Field Hockey Focus with Allison Schaefer
10/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
With the Liberty field hockey team preparing its final regular season BIG EAST match against Temple on Friday, LibertyFlames.com spotlights Allison Schaefer in its field hockey focus series.
Schaefer is a freshman goalkeeper from Millersville, Pa., and has started in goal in all 14 matches this season for the Lady Flames.
Schaefer has received numerous accolades early in her Liberty career. She was named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week earlier this year and was also named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll. In addition, she was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 10 and was recognized at the national level on Oct. 12, when she was selected honorable mention on the Longstreth/NFHCA Division I Weekly Awards.
In the national rankings, Schaefer is currently 13th in saves per game (6.64) and 26th in save percentage (.721).
The freshman now has 93 saves this season, which is second-most in a single season in program history. She has reached double digits in saves four times this season. Schaefer has recorded a season-high 12 saves on two occasions, at then-No. 4 Duke on Aug. 28 and at home against No. 4 North Carolina this past Sunday.
Tell us your recruiting story and how you came to Liberty.
Schaefer: Coach [Jodi Murphy] had seen me play in a tournament by accident, and I guess I did something good because she kept coming back to watch me play at other tournaments as well! After that, I started coming to camps and clinics and really getting to know the coaches and the players here at the time. I knew Liberty was the right choice for me because I fit in here better than I did anywhere else. The team was so welcoming. Although I was looking at some other schools, LU was the only place that really seemed like home. I committed at the end of my sophomore year, and the rest is history!
What has been your favorite class so far at Liberty, and why?
Schaefer: I really enjoy Theater Appreciation! In the class, you have a group project that continues throughout the entire semester. It really allows you to get to know some pretty awesome people as well as learn to work together. It's also a ton of fun learning about the different elements of theater and how many different roles must be filled in order to produce a show.
What has been the biggest difference between college field hockey and high school field hockey?
Schaefer: It's a lot faster than high school was. One thing that is specifically different is corners. In high school, the shot tended to be slower and therefore easier to save, but now I have to lay down in front of the shot to save it most of the time.
What do your parents do for work? Do you have siblings? If so, how old are they and where are they in school?
Schaefer: My mom, Melissa, is an ultrasound technician at Lancaster General Health and my dad, Ron, is a credit officer for BB&T Bank. I have three siblings: Justin (17) and Matt and Lisa (15, twins). Justin is a senior at Penn Manor High School, and Matt and Lisa are sophomores.
Is your hometown of Millersville, Pa., known for anything in particular?
Schaefer: Millersville is known mainly for Millersville University. Lancaster County, on the other hand, is known for Spooky Nook Sports and the Amish!
What has been your impression of competing in the BIG EAST Conference in your first year, as well as playing against several of the top schools in the nation?
Schaefer: Going into the season, I was a little intimidated by our schedule. Syracuse, Duke, UNC and UConn were teams that I heard about a lot back home and were known for being good. But as we began playing and really getting into our games, the intimidation turned into confidence in the team. I know that as long as we play as a unit, we can take down any opponent that comes our way. I'm excited to continue playing in the BIG EAST for my college career!
What is your favorite place on Liberty's campus or surrounding area and why?
Schaefer: The field hockey turf. It's like the team's sanctuary, and it's where I worship God best by using the gift He gave me and working hard to improve. I'm so thankful for the opportunity that he gave me to continue hockey after high school, and I want to show him that every day.
