Lehigh Field Hockey Senior Tribute
10/13/2011 11:56:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh field hockey senior class has certainly made its mark on the program, both on and off the field, leading the Mountain Hawks to a 2009 Patriot League Tournament berth with aspirations of advancing once again this season. The four have shined in the classroom as well, accumulating an impressive average GPA of 3.58. With Senior Day set for Saturday, Lehighsports.com caught up with the four seniors to get some thoughts on their careers in the Brown & White.
Caitlin Donnelly - Forward - Bethlehem, Pa. - Global Studies
A local product, Donnelly has enjoyed a stellar career for the Mountain Hawks, highlighted by her junior campaign when she was named a First Team All-Patriot League honoree. As a senior, she's scored four goals thus far and helped put Lehigh in prime Patriot League Tournament contention. The Liberty High School graduate made an impact from day one, playing in 16 games as a freshman, starting six times, while scoring a goal. She added another goal as a sophomore which led into her breakout junior campaign. Her breakout game came against Saint Joseph's when she netted her first-career hat trick before later adding her second multi-goal game at La Salle. Donnelly has come up big when it's mattered most, scoring the game-tying goal in the season opener against Georgetown while netting the go-ahead tally on Sunday against Cornell. For her career, she owns 28 points behind 13 goals and two assists, but her impact goes far beyond the numbers. She has also impressed in the classroom, earning a spot on the inaugural Academic All-Patriot League Team a year ago.
Lehighsports.com: What's your favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory up until this point?
CD: I think it would be last year's game against Saint Joe's when I scored a hat trick. Up until that point, I had only scored a few times and it seemed to all come together in that game. It just felt like I was really doing my job as a forward.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
CD: I think we know each other really well. I know what to expect as far as what their points of view would be for something, why they feel that way and what their reactions will be. It's comforting to get to a level where you can predict behavior like that because it makes it really easy on the field to know what they'll do and what's motivating them.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
CD: Absolute shock and disbelief. Where did the season go? Scratch that, where did the last four years go? I am so in love with the sport, the team and being a student-athlete that I have no idea what I will do with myself after it's over.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
CD: I would say I'll miss the team, but I hope that's not over with this season! After that, I think I'll mostly miss constantly pushing my physical limits. When else am I ever going to be in this kind of shape? And I'll miss the game so much, but once again, hoping that doesn't end either. I want to join a club league or something after college.
What are your postgraduate plans?
CD: I want to work in NYC in a marketing agency.
Madison Ingal - Midfielder - Basking Ridge, N.J. - English
Ingal made her name known from the get-go, scoring three goals as a freshman including two against Bryant to earn her Patriot League Rookie of the Week in only her second week of collegiate action. She later went on to post five points in 17 games as a sophomore (15 starts), then break out with a career-high 13 points as a junior behind six goals and an assist. Ingal has made her impact at all areas of the field, and in the classroom, being named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll in each of the past two seasons. As a senior, she has scored a pair of goals, including Lehigh's first goal of the season against Georgetown, then what proved to be the game-winner vs. Siena. She also impressed in the 2009 Patriot League Tournament, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
Lehighsports.com: What's your favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory up until this point?
MI: My favorite Lehigh memory was putting on a skit my freshman year in front of all the older girls. Our skit was intended to "poke fun" at the seniors and I think it definitely brought us closer with everyone.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MI: We went through a lot our first three years at Lehigh, but it has definitely made us closer and stronger as a group. What's great about being a small group is that making decisions together is easier and we each have a different role on the team.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
MI: I cannot believe this day is here! I remember my freshman year making posters for the seniors and now, all of the younger girls will be doing this for me. It is scary thinking about how fast time has gone, but I am so thankful for the coaches that I've had who have constantly believed in me and helped me mature throughout the years.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
MI: Hanging out with the girls on my team. We have a great bond, on and off the field, and I know that our bond will stay the same even if I'm not there every day with them.
What are your postgraduate plans?
MI: Well, I had an amazing summer at Liz Claiborne Inc. so I am thinking of applying there for a full time position. Fingers crossed!
