Last year, Sacred Heart closed out their season dismally with a final record of 6-9. A large majority of those losses were by a large goal differential. This means Coach Laura Cook would be spending her offseason focusing on improving her team’s defense, while also searching for new ways to put the ball in the back of the net. Ten freshmen will be welcomed to the roster this year, and with a solid balance of defense and offense being represented, Sacred Heart should fair slightly better than last season.
Statistics of last year’s team show that Sacred Heart had an average of 31 more turnovers than their opponents, which is a huge problem. Opening the 2014 season, SH will take on Fairfield, who handed them their worst loss of the season, 3-18. This game will be a great chance for the Pioneers to show the improvements that they have made in the offseason.
Emily Cook, an incoming freshman will be a staple on the defensive end. Standing at 5’10”, she will be a brick wall that will certainly be difficult to break through. She also has the benefit of playing in front of her former Wantagh, NY teammate Kelly Keenan. This familiarity should bring improvement from the 2013 squad.
While I do not expect a championship season, the Pioneers should fair slightly better this year, closing the season right around .500.
