Midfielder Sarah Fichtner fights for the ball in the Terps’ 1-0 win over La Salle at Ludwig Field on August 30, 2015
When Terrapins women’s soccer coach Jonathan Morgan heard defender Amanda Gerlitz wouldn’t be available to play in the team’s match against La Salle on Sunday because of personal reasons, Morgan asked midfielder Sarah Fichtner if she wanted to replace Gerlitz in the starting backline.
Fichtner, a redshirt senior, didn’t hesitate to answer.
“She was like, ‘Yeah, wherever you need me. I’ll play there,’” Morgan said. “That’s big time.”
Fichtner’s move to wide right back didn’t cause any issues for the backline, as La Salle mustered just nine shots in the Terps’ 1-0 win.
“Fichtner is a very versatile player,” fullback Shannon Collins said. “So having to make that adjustment, it was fairly simple for her. Honestly, it wasn’t the same as Amanda, but she did a fantastic job.”
Last season, Fichtner started all 18 games at midfield, and Sunday marked the first time she has started on defense. But it wasn’t the first time she’s played competitive soccer on the backline. In high school, she alternated between defense and midfielder for her club team, PDA Tsunami. Plus, Morgan said Fichtner’s strong defensive play in the midfield last season was key for a Terps defense that tied for the third-fewest goals allowed in the Big Ten (17).
Though she felt nervous at times in her new position, Fichtner grew more comfortable as she chatted with her teammates throughout the match. The veteran said goalkeeper Rachelle Beanlands served as a reassuring voice, making Fichtner aware of the offensive schemes La Salle was running. Beanlands also told Fichtner when to move up the field, when to drop down and when to collapse on defenders.
Before the game, Fichtner spoke with assistant coach Kevin Dempsey, who coached 2011 SEC Defensive Player of the Year Allysha Chapman at LSU, to help ease her transition.
Entering Sunday, the Terps had allowed 32 shots through three contests with the same starting defense. Gerlitz started every game for the Terps last season and the first three this year. But Fichtner’s shift, which Collins said was “the smoothest transition possible,” helped limit the Explorers to two shots on goal and two corner kicks.
Morgan said Fichtner thrives at one-on-one defending, though she wasn’t always in the right position on the backline.
Fichtner’s job might have been made easier since she had the sideline to use as a defender Sunday, Morgan said. At midfield, opposing players can attack the right and left sides of the field, but with the right sideline next to her against the Explorers, Fichtner had no trouble forcing her opponents away from scoring position.
“Obviously being the last line was a little bit different than being in the midfield,” Fichtner said. “I was always checking my shoulder, making sure nobody was behind me. I really had to open up my body more and make sure I was seeing the whole field.”
