After a standout freshman season, Meredith Gettel wanted to contribute more in her sophomore season with the Syracuse field hockey team. Unfortunately for Gettel and the Orangewomen, that didn’t happen. After scoring four goals in her freshman campaign, she scored only one goal last season.

That disappointment left Gettel hungry for more. She knew that she could contribute more to SU’s attack. After a stringent off-season workout program, Gettel is better than she was her freshman year.

She takes her team-leading four goals and 10 points into tonight’s game against Massachusetts at 7 at Coyne Field. The Orangewomen are riding a three-game losing streak.

‘She made a good personal effort in the off-season,’ Syracuse assistant coach Mary McCracken said. ‘She worked to be able to improve her scoring opportunities. Last season was a concern to her, and there was more pressure on her to score.’

Gettel knew coming into the season that more would be expected of her as a junior. With SU returning only two senior starters, a talented group of juniors would have to set an example for the younger players.

Syracuse’s athletic staff provided all players with off-season training packets. Gettel was able to train hard over the summer because a fitness center was located right above where she worked.

Gettel came back to Syracuse in the best shape of her college career. All the time she had spent running over the summer gave her increased stamina.

‘In the beginning of the season, it helped me to become more explosive,’ Gettel said. ‘And with the press we use, it helps me force the other team to make errors and force interceptions.’

With two freshmen forwards getting significant playing time, Gettel has also taken on a leadership role. In Syracuse’s media guide, head coach Kathleen Parker said she expected Gettel to ‘lead by example inside the circle.’

When freshman forward Meg Ryan came for a recruiting visit last season, she stayed at Gettel’s apartment. Ryan said Gettel helped her adjust to college and ease any anxieties she had about coming to Syracuse.

‘I’ve been talking to her for the last year,’ Ryan said. ‘Her stick work is unbelievable. She took me to the library when I came on my recruiting visit … or at least that’s what we told coach.’

McCracken praised Gettel’s leadership role. She said that for Gettel to come back to school in good shape was the best example she could set for younger players. The strongest aspect of Gettel’s game may be her aggressive one-on-one play inside the 25-yard line. It has led to most of Gettel’s four goals.

Although, Gettel is proud of her increased goal production, she said she didn’t workout so much in the off-season just to score goals. Her main interest is the Orangewomen’s success, something SU has lacked during its three-game losing streak.

‘It’s rewarding (to score goals),’ Gettel said. ‘But I don’t workout just to score goals. I do it more because I feel like I owe it my team. We worked so hard in the spring, and I’d be letting the team and coach down if I didn’t do it because I wouldn’t play as well.’

Published on October 2, 2003 at 12:00 pm