Field Hockey advances to playoff for first time since 2001

Lose, Lose, Lose, Lose. The Franklin Pierce Field Hockey team lost 18 games last season. They lost 18 and only won once. 10 of their losses were by a deficit of 1 goal. It was one of the most devastating seasons in Franklin Pierce history. Current senior captain Kayleigh Jaksina could only describe the 2007 season as frustrating.

"People went into games thinking it didn't matter," said Jaskina. "It's like people thought we were going to lose."

So the Ravens made changes.

Head Coach Meighan Guiney did the only thing she could do: forget the past and rebuild. The Field Hockey team added 12 new freshmen this season and the whole team changed.

In the pre-season, the girls had rigorous workouts. They ran, and ran, and ran, until some of them cried. They sprinted, and worked themselves into the best-fit team in the Northeast 10 Conference. Their work ethic may have been the answer they needed.

They finished their regular season with a 7-12 record and advanced to the Northeast 10 Conference tournament for the first time since 2001.

The Ravens who finished last place in the conference in 2007, finished 6th place this season.

Jaskina and junior Ashley Abernathy were not surprised one bit about the turnaround this season.

"It's very satisfying," said Jaskina who was sixth on the team this season in scoring with 2 goals and 2 assists as a defender. "It's nice to see the turnaround."

Abernathy who leads the Ravens in points this season with 5 goals and 6 assists said, "Its almost like a surreal feeling. Last year we worked so hard for everything, and it seemed like we got nowhere, and this year we are working just as hard and we are doing so well."

One of the differences this year for the Ravens has been their team bonding. According to Abernathy, last year the team never hung out or stuck together off the field. "As a team we never ate together in the cafeteria. We could never get along."

This year the team sticks together off the field. They eat together in the cafeteria, they hang out on weekends, and they even watch movies together. To keep a strong bond, most of them live together too. They even climbed Mount Monadnock together in the preseason.

"I feel like anyone on the team can tell each other anything," said Jaskina.

This year's freshman class has also been a reason for their successful season. Freshman Danielle Dolan finished the season tied for a team-best in goals with five, winning Northeast 10 freshman of the week honors in early October. Her fellow classmate Kristin Tormollan started every game in net and had two shutouts and seven victories despite playing with a broken thumb.

"They're all a bunch of great players," said Jaskina about the freshman class."A lot of freshmen have trouble speaking up to upperclassmen, but our freshman know that we aren't going to be offended if they suggest something or give us advice on the field."

Abernathy said, "They've brought a lot of positive energy. They were not intimidated as the weeks went on. It's like they've always been a part of this team."

Jaskina makes sure everybody on the team feels comfortable. As the captain, she stays positive at every practice, just to erase the unsuccessful past from her team's heads.

"She brings upbeat energy," said Abernathy about Jaskina. "She is always upbeat and she's the only one smiling at 6 am practices."

The Ravens took their upbeat energy into the playoffs when they played Southern Connecticut in the Northeast 10 Conference playoffs on October 29, in their first post season game since 2001.

The night before the game Jaskina and Abernathy sat around their kitchen table with excitement. Anxious to play Southern Connecticut, a team they have always had trouble beating in Connecticut. Although the two girls had butterflies in their stomach before game time they felt confident. There was no pressure on them. They did the unthinkable by leading the field hockey team to 7-12 record.

"We have nothing to lose but we have so much to gain," said Abernathy.

The Ravens ended up losing to Southern Connecticut 6-3, ending their season.

"Just getting here is huge," the girls agreed with smiles on their faces. The two looked at each other with pure satisfaction.