Two is better than one at NA

Goalies have some of the busiest tasks on a field hockey team. It’s beneficial when a team has a very good player backstopping a team’s defense.

So, when a team has two solid players available to play such a stressful position, it puts the coach — and the players — in an interesting position.

Such a situation presented itself to coach Madelyn Berkley when North Allegheny was getting ready for the 2016 season with returning starter Katie Shideler and the team’s top backup, Rena Israel, both entering their senior seasons.

As practice began in August, Berkley, who is in her fifth season as the team’s head coach, took note of Israel’s play in goal.

“We were impressed with how Rena Israel really stepped up a lot,” she said. “Last year, Katie Shideler was definitely our starting goalie. This year, it was very hard to choose between them. There are differences between them, but I knew they both should have the opportunity to start and get that recognition. Finishing a game is just as important as starting a game.”

Berkley has not heard of a team having co-starters in goal.

When Shideler found out that Berkley was going to adjust the team’s goalie approach, she was puzzled.

“At first, the way she said it, I thought she meant Rena was going to start,” Shideler recalled. “I was wondering what I was doing wrong. So, I pushed myself more [in practice].”

Later, Shideler and Israel discovered that Berkley was going to use both goalies during a game. When Shideler starts a game, Israel is in goal to begin the second half. Israel then starts the next game, and Shideler comes off the bench after halftime. The format has been in play since Shideler, a 10-year field hockey veteran, started the opening game. Israel, who has played for seven years, started the second game, and the order has rotated every game this season.

Ultimately, the decision as to which goalie will start is up to Berkley and her staff.

“If we notice that one goalie is ‘off,’ then we’ll start the other goalie,” the coach said.

Shideler believes the format is beneficial.

“I think it helped the dynamic of the team,” Shideler added. “It’s a different mentality when I start games and when [Israel] starts games. When I start a second half, I’m able to see how they played [in the first half]. I’m glad we both got to get that experience. I like being [a co-starter] because it’s fair and we’re equal. We have equal abilities, and I think it’s right that we both get to start games switching on and off.”

“Fair and equal” aren’t just terms the players are throwing around. Heading into the final week of the season, Israel’s save percentage was 80 percent, and Shideler was a tick behind at 79 percent. Entering Tuesday’s game with Pine-Richland, North Allegheny was 7-8-1 overall, and the two goalies had combined to record five shutouts.

Israel appreciates co-starting with Shideler.

“There aren’t a lot of schools that have two goalies in the same [year in school],” she said. “That’s the main thing, and we’re [both] seniors. Sometimes, teams have two goalies, but [having two co-starters] is unique.”

Both plan to play field hockey in college, and there’s a real possibility they will face each other at the next level. Israel will attend Washington & Jefferson College, while Shideler is deciding between Juniata or The College of Wooster (Ohio). Regardless of Shideler’s choice, both are certain their teams will play each other.

“I’m really excited for it because we’ve been playing together for so long,” Shideler said.

“We’ve always been teammates, so going into that different environment will be something we’ve never done and that’s play against each other. It will be surreal,” she added.

“I think it’s going to be really great,” Israel said. “College [field hockey] is a different sport. Everyone who is there was chosen to be there. They didn’t just sign up. They had to be chosen. So, I think it’s going to be comforting to see a familiar face even if she isn’t on the same team.”

Because they have played and practiced on the same team and know each other’s game so well, it’s no surprise each player will pass along information to their future teammates. Shideler, though, believes the information each has on the other won’t add up to much.

“We’ve been practicing together for seven years, so we know each other so well and each other’s game,” Shideler said. “There won’t be an advantage as we’ll cancel each other out.”

Still, both agreed, that information will be passed along.

Berkley hopes to see both players compete for their respective colleges.

“It is awesome,” she said. “What’s nice about college games is that we’re able to see them on weekends. I’ve seen W&J games and Slippery Rock games. So, if [there’s a game in the Pittsburgh area], I’ll get to see them. I think they’ll be a great asset to whatever team they join.”