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
If there ever was a reason for buying into a new coach's system, Eliza Bennett-Hatton has it.
It was new Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon who guided the well-publicized and much-scrutinized Hope Solo to a gold-medal goalkeeping performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics for the USA women's soccer team.
As the goalkeeper coach for the national team, Wheddon steered the talented Solo against Brazil in the gold-medal match Aug. 21 that the U.S. won, 1-0, in overtime.
As the Syracuse women's soccer team gathered to watch its new head coach win gold, the whole team knew an excellent teacher would be returning to school. For Bennett-Hatton, SU's goalkeeper, the chance of a lifetime could be resting in her hands.
"Obviously it's one of the best opportunities right now for any goalkeeper anywhere," she said.
She's right. Most goalkeepers would jump through the crossbar for the chance to learn from the coach who just polished the most talented goalkeeper in the United States.
"I think (I'm feeling) privileged and a little nervous," Bennett-Hatton said. "There's a lot to compare to - he's going to be looking for things in me; he's been training national team goalkeepers."
Bennett-Hatton, a junior, has not spent any time working with Wheddon yet, because he has been in Beijing training and competing with the national team.
While the two have talked, the information Wheddon can expound onto Bennett-Hatton leaves the goalkeeper anticipating his arrival, but still she insists it isn't making her nervous.
"With the information he can provide to her, I feel like it's endless," said Robyn Pepicelli, who has been the acting head coach while Wheddon has been away. "It'll be whatever she can take in and contribute. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but she has a great work ethic. The opportunity for her, it'll be endless."
Bennett-Hatton will still be worked the most by Katie Ely, the goalkeeper coach for Syracuse, but Wheddon's presence will always be felt.
It was new Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon who guided the well-publicized and much-scrutinized Hope Solo to a gold-medal goalkeeping performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics for the USA women's soccer team.
As the goalkeeper coach for the national team, Wheddon steered the talented Solo against Brazil in the gold-medal match Aug. 21 that the U.S. won, 1-0, in overtime.
As the Syracuse women's soccer team gathered to watch its new head coach win gold, the whole team knew an excellent teacher would be returning to school. For Bennett-Hatton, SU's goalkeeper, the chance of a lifetime could be resting in her hands.
"Obviously it's one of the best opportunities right now for any goalkeeper anywhere," she said.
She's right. Most goalkeepers would jump through the crossbar for the chance to learn from the coach who just polished the most talented goalkeeper in the United States.
"I think (I'm feeling) privileged and a little nervous," Bennett-Hatton said. "There's a lot to compare to - he's going to be looking for things in me; he's been training national team goalkeepers."
Bennett-Hatton, a junior, has not spent any time working with Wheddon yet, because he has been in Beijing training and competing with the national team.
While the two have talked, the information Wheddon can expound onto Bennett-Hatton leaves the goalkeeper anticipating his arrival, but still she insists it isn't making her nervous.
"With the information he can provide to her, I feel like it's endless," said Robyn Pepicelli, who has been the acting head coach while Wheddon has been away. "It'll be whatever she can take in and contribute. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but she has a great work ethic. The opportunity for her, it'll be endless."
Bennett-Hatton will still be worked the most by Katie Ely, the goalkeeper coach for Syracuse, but Wheddon's presence will always be felt.
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