Field Hockey's Quiet Dignity

It doesn’t boast the speed of ice hockey, nor does it possess the rugged physical game of rugby; it can’t claim the finesse of soccer, or the strategy of baseball. For that matter, field hockey can’t even claim to have the chaos of dodge- ball. Why would anyone ever want to watch this sport, let alone play it?

“It’s intense,” says Vicki MacLeod, a first year. “It requires a lot of skill, and even though there are a lot of whistles, it adds to the build up of the game.”

She smiles shyly, and apologizes for not being able to give a good interview. “I need some help, I think,” she laughs.

MacLeod represents exactly what field hockey is at UPEL. It is a quiet sport, one not prone to massive publicity or huge crowds, but at the same time, not requiring the atten- tion of the masses in order to func- tion properly. Field hockey does not need a large crowd to keep the play- ers pumped for the duration of the game in the same way other sports do — cheerleaders, banners, and air horns come to mind — because the players function as a microcosmic

http://www.visionhosting.nl/

crowd themselves, with communi- cation and support being a crucial elements for a winning team.

“We constantly work to improve it,” says MacLeod. “But the team definitely shows a lot of unity.”

In fact, MacLeod says, the team is very driven, all with the same goal in mind — to be all they can be, US Army style. In a split between rook- ies and veterans, the team has a good balance, with a lot of experi- ence coming from girls who have played in high school and even as far back as junior high in some cases.

The team currently sits at 2-2-0, going 0-2-0 in league play. It defi- nitely is hard, elaborates MacLeod, when there is only one other team in the league.

She smiles. “But hey, the team we beat — they had guys playing.”

Don’t expect me to try out.

Baskethall seasons start anew

It’s nearing the end of October, and for basketball fans that means the beginning of the new season. The NBA begins its exhibition games tonight, with the marquee matchups being the homegrown Raptors facing off against the 76'ers, while the} new look Heat take on th McGrady-less Magic. The forme showcasing an oft-broody Vinc Carter trying to lead his team out} of the basement against aj reformed 76'ers, while the Heat} look to improve with their off-| season acquisition, the Big} Aristotle, Shaquille O’Neal.

Closer to home, the UPEI women’s panthers have already started their pre-season schedule, pounding the Champlain St. Lawrence Tigers 100-31. The Panthers’ twin towers, Lindsey Coade and Katherine Walters,§ combined for 38 points and 22

boards, while Coade had a game

high 21 points, 17 rebounds. Melissa Campbell chipped in 21 points, while pick-pocketing 5 steals in the first game of exhibition play. The men have not played thus far, but are in Acadia this weekend playing in the kickoff tournament. While losing several key members since last year, such as Kenny Duncan, their leading scorer, and Jeff Walker, they hope that the veteran members of last year’s squad, such as Tyler Wood, Doug McKinney and Sherone Edwards can lead the 5 rookies on the roster this year to another playoff appearance.

http://espn.go.com

Www. upeipanthers.com Check out www.upeipanthers.com for news, scores, and schedules.

UPEI Cadre October 19, 2004 page 15