Fagan, Goddard, Stehly providing anchor to Marauders' stingy defense

MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - The Millersville field hockey team is rounding out its third week ranked No. 1 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Poll (NFHCA). The team has taken 183 shots on goal this season but have allowed only 37 shots from opponents across eight games.

The back line is the final line of defense between Millersville opponents and their goalie. Jordan Goddard, Meredith Fagan, and Madeline Stehly have helped form a nearly impenetrable barrier; Millersville has allowed only three goals this season.

"I think we just want to give a sense of security to the rest of our teammates." said Stehly. "That we have their backs and that we are able to set them up and give them success."

Coach Shelly Behrens shuttles in lines of midfielders and attacking forwards, keeping the fresh legs in the game. But Goddard, Fagan, and Stehly all rank in the top five on the team in minutes played. Goddard leads by a wide margin with 461. She is followed by goalie Autumn Peters who has played 415.

"I think as a defensive line, including our goalkeepers, we try to set everyone else up for success in front of us," Goddard said. "We try to make sure they are in the spots that they need to be in to succeed and try to win the ball as much as possible."

Setting each other up for success and always having each other's backs is a consistent theme across the back line defense. Stehly, Goddard, and Fagan have built this relationship through three years of playing together.

"We've just really grown together as players." said Stehly. "We've made a lot of mistakes but I always know that Jordan and Meredith have my back so I have allowed myself to make mistakes and to become better."

"I give a lot of credit to our forwards and our midfields," added Fagan. "We talk about how this year feels different than others years, and I think that it is because we all feel like we really do all have each other's backs. We will cover each other's positions if we mess up or someone is tired. That is what makes it feel successful and more like a team."

Fagan and Stehly entered the team as defenders. Goddard was recruited as a midfielder but was moved to the back line after freshman year. Stehly occasionally gets reps at midfield.

"I like to protect, I like to know that I do have people in front of me that can help me but that when it comes down to it we are going to be the ones that win the ball and protect our goalkeeper and our team," Stehly said.

Now, the trio is the anchor to a defense that ranks No. 3 in Division II in goals against average, allowing 0.38 goals per game. The Marauders also rank third in shutouts. That defense will receive a significant test on Wednesday as the No. 1-ranked Marauders face No. 2-ranked West Chester, which fields the nation's top-ranked offense, scoring an average of 4.17 goals per game.

"Before every game the biggest word I think of is 'fight,' Fagan said. "Every time we step out onto the field, I think that this is what all of our practice leads to and this is where we can get our best result and use all of our drills--to show everyone what we are able to do."

Schedule

Fagan, Goddard, Stehly providing anchor to Marauders' stingy defense

Players Mentioned

Meredith Fagan

Jordan Goddard

Autumn Peters

Madeline Stehly

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