggressive attack. The Eagles seek to hand Stevenson its first loss of the year in what promises to be a closely contested game.
After Saturday’s matchup, Stevenson will return home to Owings Mills with a tough challenge on the horizon. On Oct. 5 against No. 2 Salisbury University. The Mustangs will look to maintain their momentum as they prepare for one of their biggest tests of the season.
