Emily Trupp described herself as a lone wolf to a Princess Margaret Mustangs field hockey co-coach.
“I always ask them little questions about themselves to get to know each other,” said Brenda Kelly, the Mustangs co-coach. “I said, What’s your favorite animal? She said a wolf. She’s quite an individual. I think often as a goalkeeper, you are on your own.”
Trupp, entering her second and final season as the Mustangs goalie, said it has been fun playing her position, but admitted it gets boring at times. Trupp saw no action in the final 10 to 15 minutes of a 3-0 win over the Summerland Rockets on Wednesday.
“It can also be the most exciting part of the game,” said Trupp, whose a goalkeeper in soccer and plays defence in hockey. “It’s all keeping your mind in the game.”
Kelly said Trupp has done “amazingly well” in goal. Since last season, Trupp, in Grade 12, has gained more confidence, according to Kelly who said Trupp has strong game sense. When necessary, Trupp isn’t afraid to charge out of her crease and possesses the strength to kick the ball out to centre field. Her play has earned the praise of other coaches.
At the Oliver Fall Festival, Trupp collected three shutouts in a victory and two ties. She credited her success to the great play of her teammates who always back her up.
“The first couple of games I didn’t get many shots but that’s OK,” she said. “The team was doing great. In the last game we absolutely got attacked. We weren’t prepared for that.”
Her focus for the season is clear — Trupp wants to improve in all aspects, including her kicks and being quicker. Trupp leans on her teammates as well as coaches Mark Hartmann and Christy Bevington for feedback. She became the Mustangs goalie when no one else showed interest in the position. Trupp adds her soccer experience is something she can fall back on.
“It’s pretty much the same thing, just a smaller goal,” she said. “It’s keeping me centered. Make sure I got a wide range. I can angle people off.”
While Trupp’s teammates can count on her to keep the ball out, Kelly is confident her teammates will provide enough offence for success.
“We have good goalscorers,” said Kelly.
They showed it against the Rockets as Makeena Hartmann, Emily Bowen and Maria Schottenhaml scored and each assisted on goals.
Trupp and the Mustangs return to action on Oct.3 when they host the South Kamloops Titans at 4 p.m.