Allison Kowalski - Forward/Midfielder - Luzerne, Pa. - Global Studies
MI: My favorite Lehigh memory was putting on a skit my freshman year in front of all the older girls. Our skit was intended to "poke fun" at the seniors and I think it definitely brought us closer with everyone.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MI: We went through a lot our first three years at Lehigh, but it has definitely made us closer and stronger as a group. What's great about being a small group is that making decisions together is easier and we each have a different role on the team.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
MI: I cannot believe this day is here! I remember my freshman year making posters for the seniors and now, all of the younger girls will be doing this for me. It is scary thinking about how fast time has gone, but I am so thankful for the coaches that I've had who have constantly believed in me and helped me mature throughout the years.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
MI: Hanging out with the girls on my team. We have a great bond, on and off the field, and I know that our bond will stay the same even if I'm not there every day with them.
What are your postgraduate plans?
MI: Well, I had an amazing summer at Liz Claiborne Inc. so I am thinking of applying there for a full time position. Fingers crossed!
Allison Kowalski - Forward/Midfielder - Luzerne, Pa. - Global Studies
Despite struggling with injuries throughout her career, Kowalski has certainly made her impact on the Lehigh field hockey program. She got into one game as a freshman, but has since continued to serve as a strong mentor for the younger players. She is a tremendous asset to the program as a natural leader. She always puts the team before herself and is an unbelievable role model for all student-athletes.
Lehighsports.com: What's your favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory up until this point?
AK: My favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memories would have to include all the times we had fun off the field. The numerous LUFH talent shows, dress up bowling outings, karaoke contests and dance parties were a great way to relax and have fun outside of practice. I can't think of those times and not laugh. I am definitely going to miss it.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AK: Each senior has a completely different personality, but I think we are able to successfully work together since we have similar team goals. Our senior class is lucky in the fact that we had three years with Coach Blue. She was at Lehigh as an assistant coach for our freshman and sophomore years and thankfully, she came back as head coach for our senior year.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AK: I cannot believe how quickly these years have gone by. It seems like just yesterday, I was a nervous freshman going into preseason. When I was a freshman, the seniors seemed so old and I can't believe that I am at that point now. These past years have had their ups and downs, but I had a great time at Lehigh.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
AK: I will definitely miss the team the most. It's great to be around such an awesome group of girls almost every day.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AK: I will be working at Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley where I interned this past summer
Abby Tilton - Forward - Franklin, N.J. - IDEAS (Integrated Degree in Engineering Arts and Sciences)
Tilton broke out as a junior to score three goals and has continued that momentum into a stellar senior season. Already in 2011, she has scored four goals while adding a team-high five assists for 13 points. Her highlight game came earlier this season against La Salle when she scored two goals, including the overtime game-winner, to down the Explorers, 4-3. Tilton also added an assist for a career-high five points. That earned her Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week laurels. As strong as she's been on the field, she's been just as strong in the classroom, cracking the Patriot League's inaugural Academic All-Patriot League Team last year while posting a 3.88 cumulative GPA as an IDEAS major.
Lehighsports.com: What's your favorite Lehigh Field Hockey memory up until this point?
AT: The La Salle game this year, where I scored the game-winning goal in overtime. We played so well the entire game and it will be a game I remember for the rest of my life. That was a glimpse of the incredible potential this team has and I know it will blossom in years to come.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AT: We have definitely gotten closer as the years have gone by, especially since the group has gotten to half the size that it started. We all bring something completely different to the team and it really works for us. Yet, no matter how different we are, at the end of the day I know the other three have my back and I can trust them.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
AT: It's so emotional! I have been “the athlete” my entire life and in a few short weeks, it will be over. It's truly hard to fathom. I wish I knew as a freshman what this would feel like because I wouldn't have taken it for granted. I wish I had the mindset to play every game like it was my last season. As a senior now, I realize that it's really about putting yourself second to the team - everyone else comes first. You have got to work hard and push yourself for the people you play next to, not just yourself. In the last few games, I just want to give my all and have no regrets.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
What will you miss most about Lehigh Field Hockey?
AT: I'm sure the other seniors will say the same thing, but I am going to miss the people on the team. We've always had a different bond than any other team in the Patriot League and we genuinely have fun together.
What are your postgraduate plans?
What are your postgraduate plans?
AT: I have received a President's Scholarship and will have a free fifth year of tuition to get my Master's of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
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