With the Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) championships in mind, the Stevenson University field hockey team is working harder than ever to secure a spot in the prestigious competition.

As the athletes are gearing up for practice, every player is preparing to give her all on the field. Coach Laurel Martin declared the team’s primary goal was “winning the MAC championships so they can get an NCAA bid.”

As of Oct. 18, the team is 4-9 overall and 1-4 in the conference. With conference losses to Messiah, Albright, Arcadia, and Alvernia, the team still has three conference games left in the 2016 season. Recent highlights include a 3-1 victory over McDaniel College on Oct. 11, a game that saw goals from freshman Tanner Ridgely, and sophomore Ashley Meyer, as well as senior Rosemarie Neiva. The team defeated Hood College on Oct. 19 by a final score of 7-0, and faces Widener on October 22 at 7 p.m.

Beginning with skill progression, which, according to Martin, is a “multifaceted collection of every skill one could use in the sport of field hockey,” the players continue to hone their basic techniques. The team then begins scrimmaging and other tactical activities in order to utilize their skills in a game-day setting. Martin said that the team has the chemistry that it takes to make it to the MAC Championship game, and that the team is just “a win or two away from gaining the confidence it takes to take it to the next level.”

Sophomore Alexis Young says that her favorite part about being a member of the field hockey team is definitely her teammates. Describing the team as “close-knit,” Young said that the team is currently working on taking their great communication off the field “onto the field at practices and games.”

The team’s hardworking, positive energy is obvious to spectators. Both Martin and Young encourage the Stevenson community to attend games and assist the players with securing wins by cheering on and supporting the team.

Martin describes the team’s attitude as “contagious,” and she continues to say that spectator support brings a “newfound energy” to the game atmosphere that the team can use as fuel to work toward their MAC goal, which is still in reach.

Martin believes the team’s potential is unlimited and anticipates the generally young team to continue “shooting higher and higher.”