Hurricane Warning: Villa off to hot start under new coach Katie Evans
MALVERN—Sure, the Villa Maria field hockey team long ago established itself as one of the top field hockey programs in the state, if not the nation. Win two state titles in four years time, reach state finals four times in the past six years, and there is little doubt there’s a culture of winning in that sport at Villa, one that goes back decades really.
Still, when you bring in a new coach, there might be a few hiccups as the team and coach adjust to one another. That has not been the case at Villa, where Katie Evans becomes just the fourth head field hockey coach at Villa in 40-plus years.
So far, the Hurricanes are unbeaten and untested at 3-0, and have outscored their opponents by a margin of 29-2.
“It’s been a pretty easy transition, really,” said 2017 DLN Player of the Year Hannah Miller, who has already scored 12 goals on the year. “She’s got a lot of experience, and the fact that she played here herself, she understands what Villa field hockey means.. We’re all really excited to have her here and to see what we can do.”
Evans is a 2003 graduate of Villa Maria, and played under legendary Hall of Fame coach Maurene Polley. As she climbed the ladder on various USA Field Hockey national teams, she was also afforded the opportunity to play for Daan Polders, who guided the Hurricanes to the pair of recent state titles.
“I’m just so thrilled to be back at Villa,” said Evans. “Maurene Polley set such a great standard back when I was here, and of course Daan did a fantastic job, really raising the level of the entire program. It’s amazing to come here and see just how talented these girls are. And it’s not just a skill level—there’s a maturity as well.”
As an alumnus, Evans is more than respectful of the legacy here predecessors have left. But she’s also excited for the chance to put her own stamp on the program.
“I like to think that I have an approach that is basically a combination of Maurene and Daan,” said Evans. “The thing that I’m trying to do is that I don’t want to come in and just change everything from what Daan did. I think I’m smart enough to know not to try to fix things that aren’t broken. I’m just really excited to come back and be a part of the Villa community again.”
Tuesday afternoon, the Hurricanes played host to St Basil’s, and notched win number three by a score of 16-0. It was 10-0 by halftime.
“Our attacking and finishing has been unreal with girls like Hannah Miller up there,” said Evans. “Then you have girls like Mary Harkins and Adele Iacobucci bringing the ball up with Hannah to finish, it has just been amazing. Those three are such a special group, and with all the support around them, we haven’t shown any real weaknesses yet.”
Nine different Hurricanes found the back of the cage against St. Basil’s. Miller led the way with four. Harkins, Iacobucci, Margie Cardern and Ahnfeesa Fitzpatrick each had a pair, along with single goals from Shay Burns, Annie Shaw, Kara Maniscalco and Ryan Hickey.
Defensively, the Hurricanes were flawless. Rare was a Magic trip to their offensive half, and St Basil didn’t force a single penalty corner or get off a shot on goal.
St Basil 0 0 –0
Villa 10 6 –16
Goals: Miller (4), Harkins (2), Carden (2) Fitzpatrick (2) Burns, Shaw, Maniscalco, Hickey
Goalie saves: Campion (StB) 25, VMA none
