Mountain Hawk seniors reflect on careers in advance of Sunday’s Senior Day
10/11/2018 11:04:00 AM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh field hockey seniors have made an impact all over the field, a class featuring three individuals who have played all positions – from defense to midfield and forward. This group has helped the program make significant strides forward, ranging from major victories such as a 1-0 win over archrival Lafayette last season to small wins like creating a foundation for success off the field in the intangibles. This year, Lehigh took Lafayette to overtime for a second straight year while beating Ball State for the first time since 1984. The Mountain Hawks also scored in each of their first four Patriot League games for the first time since 2012, the latest goal coming from a senior.
In advance of Sunday's Senior Day game vs. Rider, Lehighsports.com caught up with the senior class to reflect on their careers in the Brown and White.
#7 Lindsay Alvarez – Midfielder – Martinsville, N.J. – Finance
Alvarez has made her mark as a forward, midfielder and defender. After playing in six games as a freshman, she played in 16 games (with nine starts) as a sophomore, scoring two goals and dishing an assist. Alvarez's goals came on consecutive days vs. Colgate and Towson, helping Lehigh outscore its opponents 11-0 over the weekend. Alvarez dished her first-career assist in the season finale at Brown while adding an assist as a junior against Ball State. Last season, she played in all 18 games with nine starts, while continuing to make an impact as both a center back and forward this year. This year, Alvarez scored a big goal against Holy Cross earlier this month, while getting into all but one game this season.
What's your favorite Lehigh field hockey memory up until this point?
LA: My favorite LUFH memory was beating Lafayette (for the first time in 13 years) in overtime my junior year! That is my favorite memory because we were the underdogs in the situation, but we never let that get in our heads. It was a really big moment for the program and was probably the most exciting game I have ever played in at Lehigh.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LA: My relationship with my fellow seniors is very genuine. All three of us went through a lot of adversity together that helped us grow and learn together. I love them both and I would not be the player, teammate or friend I am today without 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?
LA: My feeling going into Senior Day is very rewarding. The girls on this team are truly one of a kind and I am proud to know all of them and be able to spend this time with them. Being near the end of my collegiate career, I am very proud that I am part of Lehigh Athletics and everything this university has to offer. I love this school and this team and my teammates have helped me grow as an individual. It is a very bittersweet feeling to know that I will not play field hockey competitively again, but I am thankful for the time I've had.
What will you miss most about Lehigh field hockey?
LA: I will miss my teammates most and seeing all of their accomplishments on and off the field. They are a great group of girls with big hearts. They are all extremely intelligent and will do amazing things in the future and I am excited to see how successful they all become.
How proud are you of the strides the Lehigh field hockey program has taken and continues to take?
LA: I am proud of the strides LUFH has made when it comes to effort, work rate and culture. Our team has become an environment that is inclusive and one that is constantly supportive of one another. We all put in an enormous amount of time and effort into our school work and field work.
What are your postgraduate plans?
LA: I will be working for PNC Bank as a Corporate and Institutional Banking Analyst
#19 Isabel McKeown – Midfielder/Defender – Garden City, N.Y. – Finance
McKeown has made her mark from the beginning, seeing action in all but one game in her career. Primarily a midfielder over her career, McKeown has also made her mark on the front and back lines. This year, McKeown tallied an assist at Lafayette while posting two defensive saves – vs. Lock Haven and at Villanova – near the top of the Patriot League. McKeown entered her senior campaign with three goals and three assists, scoring her first-career goal as a freshman at Towson while scoring as a sophomore against Towson and at Siena. McKeown also had a career-high two assists in the Mountain Hawks' dominant 6-0 victory vs. Colgate, in the midst of an impressive Lehigh run which saw the Mountain Hawks outscore their opponents 11-0 in a weekend.
What's your favorite Lehigh field hockey memory up until this point?
IM: I have two favorite memories on LUFH so far. My favorite field hockey memory is the overtime win against Lafayette at our golden game my junior year. It was such an incredible feeling to be the team to beat Lafayette for the first time in 12 years. My other favorite memory was when we traveled to Boston my sophomore year. We went to the Quincy market as a team. At the market, street performers were pulling people into their dance routine. Coach Taylor and dads on LUFH were pulled into the performance and had to sing/dance to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies". It was really funny to watch and is probably one of my favorite non-field hockey memories.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
IM: Lindsay Alvarez, Lauren Dice and I have formed a tight-knit friendship over the years and especially this year. We have been through thick and thin situations, on the field and off the field. That has created a bond based off of respect and trust for one another, especially within this year. In our senior year, we have come together more than ever to stand up for each other and support each other whether it be in athletic terms, social terms or academic terms. I am thankful for Lehigh field hockey introducing me to some lifelong friends that I know I can always turn to.
