Missy Meharg
For Natalie Hunter, Sunday’s 8-3 win against No. 17 Drexel unfolded similarly to most of her games this season.
As the Terrapins field hockey team dominated stretches of the match in the attacking third of the field, Hunter idled in front of her goal cage. But it was a very different type of game for the Terps goalkeeper Friday against Old Dominion.
Out of her 13 total saves this season, a career-high 10 of them came against the Monarchs during the Terps’ 3-0 win in Norfolk, Va.
“Of course, I get an adrenaline rush when the ball is down on my end,” Hunter said. “I’m just so focused on the ball, at times, I forget everything going on around me.”
The Seaville, N.J., native almost single-handedly fended off the Monarchs’ offense in the second period, making seven saves in the half, a mark that included three saves in under a minute.
“[Old Dominion] broke through once or twice and she was there,” defender Sarah Sprink said. “It was incredible.”
Many of the goalkeepers the No. 2 Terps have faced so far this season have had standout performances. Temple’s Lizzy Millen made 17 saves during the Terps’ second game of the season, while Drexel netminder Jantien Gunter had 16 saves on Sunday.
The Terps’ relentless offense has much to do with these marks, as their consistent pressure keeps opposing goalkeepers busy. But on Friday, the Monarchs were able to mount their own attack, giving Hunter her first true test of the season, and she was up for the task.
“That’s what kind of happened to [Natalie] on Friday night,” coach Missy Meharg said. “She had a breakthrough kind of evening.”
Against the Dragons, however, Hunter didn’t have the same efficiency. She encountered little pressure during the game, but when Drexel broke into the striking circle, she couldn’t stop them from scoring. Hunter had no saves and allowed two goals in the game.
Still, the performance didn’t affect her mentality. When playing in a game where she is not receiving as much pressure, Hunter maintains confidence in her abilities.
“I’m not getting too disappointed if I do let in a goal,” she said. “I try to stay as positive and as even-tempered as I can throughout the game.”
Hunter’s performance against Drexel isn’t likely to be replicated often, considering she gave up an average of just 1.64 goals per game last year. So far, she is on track to improve slightly on that mark, allowing 1.56 goals on average.
Of course, the Terps would rather have Hunter stand in front of the goal while the rest of the team finds its way through the opposing defense. But if the team encounters heavy pressure like it did against the Monarchs on Friday, Hunter has proven the Terps can be confident with her behind them.
“She’s one of the players that you can rely on,” Sprink said. “She’s got our back and we know she can do it.”
