Wolverine Spotlight: Mackenzie Ellis
10/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
A two-year mainstay in the Wolverine backfield, senior/junior Mackenzie Ellis is a leader among U-M's strong defensive corps, which has allowed just 8.6 shots per game this season and a slim 1.60 goals-against average, including three shutouts.
As the Wolverines prepare to return to the road with big weekend matchups against Indiana and Louisville, Mackenzie sat down one afternoon to discuss the team's strong defensive unit, their confidence in freshman goalkeeper Sam Swenson and Michigan's ability to stay poised in pressure situations.
Q. How do you feel the team is progressing as the season wears on?
A. I think a lot of our team's success so far this season has come from dealing with adversity. We started the season by spending three weeks in Virginia Beach. That wasn't necessarily the ideal situation, but we did a great job rolling with the punches. Not everything has gone our way, but we're confident that we're capable of overcoming any obstacle in our path -- because we'll face it as a team. Our team chemistry is great. I think that obviously lends itself to success.
Q. It's been said that our defense is among our biggest strengths this season. What does that look like and where does it come from?
A. I think the fact that we have three players in the backfield right now that have been playing together consistently for the past two years has had a huge impact. We communicate really well with each other, we're good friends off the field and get along really well; I think that also helps. Our age and experience also helps and lends a lot of confidence. We're always playing with the same person, so you know their strengths and weaknesses -- know that they can and cannot do. That's the biggest thing.
Q. As some of our young attackers continue to gain more experience, is the defense in a good position to keep us in any game until the goals come?
A. As defenders, we don't score. So, we can't necessarily win us games, but we can help keep us in games and keep us from losing games. Defense tends to be all guts, no glory; that's just the name of the game. We find our glory in winning games. We're proud of the fact that we've outscored our opponents by a lot this season. It also suggests that we're not only strong on defense; our attack is a strength as well.
Q. How much have you seen goalie Sam Swenson develop and progress over the last several weeks?
A. I think her confidence has increased a lot. That's huge, because it helps keep her in the game mentally and physically. There have been games where she hasn't faced a lot of shots, but when she has faced shots in important, close games, she's made some great saves. I'm confident in her ability. There's no doubt in my mind. That's the biggest measure of improvement and talent from a defender's perspective -- you trust them. That trust has certainly grown over the course of the season. So, that's probably a great indicator as to how she has progressed.
Q. The team has battled through some close games the last couple weeks and won the majority of them. Is the ability to stay poised in those pressure situations a strong suit of this team?
A. A huge part of the game is getting up when you're down, fighting back and not allowing your mistakes to seal your fate. We realize that when things aren't going our way, that doesn't need to be the end all be all. We are the masters of our own fate. I think we do a good job of being positive in those situations and communicating the fact that we can do it. Nothing is impossible, especially with this team. That positive communication is so strong that it really helps us through those close games.
• Previous Spotlight: Ainsley McCallister
