Focusing on the Process

After winning the Big Ten championship last year, Michigan State’s field hockey team is looking to get back to where they left off.

When their season ended in early November, the team was given a two-month break and then it was back to work.

Despite losing five seniors to graduation, head coach Helen Knull is pleased with what she has seen from her team so far.

“We lost some solid players, but we also have seven seniors this year and nine freshman coming in, and five of them redshirted last year,” Knull said. “The effort has been there everyday.”

Coming off her third season as head coach, Knull is looking to add to her success from last season. This past weekend, MSU hosted Central Michigan at Ralph Young Field for a spring season exhibition game and came away with a 2-1 victory.

Becky Stiles and Claire Johnson scored for the Spartans but winning was not the main focus according to Knull.

“Obviously everyone wants to win and have the ‘W’ at the end of the day, but you really have to sit back and focus on the process.”

Every player on the roster received playing time in Sunday’s contest which will only help for when the regular season starts.

“I think for us we’re creating depth on the squad and the only time we can do that is in the spring,” Knull said. “We’re building chemistry and we want to see players stepping up. So for me it’s big to get all our kids in and get them experience because nothing prepares you better than playing.”

The score sheet may have been in favor of the Spartans, but the development in spring play is more important.

“At the end of the day we’re focusing on the process,” Knull said.


David Defever is the host of Behind the Mask for Impact Sports.

Photo: David Defever/Impact Sports