Kauffman Starting to Come into Her Own
6/21/1999 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 20, 1998
A year ago, sophomore back Molly Kauffman was a reserve on a Maryland field hockey team that had seven seniors in the starting lineup. On most other NCAA teams, Kauffman, who was a 1996 high school All-American, would have been a starter. Maryland, however, not only had those seven seniors but two other high school All-Americans in its freshman class (Carla Tagliente and Keli Smith).
One year later, things have changed drastically for Kauffman. Through six games, including today's 2-0 win over American, she leads the Terps with 11 total points, is tied first in assists (with five), tied for second with three goals and leads the team with three defensive saves.
Kauffman has had a stellar field hockey career both on the high school as well as the international level. She was a member of the U.S. Under-19 team this past summer and was involved in the USFHA Futures Program during high school. Still, on a team with two returning All-Americans (Jen Pratt and Tagliente), she worked extensively over the summer to make the leap from a reserve to a team leader.
"Molly did a tremendous job this summer," said Maryland head coach Missy Meharg. "She worked really hard over to put herself into the position she is in now
Sensing that Kauffman would be one of the team's focal points, Meharg moved her to the center-halfback position this season where her leadership would help the team most.
"The center halfback position really puts Molly in the pinnacle of the team," Meharg said. "She is handling the switch really well and is the epitome of a team player."
Kauffman's commitment to the team has been evident on both the offensive and defensive ends of the field this season. In the Sept. 2 season-opening win over Richmond, she scored a goal and tallied two assists. Against Michigan State on Sept. 7, she scored a goal and had an assist as the Terps won 4-1. In the Terps' dramatic 2-1 double-overtime win over then-No. 11 Michigan on Sept. 5, Kauffman had a team-leading two defensive saves.
The Terps are hoping for several more impressive games from Kauffman, for the next three weeks of their schedule are the most challenging of the regular season. In any case, the improvement Kauffman has made over the past year has already had a positive impact on the rest of the team."
The team responds really well to Molly and she is a good listener." Said Meharg, "She is doing great right now."
