Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSyracuse goalkeeper excited to work with gold-medal winning coach
By Kevin Ware
Posted: 8/26/08, 10:56 PM EST Section: Sports
With the right amount of work, Bennett-Hatton should be able to improve on her numbers from her freshman and sophomore seasons in which she started every game she played. In her first two seasons in goal, she has allowed 1.06 goals per game, while racking up 179 saves.
While Bennett-Hatton is capable of making a spectacular save at any given time, but the word consistency is thrown around when Pepicelli and Ely are asked what she needs to improve on. It was her consistency, or lack thereof, that landed her sixth out of ten in save percentage (.819) but also found her second in saves (104) among a talented roster of Big East goalkeepers last season.
"I think we're just trying to make sure she's trying to stay at the level that we know she can play at and be consistent," Ely said. "And making sure when she steps onto the field she's bringing her best game every day and every practice."
With a solid showing last Friday in the 3-1 season-opening win against Albany, signs appear to be pointed up for Bennett-Hatton. She recorded four saves with her only blemish coming in the sixth minute when the Great Danes' Ashley Tirabassi scored on a header off a corner kick.
"One of the things about her is she does keep getting better," said sophomore forward Megan Bellingham. "I think as she gets older she's realizing she needs to be a leader on this team, and I think she's done a great job of that, of being just a positive person on the field. So I really have a lot of respect for her in that aspect."
Now as Wheddon returns to the sidelines for the Orange on Friday when Syracuse takes on William & Mary in Harrisonburg, Va., the process of working with Bennett-Hatton gets thrown into full speed.
"It's a great opportunity for her to learn from the best," Bellingham said. "You know, I do have all the confidence in the world she's going to grow as a player. So I think she'll definitely take advantage of this opportunity."
kjware@syr.edu
While Bennett-Hatton is capable of making a spectacular save at any given time, but the word consistency is thrown around when Pepicelli and Ely are asked what she needs to improve on. It was her consistency, or lack thereof, that landed her sixth out of ten in save percentage (.819) but also found her second in saves (104) among a talented roster of Big East goalkeepers last season.
"I think we're just trying to make sure she's trying to stay at the level that we know she can play at and be consistent," Ely said. "And making sure when she steps onto the field she's bringing her best game every day and every practice."
With a solid showing last Friday in the 3-1 season-opening win against Albany, signs appear to be pointed up for Bennett-Hatton. She recorded four saves with her only blemish coming in the sixth minute when the Great Danes' Ashley Tirabassi scored on a header off a corner kick.
"One of the things about her is she does keep getting better," said sophomore forward Megan Bellingham. "I think as she gets older she's realizing she needs to be a leader on this team, and I think she's done a great job of that, of being just a positive person on the field. So I really have a lot of respect for her in that aspect."
Now as Wheddon returns to the sidelines for the Orange on Friday when Syracuse takes on William & Mary in Harrisonburg, Va., the process of working with Bennett-Hatton gets thrown into full speed.
"It's a great opportunity for her to learn from the best," Bellingham said. "You know, I do have all the confidence in the world she's going to grow as a player. So I think she'll definitely take advantage of this opportunity."
kjware@syr.edu
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