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?
IM: It is an extremely bittersweet feeling going into Senior Day. It is bittersweet because it is a rewarding feeling to reflect on where the program was my first year at Lehigh and how much it has changed by my final season. It is also a rewarding feeling to know that I was fortunate enough to be a part of one of the first classes through under Coach Dallmeyer and Coach Dyer as they rebuild this program so I can truly say I was a catalyst in this process. However, Senior Day is also an incredibly sad day because reality essentially hits you for the first time. You finally realize that your competition days are nearing an end and the sport that you love, the sport that you spent your entire life until this point, is coming to an end as you get ready to retire your uniform and trade it in for a corporate suit.
What will you miss most about Lehigh field hockey?
IM: I will miss being a part of a team and being a part of something larger than myself. I am an extremely competitive person who enjoys the challenge of trying to improve this program every day that I participate in it. It drives my schedule on a daily basis and I will definitely feel its void as I graduate from the program. I will also miss the incredible people and friendships that I have made during this process. Between all the physical, mental and cultural work that you put into this program over the years, you form a special kind of bond with individuals throughout your time that you would never be able to form otherwise.
How proud are you of the strides the Lehigh field hockey program has taken and continues to take?
IM: I am incredibly proud of the strides that Lehigh field hockey has taken and continues to take within my time here. Lehigh field hockey has been faced with plenty of challenges and adversity and continues to get back up and fight regardless of what is thrown at this program. It is a continuous process to turn around a program and it isn't a process that will happen overnight. It will have its ups and downs and I am so proud of how the program now acts in the face of downturns. I am excited to see where the program will go in future years.
What are your postgraduate plans?
IM: After graduation, I will be working for the hedge fund Mill Hill Capital in Manhattan as an Operational Analyst.
#20 Lauren Dice – Forward – Havertown, Pa. – Finance
Dice played in 17 games as a freshman, which included her first-career goal at Monmouth on her first-career shot. As a sophomore, Dice saw action in 15 games (with seven starts), finishing fourth on the Mountain Hawks with 12 points behind five goals and two assists. Dice's two game-winning goals tied for tops on the team, while she was a perfect 3-of-3 on penalty strokes. Other highlights included a career-high two goals in a win over Siena, then six days later, scoring the game's first goal in Lehigh's 6-0 win over Colgate, which was the program's largest-ever margin of victory in a Patriot League contest. Dice went on to play in 16 games last season and all 11 games so far this year, scoring a goal at Villanova.
What's your favorite Lehigh field hockey memory up until this point?
LD: My favorite Lehigh field hockey memory up until this point would be beating Lafayette my junior season on our home turf. It happened to be our golden game, therefore, we had a high volume of spectators which increased the overall energy of the game. The moment of being in a huge dog pile, with my teammates, all celebrating our collective success will forever be ingrained within my memory. My experience as a Lehigh field hockey player has given me the opportunity to play the sport I love, while making lasting memories along the way.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LD: My class and I have grown immensely throughout our time as Lehigh student-athletes. We have helped to motivate and collaborative with each other, both on the field and in the classroom, to achieve overall progress and success. Over the years, we have experienced both the joys of success and have also grown from the lessons learned through overcoming adversity. Lehigh University field hockey has instilled life lessons within the three of us that have and will continue to benefit my class moving forward. I cannot wait to see what the future holds and wish all the best to both Isabel and Lindsay!
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?
LD: I am experiencing a general mix of emotions as Senior Day approaches, which ranges from a sense of accomplishment to a feeling of nostalgia. My sense of accomplishment stems from the personal growth I have experienced throughout my time as a Lehigh field hockey player. I have transformed and matured throughout my years at Lehigh, not only as a student-athlete, but also as an overall friend, teammate and person. Being a Division I student-athlete has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding endeavors I have undertaken. My experiences have taught me discipline, hard work and collaboration, while forming amazing friendships along the way. The lessons and friendships that I have gained through my student-athlete experiences have been instrumental in molding me into the person I am today.
What will you miss most about Lehigh field hockey?
LD: I will miss the daily opportunity of being able to step onto the field, with my fellow teammates, and give everything we have into both practices and those precious 70 minutes of each game play. I will miss the satisfaction of knowing I gave it my all after a tough workout and the chance of seeing all of our hard work pay off in crucial game moments. Lastly, I will miss the moments of joy that have grown from the close relationships I have formed with my teammates, both on and off the field.
How proud are you of the strides the Lehigh field hockey program has taken and continues to take?
