Wolverine Spotlight Q&A. Shannon Scavelli
9/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Senior forward Shannon Scavelli has ranked among Michigan's top offensive threats throughout her collegiate career and currently leads U-M with five goals this season -- all of which came over U-M's current six-game winning streak. The Wolverine captain and a 2014 NFHCA All-West Regional second team selection, she is already just two goals shy of her career best in the category.
With the Wolverines preparing to hit the road for a Big Ten weekend at Maryland and Rutgers, Scavelli took some time before practice to talk about Michigan's improving attack, the talented crop of freshmen and her experience with the national indoor team last summer.
Q. After struggling to score the first few games, it seems like the forwards are really starting to click well. What goes into that? Becoming more comfortable with each other or just fine-tuning?
A. I think it's a combination of both. It's has a lot to do with getting to know your teammates better, practicing with them more, realizing their tendencies and finding out who you work well with. I think earlier in the season we had good opportunities, and now we're finishing on them and really capitalizing on what we have.
Q. What's the difference between putting the ball into the cage versus not? It seems like a fine line.
A. Sometimes it's being in the right place at the right time and being physically ready. Sometimes you'll cut right and the ball goes left, and it looks like you should have had it. Game play can be unpredictable, so you have to be ready all the time. I think our team, as a whole, has done a better job of being down and ready in the circle.
Q. We've had a number of different goal scorers this year. How does that benefit our offense?
A. It makes us hard to scout. Opponents can't just key off of one person, which makes us hard to defend. I think that's one of our strengths going into games. Anyone can go out there, make a difference and get on the scoreboard.
Q. We have several talented freshmen who are competing quite a bit early on. What does that bring to the team?
A. When younger player come in and compete, it's definitely an energy boost to the whole team. Our freshmen are very fast. Speed kills out there. Look at early in that Penn State game; Lydia (Sydnor) gets it at the 50-yard line and in 10 steps, she's in the circle. It brings the energy level up. Everyone wants to compete at that level too.
Q. Although we've played them close recently, it's been several years since we've won against Maryland. How do we get over the hump?
A. The last two years we've played them, it's been penalty corners that have decided the matches. We've really stressed corner defense and attack this year, and after giving up a few corner goals last weekend, it was particular emphasis this week in practice. We just want to go out there this weekend, play with heart, stick to the game plan and hopefully come home with a couple wins.
Q. You were selected to the national indoor squad over the summer. How was that experience?
A. We trained all summer every couple weeks in Pennsylvania. The session were about four hours long, and they were pretty intense. It's been a great experience. I think it helped quite a bit coming into the season. My stick-handling skills have definitely improved from playing inside as well as my mental speed of execution. I'd love to keep playing after college, every opportunity I can.
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