Wolverine Spotlight Q&A: Sam Swenson
9/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 17, 2015
• U-M to Welcome No. 18 PSU Friday, Host KSU Sunday
Sophomore goalkeeper Sam Swenson was named Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week on the heels of a strong nine-save, one-goal-allowed effort in Wolverine wins against Vermont and Davidson. Swenson has been particularly strong in the cage this season, boasting a 1.04 goals-against average and a .793 save percentage, while her defense has allowed just 8.33 shots per game over the opening three weekends.
A native of Harrogate, England, and a member of England's Under-21 Team prior to her arrival in Michigan, Swenson was thrown into immediate action as a freshman last year and fared well, posting a 13-6 record with a 1.34 GAA and .716 save percentage. With the addition of her shutout effort against Providence this season, she owns four complete-game shutouts in her career.
As the Wolverines prepare to kick off Big Ten Conference play this weekend, Swenson took some time before practice to discuss her areas of improvement since last year, her backfield and the fine line between playing aggressive and too aggressive.
Q. Do you think you've improved from last year to now? Assuming that's a yes, what areas have you grown?
A. I think I've improved. I'd say definitely in my decision making with regards to joining a new team and adapting to a new defense. Some of my skills have gotten a bit more refined, so I can start focusing on more developed things which is helping me in games. I also feel more confident, and that has a lot to do with it. That's all down to the rest of the team. We have a great cohesion. By the end of last year, I was starting to feel more comfortable and confident, and was able to bring that into this year.
Q. Was it luxury for you last year to come in and play behind such a strong defense? Does that ease the transition?
A. Definitely. I'm not sure how I would have done it without them. Having them back me up -- even if I made a mistake -- that helps so much. It's hard to play your best when you're behind a disconnected defense. Instead they bring the best out of me.
Q. After not facing very many shots for several games, you faced several in the Davidson game and came up with a number of big saves. Is that more gratifying for a goalkeeper?
A. I'm quite happy not facing many shots. I love having action, but for the team, it's always good to keep it far away from me. Saying that, it's good that when it does come down to us, the defense can stand out own and keep the ball out.
Q. How is American field hockey different than English field hockey?
A. It's small things. I think everywhere you go in the world, it's slightly different, like the terminology, but the general concepts are the same -- back four, back three, same rotations in the midfield. There's similarities and differences in goalkeeping, too. It's not that much different; easy to adapt to.
Q. Are you good at keeping your mindset the same regardless of the score?
A. I'd like to think that I am. There's obviously a little less pressure when we're up a couple of goals, but you can never take that for granted or take your mind off the goal. When your team is down a goal, it just drives you to be sharper and more aggressive. The passion comes out a little more. You want to fight back to keep us in it. Everyone does that, not just the goalkeeper.
Q. What's the balance between being aggressive and too aggressive in goal?
A. The biggest thing is controlled aggression. You can't just go flying around and taking people out. But if you're strong and assertive in your saves and on the field and if you can funnel that passion into your actions, that's a controlled aggression. It's a fine line. That's an area in which I've improved.
• Previous Entry: Courtney Enge
