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EWING – It’s not often the College’s field hockey team steps onto the field and isn’t the best team present.
The Lions, when led by legendary coach Sharon Pfluger, are a perennial powerhouse in Division III. Since Pfluger began coaching in 1985, the Lions have won nine national championships and have made runs in each of the last three NCAA Tournaments, including a title in 2014.
But on Saturday, Messiah College will step onto the turf at Lions Stadium ranked No. 1 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s Division III rankings. The Falcons are the defending national champions, and once again this year’s favorites, according to 45 of the 52 NFHCA voters.
While the Falcons aren’t a New Jersey Athletic Conference opponent, it’s hard to discount the importance they routinely play in the Lions’ quest for a title.
Last year, Messiah defeated TCNJ 4-2, en route to a National Championship. In 2015, the Lions won the matchup twice, including once in the the 2015 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Regional Championship. If the Lions want to make another deep run this year, beating Messiah will be a crucial step.
“We like to look at every game with equal importance but I think we’re all really hyped up for this game in particular,” said senior goalkeeper Christina Fabiano.”Given the season they had last year, we’re really excited to show that we can compete with the best.”
When facing one of the only teams with a strong chance to defeat them, the Lions are now forced to prepare as underdogs — a seemingly unfamiliar feeling.
“We haven’t changed much when it comes to practicing,” Fabiano said. “We sat down as a team and talked about what we needed to improve on from when we played them last year, and then practiced those things on the field the following day. Just breaking the game down helps us decide what strategies will and won’t work on a team as skilled as Messiah.”
When preparing for top ranked teams, Pfluger’s leadership is a powerful tool.
“Coach has been in this position time and time again, so she’s as prepared as a coach can possibly be,” Fabiano said. “It’s a great experience playing for someone who knows the magnitude of the game, but also wants us to play relaxed and have fun.”
Aside from Pfluger’s presence as an institution in the College’s athletics, the Lions have a few new faces to combat their recent rivals. Freshman Tori Tiefenthaler is currently third in the country in scoring with six goals. And while Fabiano started 12 games last season, she didn’t start against Messiah — a crucial difference, given a goalie’s impact on the defense.
Losing the match won’t be a major roadblock for either team, but beating the defending champs, especially Messiah, will help prove last year’s stumbles have no bearing on this year.
Since Messiah, especially, has been the team to test NCAA Tournament contenders in recent years, a win here could also solidify the Lions’ claim to a top ranking going forward.
Unlike the usual shutout or comfortable win, field hockey games between top-ranked teams can be a wild ride until the final minutes. One wrong step, or a few feet could be difference between a win and a loss.
“It’s truly anyone’s game,” Fabiano said. “When it comes to top-ranked teams competing, anything can happen on any given day.”
But Pfluger knows that better than anyone, and that’s why the College has continued to succeed under her leadership. It doesn’t matter how many coaches think you’re the best team in the nation: The Lions will prepare the same, albeit with some added nerves, and be ready to push your team to the bitter end.