North taking transition game to the next level
Coaches and players alike often speak of the need for a strong transition game. The term ranges in application IrRP LndLYLduDO gDPH flRw tR PRYHPHnt bHtwHHn VHDsons. The team that transitLRnV wHOO LV uVuDOOy tKH RnH that succeeds.
Taylor Beck, senior captain and goalie for the Council Rock North girls ODFrRVVH tHDP, NnRwV DOO about transition. Her position as goatender requires D VPRRtK VwLtFK IrRP D defensive mindset to an offense oriented instinct.
First and foremost, Taylor has to stop enemy missiles headed for her goal, a task she relishes, “The thing I like the most about playing goalie is the fact that it’s such a high-scoring sport tKDt wKHn yRu PDNH D VDYH, it’s kind of a bigger deal than usual. I like the idea of VtRSSLng D gLrO wKRVH PDLn goal is to put the ball behind me. It’s exhilarating. I am a huge ice hockey fan. My IDPLOy Dnd , wDtFK KRFNHy religiously and that’s one of the reasons I became a gRDOLH. ,t’V tKDt wKROH gRDOLH mentality to put your body in front of the ball just to help your team.”
Primary responsibility completed, the goalie then PuVt VwLtFK gHDrV Dnd VSDrN the offensive attack. “It’s a big transition game. If you make a save, you’re right DwDy HxSHFtHd tR VtHS Rutside your crease and start tKH SODy uSfiHOd. , rHDOOy gHt HxFLtHd wKHn , gHt Dn DVsist on a goal because that means I made a good clear Rut Dnd KHOSHd wLtK tKH RIfense.”
The dual roles require a mental toughness and a FRPSOHtH DwDrHnHVV RI tKH game. A four-year varsity career has taught Taylor the most important lessons, “Mentally, I’ve learned that a goalie has to shake off mistakes. My freshmen yHDr, , rHDOOy VtruggOHd wLtK letting in a goal. I’ve come tR NnRw tKDt yRu nHHd tR OHt Lt gR Dnd PRYH IRrwDrd wLtK that.”
vou also have to bounce back from any seemingly inevitable bashes and bruises. “Today in practice, I took a ball right to the chest. That affected my brHDtKLng IRr D wKLOH. ,t’V just something you have to realize. vou’re going to get hurt and get bruises all over the place but you have to push through it and, I guess you could say, be tough as nails.”
This year, Taylor needs to apply her transition game concept to the entire team. The Indians enter the 2013 campaign as the reigning champs of the Suburban One League (SOL) National Division. vet they are missLng fiYH RI ODVt VHDVRn’V firVt team all-league players in Kara Magley, Hannah Plappert, Molly Doyle, Bridget Doyle and Kara Le. Such a dHSOHtLRn Ln PDnSRwHr rHquires some retooling.
Taylor feels the Rock is DdMuVtLng wHOO. “WH’rH rHally strong this year. It is a lot different for the seniors coming into this season bHFDuVH wH KDd tKDt bLg graduating class in front RI uV. WH’rH OHDrnLng Dnd wH’rH FRPLng tRgHtKHr DV D team and as a family. Our trDnVLtLRn uS tKH fiHOd LV tKH RnH tKLng wH VtruggOHd wLtK but tKDt LV PuFK bHttHr. WH have a couple of really solid scorers so that is going to help us in our close league games.”
The Rock also faces DdDStLng tR D nHw KHDd coach, Krista DaytonVantresca, and her style of play. “I don’t think it is a tough adjustment. She has VR PuFK NnRwOHdgH bHcause she played at Division-I in college. Coach DV is great. Her system is much tKH VDPH DV bHIRrH but wLtK greater emphasis on transitLRn Dnd wRrNLng tRgHtKHr on offense.”
Based on their openinggame 12-1 defeat of New Hope Solebury, the Indians have acclimated quite well to any roster and coaching alterations. North got two- goal efforts from Nicole bnder, Katy Lehman, Tori Lyon, Laura Kwasnoski, and Taylor Campbell. Marian Schreiner and Devon Mela rounded out the visiting team’s scoring. Taylor Beck recorded six saves in goal and allowed only one Lions’ shot to reach the back of the net.
All told, the Rock had met their pregame objectives, “We knew they were a pretty new program. We went in with the mindset to play clean and get our passes down and get some pretty goals and work our system.”
From her captain’s viewpoint, Taylor thought the fiUsW gDPH sKRwHG SURP- ise. “Overall, we felt really good out there. The only thing was maintaining our composure. For a lot of gLUOs, LW wDs WKHLU fiUsW gDPH on varsity. It’s a matter of being calm and knowing we can win and do whatever we put our minds to.”
Transitioning from rookies to seasoned vets should not take the Indians long. They are already off to a good start.
♦♦♦