LD: I could not be prouder of my fellow teammates in their dedication and personal strides to be better on a daily basis, both on and off the field. I am particularly proud of the culture surrounding our program because, even in the midst of adversity or setbacks, the entire team has a resilient and positive attitude moving forward. The high work rate and motivation to push one's self and others is a common theme among our team, which will continue to set us up for success. I am so proud of my fellow teammates for all the hard work and am beyond excited to see the continued strides of the program moving forward.
What are your postgraduate plans?
LD: I plan on pursuing a career in consulting.
In advance of Sunday's Senior Day game vs. Rider, Lehighsports.com caught up with the senior class to reflect on their careers in the Brown and White.
#7 Lindsay Alvarez – Midfielder – Martinsville, N.J. – Finance
Alvarez has made her mark as a forward, midfielder and defender. After playing in six games as a freshman, she played in 16 games (with nine starts) as a sophomore, scoring two goals and dishing an assist. Alvarez's goals came on consecutive days vs. Colgate and Towson, helping Lehigh outscore its opponents 11-0 over the weekend. Alvarez dished her first-career assist in the season finale at Brown while adding an assist as a junior against Ball State. Last season, she played in all 18 games with nine starts, while continuing to make an impact as both a center back and forward this year. This year, Alvarez scored a big goal against Holy Cross earlier this month, while getting into all but one game this season.What's your favorite Lehigh field hockey memory up until this point?
LA: My favorite LUFH memory was beating Lafayette (for the first time in 13 years) in overtime my junior year! That is my favorite memory because we were the underdogs in the situation, but we never let that get in our heads. It was a really big moment for the program and was probably the most exciting game I have ever played in at Lehigh.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LA: My relationship with my fellow seniors is very genuine. All three of us went through a lot of adversity together that helped us grow and learn together. I love them both and I would not be the player, teammate or friend I am today without 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?
LA: My feeling going into Senior Day is very rewarding. The girls on this team are truly one of a kind and I am proud to know all of them and be able to spend this time with them. Being near the end of my collegiate career, I am very proud that I am part of Lehigh Athletics and everything this university has to offer. I love this school and this team and my teammates have helped me grow as an individual. It is a very bittersweet feeling to know that I will not play field hockey competitively again, but I am thankful for the time I've had.
What will you miss most about Lehigh field hockey?
LA: I will miss my teammates most and seeing all of their accomplishments on and off the field. They are a great group of girls with big hearts. They are all extremely intelligent and will do amazing things in the future and I am excited to see how successful they all become.
How proud are you of the strides the Lehigh field hockey program has taken and continues to take?
LA: I am proud of the strides LUFH has made when it comes to effort, work rate and culture. Our team has become an environment that is inclusive and one that is constantly supportive of one another. We all put in an enormous amount of time and effort into our school work and field work.
What are your postgraduate plans?
LA: I will be working for PNC Bank as a Corporate and Institutional Banking Analyst
#19 Isabel McKeown – Midfielder/Defender – Garden City, N.Y. – Finance
McKeown has made her mark from the beginning, seeing action in all but one game in her career. Primarily a midfielder over her career, McKeown has also made her mark on the front and back lines. This year, McKeown tallied an assist at Lafayette while posting two defensive saves – vs. Lock Haven and at Villanova – near the top of the Patriot League. McKeown entered her senior campaign with three goals and three assists, scoring her first-career goal as a freshman at Towson while scoring as a sophomore against Towson and at Siena. McKeown also had a career-high two assists in the Mountain Hawks' dominant 6-0 victory vs. Colgate, in the midst of an impressive Lehigh run which saw the Mountain Hawks outscore their opponents 11-0 in a weekend.What's your favorite Lehigh field hockey memory up until this point?
IM: I have two favorite memories on LUFH so far. My favorite field hockey memory is the overtime win against Lafayette at our golden game my junior year. It was such an incredible feeling to be the team to beat Lafayette for the first time in 12 years. My other favorite memory was when we traveled to Boston my sophomore year. We went to the Quincy market as a team. At the market, street performers were pulling people into their dance routine. Coach Taylor and dads on LUFH were pulled into the performance and had to sing/dance to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies". It was really funny to watch and is probably one of my favorite non-field hockey memories.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
IM: Lindsay Alvarez, Lauren Dice and I have formed a tight-knit friendship over the years and especially this year. We have been through thick and thin situations, on the field and off the field. That has created a bond based off of respect and trust for one another, especially within this year. In our senior year, we have come together more than ever to stand up for each other and support each other whether it be in athletic terms, social terms or academic terms. I am thankful for Lehigh field hockey introducing me to some lifelong friends that I know I can always turn to.
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?
