Gendreau happy with progress
Cumberland looking to build after three straight tough seasons
CUMBERLAND — When first-year Cumberland field hockey coach Erin Gendreau met with her team for the first time in August, she asked the upperclassmen what they felt was missing for a program that had fallen on hard times since winning the 2015 Division II title.
Gendreau, a 2017 Salve Regina graduate, has clearly helped improve the chemistry and skills of the Clippers because they entered Wednesday’s non-league clash with Division I La Salle with three wins, a season after picking up just five wins.
“I’m just trying to bring them back together as a team because I know they said they were struggling with that in the last few years,” Gendreau said. “We want more team camaraderie and more team play all over the field and more of a passing game. I’m definitely happy with how they’re playing. They’re a really close-knit team, which is awesome for me because it makes me worry less about it. Plus, it makes it more enjoyable at practice for everyone.”
Wednesday, the Rams used a first-half goal from Arianna DeSousa and a second-half tally from junior Jenna Stevens to earn a 2-0 victory at Tucker Field. The game ended a run of three straight contests against Division I teams. Cumberland lost all three games, but Gendreau learned plenty about her squad as it begins the second half of the Division II season next week.
“It was a tough two weeks, but playing better teams is only going to make us a better team,” Gendreau said. “The kids can see that. Stepping up and playing better teams, it shows them that they can play with anyone in our division. That will help us in the second half of the season.”
Cumberland (3-6-1, 3-3-1 Division II) received another superb effort in the cage from freshman goalie Rachael Grieve, while Hannah Guerin and the forwards created four penalty corners. La Salle goalie Sarah Lisa made five saves to record the shutout.
The Rams, who lost four straight games before beating all three of its Division II opponents, scored the only goal they would need in the seventh minute when freshman Callanan combined with DeSousa. The Clippers nearly pulled a goal back in the 14th minute, but Lisa denied Guerin and the Clippers failed to score on the ensuing penalty corner.
La Salle doubled its lead 10 minutes into the second half on Stevens’ third goal of the season.
Cumberland will get back to Division II play Tuesday when South Kingstown comes to Tucker Field. The Clippers dropped a 4-0 decision to the Rebels in the season opener.
“My captains, Morgan Felix, Jenna Bowerfind and Kirsten Mahalaris, are doing a good job leading this team,” said Gendreau, who grew up in Sandwich, Mass., but is now a forensic scientist in Providence. “They’re going to be missed when they’re gone, but they’re doing a great job helping everyone.”