RallyNorth.net

Foye scoring at blistering pace for unbeaten Hornets

Thursday, September, 27 By Nick Curcuru
Staff writer

Over the last five years, the Manchester Essex field hockey team has been a powerhouse, making the Division 2 North semifinals in each season during that span.

This fall, the Hornets are hoping to finally get past that point, and Molly Foye is doing everything in her power to help accomplish that goal.

The senior captain and three-year starter at left wing has been simply dominant offensively for Manchester Essex. In a sport where goals are often very few and far between, the captain has notched a remarkable 10 goals and six assists through her team's first eight games. Those statistics have also translated into wins, as the Hornets held a 7-0 record before dropping their first game of the season yesterday against North Andover.

"Molly is really coachable and hard working," coach Pam Grant said. "Her stick work is incredible this year and she has worked really hard to get to that point."

Foye is following up a 2006 campaign in which she led the Hornets in scoring with 12 goals. She is on pace to shatter that mark in 2007, as the 20-goal plateau is well within reach.

"I worked really hard this offseason so we could improve as a team," Foye said. "We always strive to improve our play, even when we win.

"I love playing with my teammates, we have a lot of fun on the field. "We all have confidence in each other and our play is very fluid and exciting because of that."

Despite Foye's knack for scoring goals, Grant says that Foye's primary concern is getting her teammates involved first.

"Molly never focuses on scoring," Grant said. "Her main focus is setting up her teammates and winning, but she has a lot of talent so she is going to get a lot of goals." Grant also credits Foye with her quiet-but-effective leadership.

"Molly leads by example," Grant said. "Her play on the field speaks for itself."

Foye has recently been hampered by a sprained ankle, but neither Foye nor the Hornets have felt the setback. The left winger has played some of her best field hockey of the season, scoring six goals and five assists with the injury.

According to Foye, her strengths are shooting and stickhandling, and she hopes that those skills will help take the Hornets past the Division 2 North semifinals. But she also knows that there is a lot more field hockey to be played in the regular season.

"Our goal this season is to make it past the semifinals," Foye said. "Each game is a stepping stone for us and we need to take it one step at a time."

All in all, Grant and the Hornets are happy to have a player of Foye's caliber on the team.

"Molly has been a huge asset to this team since she has been here," Grant said. "She is great to have on the team and a great girl to coach."