Dominance

She is an unstoppable threat to her opponents, but to the Keene State College field hockey team she is an asset and valuable teammate.

Junior Erin Dallas has just completed her second year as a skilled midfielder on the KSC team. Dallas transferred to KSC her sophomore year after playing field hockey for the University of Michigan, a division one school, and her arrival proved to be vital for the Owls.

This season Dallas scored thirteen goals accompanied by thirteen assists. For the second straight year she received first team All-American honors by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. The team finished with a record of 18 wins and six losses and won its fifth straight Little East Conference (LEC) Championship.

"It definitely felt amazing to win my second LEC," Dallas said.

Dallas said all the winning titles shows how strong KSC field hockey has been since its start. She added that it's amazing the team continues to make it to the championships after losing valuable seniors each year.

"We know that our program can still compete through the years," Dallas said.

Although there were many great wins for the squad this semester, they agreed there was no better victory than the championship game.

"Winning the championship game against Plymouth on our turf was the best," junior Carly Benning said. "All of us went into this game with a positive attitude and wanted to take the win."

Dallas recalled one of her favorite and proudest memories of the season taking place in the championships.

"When I made a goal doing the skill called a drag flick during the Plymouth game it was definitely my favorite memory," Dallas said. "I have never done one before in a game and it is a very hard skill to do."

Dallas credited much of her success to her ability to read other players.

"I am very good at reading opponents," Dallas said. "I know what they are going to do with the ball before they even do it."

Dallas' teammates talked about her talent and her impact as a player. Junior Lindy Caslin said Dallas is a very smart player.

"Erin has amazing skills and endurance," Caslin said. "She has the ability to move people on the field to where they really need to be on the field."

Caslin also said Dallas could see five balls ahead of what is going on and has great accuracy in her passes.

Benning agreed with Caslin's comments, adding that Dallas' leadership skills also contributed a lot to the team's success.

"Erin is a good field leader. She communicates well with everyone on the field," Benning said.

Caslin said Dallas always takes time to help her teammates become stronger players.

"She helps players and almost molds them to what they need to be or do," Caslin said. "Erin would always take the time to help players understand certain plays or skills such as the corner drill."

Caslin said Dallas has personally helped her with her field hockey skills, particularly helping her one-on-one with strokes.

"It was nice and a good memory of all the times of Erin helping me, and being there when I would score a goal with a new stroke she taught me," Caslin said.

Benning said she also appreciates all the things Dallas has taught her as both a teammate and friend.

"Erin taught me a lot. Specifically she taught me to speak my mind more, get my point across and to not be so quiet," Benning said. "Erin is very vocal and will tell you something straight up, which is something I have taken away from her and learned."

Benning also said Dallas was notably more confident this season.

"I think that was because she had one year with the team under her belt," said Benning. "She knew everyone this season and I think that gave her a certain presence on the team and field that you could notice."

Dallas said an injury she suffered this season helped her become a more involved and determined player.

"My knee injury this season really taught me a lot. Before me injury happened this season I have never had an injury that I wasn't able to play through," said Dallas. "I learned how to emotionally handle not being able to play and as a result it has made me stronger as a player."

As for next season, Dallas said she wants to have more time to work with her teammates.

"I want to be able to help players work on different skills they want to learn," said Dallas. "This past season some players asked for my help and I wasn't always available to help them the way I should. Next season I hope to find the time to help all of my teammates who want it."

After another successful season, the KSC field hockey team looks forward to continuing its success next year. They also look forward to another season with the talent, leadership and support of Dallas.

"Erin is a great teammate, she is very dependable on and off the field," said Caslin.