With only two minutes remaining in the Homecoming Weekend field hockey game, senior Florence George, No. 9, scored a goal against Wesley College to bring the Eagles a 4-1 victory. Photo by Norm Shafer.
In 2003, Lindsey Elliott was a thorn in the side of the University of Mary Washington field hockey program. An All-American player, she led archrival Salisbury University to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and two national championships.
Until last year, Dana Hall had spent 22 years coaching UMW field hockey and lacrosse. When she moved to coaching lacrosse alone, Elliott was called to replace her as head of Eagles’ field hockey. Since then, the former rival has done nothing but succeed in Fredericksburg, leading the Eagles to a 15-5 record and top-15 national ranking a year ago, and raising the bar by starting this season with a school-record 11-game winning streak en route to a top-five ranking in the nation.
“I believe it was harder for others to accept that a former Salisbury player was going to be taking over, but they have been very accepting,” Elliott said. “I always knew Mary Washington was a great field hockey school, and now I have the pleasure of being a part of it.”
The program, already one of the University’s most successful, has thrived under Elliott. The Eagles have won six of eight games against nationally ranked opponents, including Lebanon Valley College and Lynchburg College, in each of the past two years.
Elliott attributes the success to the players. “They have been working really hard both in and out of season for the past year, and it has really paid off on the field and being ranked in the top 10 in the nation.”
Senior captain Florence George epitomizes the Eagles’ resiliency. After a successful freshman season in 2009, she missed the 2010 season because of a knee injury that occurred in preseason practice.
She not only returned last year, but gained all-region honors.
Senior captain Lisa Charney added another piece to the puzzle last summer. A two-year starter at Division I Appalachian State University, Charney immediately stepped into the lineup last fall and gained all-conference and all-region accolades.
The Eagles are also strong through the middle of the field, with senior goalkeeper Claire Gianelle anchoring a unit that includes freshman Haley Kane at center defender, Charney and all-region junior Caitlin Baker at midfield, and freshman Jenna Steele at center forward.
The team’s goals reach beyond the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC). Even before the regular season ended, Elliott’s confidence was high. “As long as the players continue to play with confidence…we should be in the running for the national championship.”
At press time, the Eagles had finished the season 16-1, cinching the top seed and a bye in the CAC tournament. For the latest news and updates, visit umweagles.com/ sports/fh.