Anything can happen early in a season, especially when new freshmen take the field for the first time. It’s a fresh start for a team and sets a precedent for the coming months.
The No. 7 Michigan field hockey team took advantage of those new opportunities by beating Bellarmine in a statement 13-0 win. But the win wasn’t just a team milestone, it also shed light on the team’s freshman members, who made strides with their strengths on the field.
One specific freshman who capitalized on her strengths was back Maxine Rogge, who scored her first career goal for the Wolverines’ first goal of the match.
“(Rogge) came in for preseason ready to go,” Michigan coach Kristi Gannon Fisher said. “… She showed up not only polished on the field, but one of our fittest players, so we’re able to leave her on for most of the game, which is awesome as a freshman. … She’s going to be a huge impact player for us this year.”
That one goal ultimately led Rogge to thrive throughout the match, rendering herself a dominant force on the field. Her “ready to go” attitude proved crucial in helping the Wolverines achieve their overwhelming win, assisting in two more goals. But Michigan’s goals — both the one she scored and those she assisted — resulted from the teamwork that permeated the field.
“When you score a goal, it’s with your team,” Rogge said. “And I had great support from the team. Without them, I couldn’t score my goal.”
The team-centric attitude exhibited by Rogge pushed Michigan towards its success on the field. She capitalized on her preseason strengths by quickly adapting to the team’s playing style — a tough task for those still learning new turf.
Throughout the second half, the Wolverines’ ferocity increased, with Rogge’s game following the same path. Her assist in graduate forward Abby Tamer’s goal during the third quarter led the Knights to switch their goalkeeper, emphasizing the strength of Michigan’s teamwork. This moment was not the only instance of Tamer and Rogge’s collaboration, as Rogge assisted Tamer’s goal in the first quarter.
“Everybody’s mentality is so good,” Rogge said. “We all fight with the team and that’s something I want to do. … Everybody had the same plan and I think that’s what gave us the victory.”
The match against Bellarmine marked a significant point in the Wolverines’ early season play, giving them the motivation to ramp up their competitiveness. It set a path for Rogge to have a strong early performance setting her up as a potential force to be reckoned with among a team full of fighters.
The post Freshman Maxine Rogge helps Michigan shut out Bellarmine appeared first on The Michigan Daily.
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