IM: It is an extremely bittersweet feeling going into Senior Day. It is bittersweet because it is a rewarding feeling to reflect on where the program was my first year at Lehigh and how much it has changed by my final season. It is also a rewarding feeling to know that I was fortunate enough to be a part of one of the first classes through under Coach Dallmeyer and Coach Dyer as they rebuild this program so I can truly say I was a catalyst in this process. However, Senior Day is also an incredibly sad day because reality essentially hits you for the first time. You finally realize that your competition days are nearing an end and the sport that you love, the sport that you spent your entire life until this point, is coming to an end as you get ready to retire your uniform and trade it in for a corporate suit.
What will you miss most about Lehigh field hockey?
IM: I will miss being a part of a team and being a part of something larger than myself. I am an extremely competitive person who enjoys the challenge of trying to improve this program every day that I participate in it. It drives my schedule on a daily basis and I will definitely feel its void as I graduate from the program. I will also miss the incredible people and friendships that I have made during this process. Between all the physical, mental and cultural work that you put into this program over the years, you form a special kind of bond with individuals throughout your time that you would never be able to form otherwise.
How proud are you of the strides the Lehigh field hockey program has taken and continues to take?
IM: I am incredibly proud of the strides that Lehigh field hockey has taken and continues to take within my time here. Lehigh field hockey has been faced with plenty of challenges and adversity and continues to get back up and fight regardless of what is thrown at this program. It is a continuous process to turn around a program and it isn't a process that will happen overnight. It will have its ups and downs and I am so proud of how the program now acts in the face of downturns. I am excited to see where the program will go in future years.
What are your postgraduate plans?
IM: After graduation, I will be working for the hedge fund Mill Hill Capital in Manhattan as an Operational Analyst.
#20 Lauren Dice – Forward – Havertown, Pa. – Finance
Dice played in 17 games as a freshman, which included her first-career goal at Monmouth on her first-career shot. As a sophomore, Dice saw action in 15 games (with seven starts), finishing fourth on the Mountain Hawks with 12 points behind five goals and two assists. Dice's two game-winning goals tied for tops on the team, while she was a perfect 3-of-3 on penalty strokes. Other highlights included a career-high two goals in a win over Siena, then six days later, scoring the game's first goal in Lehigh's 6-0 win over Colgate, which was the program's largest-ever margin of victory in a Patriot League contest. Dice went on to play in 16 games last season and all 11 games so far this year, scoring a goal at Villanova.What's your favorite Lehigh field hockey memory up until this point?
LD: My favorite Lehigh field hockey memory up until this point would be beating Lafayette my junior season on our home turf. It happened to be our golden game, therefore, we had a high volume of spectators which increased the overall energy of the game. The moment of being in a huge dog pile, with my teammates, all celebrating our collective success will forever be ingrained within my memory. My experience as a Lehigh field hockey player has given me the opportunity to play the sport I love, while making lasting memories along the way.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LD: My class and I have grown immensely throughout our time as Lehigh student-athletes. We have helped to motivate and collaborative with each other, both on the field and in the classroom, to achieve overall progress and success. Over the years, we have experienced both the joys of success and have also grown from the lessons learned through overcoming adversity. Lehigh University field hockey has instilled life lessons within the three of us that have and will continue to benefit my class moving forward. I cannot wait to see what the future holds and wish all the best to both Isabel and Lindsay!
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?
LD: I am experiencing a general mix of emotions as Senior Day approaches, which ranges from a sense of accomplishment to a feeling of nostalgia. My sense of accomplishment stems from the personal growth I have experienced throughout my time as a Lehigh field hockey player. I have transformed and matured throughout my years at Lehigh, not only as a student-athlete, but also as an overall friend, teammate and person. Being a Division I student-athlete has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding endeavors I have undertaken. My experiences have taught me discipline, hard work and collaboration, while forming amazing friendships along the way. The lessons and friendships that I have gained through my student-athlete experiences have been instrumental in molding me into the person I am today.
What will you miss most about Lehigh field hockey?
LD: I will miss the daily opportunity of being able to step onto the field, with my fellow teammates, and give everything we have into both practices and those precious 70 minutes of each game play. I will miss the satisfaction of knowing I gave it my all after a tough workout and the chance of seeing all of our hard work pay off in crucial game moments. Lastly, I will miss the moments of joy that have grown from the close relationships I have formed with my teammates, both on and off the field.
How proud are you of the strides the Lehigh field hockey program has taken and continues to take?
LD: I could not be prouder of my fellow teammates in their dedication and personal strides to be better on a daily basis, both on and off the field. I am particularly proud of the culture surrounding our program because, even in the midst of adversity or setbacks, the entire team has a resilient and positive attitude moving forward. The high work rate and motivation to push one's self and others is a common theme among our team, which will continue to set us up for success. I am so proud of my fellow teammates for all the hard work and am beyond excited to see the continued strides of the program moving forward.
What are your postgraduate plans?
LD: I plan on pursuing a career in consulting.
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