By Justin Grant - STAFF WRITER

Currently sitting at 11-4 in regular season play, the Hofstra Pride field hockey team is hungry for a 12th victory. They will be given that chance in a game against rival team Northeastern University on Oct. 23rd in Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to their recent game against the University of Delaware, I had the chance to interview Simca Schoen, CAA Rookie of the Year for the Pride and third in leading points on the team. I delved deep into her personal life and her experiences on a moving athletic team, and she gave me insightful and intriguing feedback about herself and her team as a whole. 

Justin Grant: “When did you first start playing field hockey?”

Simca Schoen: “I started in 1999, so I was four years old and I got into it once my mother took me to the first field hockey practice.”

JG: “What was it like transitioning from playing in Germany to America?”

SS: “It is a different style here. Fitness is the number one priority over technical stuff [here]. The team practices a lot with stick skills. We spend a lot of time on defense plays and analyze other teams and also spend a lot of time in the weight rooms running and exercising.”

JG: “What got you motivated to play field hockey in the first place?”

SS: “My mother played when she was a kid, so I figured I would try it out too, and I ended up liking the sport. My brother also played field hockey before I did.”

JG: “What’s it like playing on the same team as your sister, Stella Schoen?”

SS: “I’m a defender midfielder so I spend more time in the outletting part of the game. We are definitely similar in that we played in the same clubs for most of our lives. I try to work my way up to my sister, Stella. You can definitely tell us apart from the rest of the team.”   

JG: “What are some things that you are aware of that the team could work on?”

SS: “I think the team is a lot smarter at the technical stuff, we have only one to two different game plans, and we aren’t studying our opponents well enough. I think we need to focus more on scrimmaging and technical stuff.”

JG: “What’s your mindset before a game? Are there any pre-game rituals?”

SS: “Before the game the coach would deliver a speech to the team, and after, the team will come together to tell each other to not be afraid of our opponents and be confident in winning this game.”

JG: “What’s your goal for the future? Where do you see yourself once you graduate?”

SS: “Umm … that’s a good question. I will continue to play field hockey, that is for sure.”

JG: “Are there any things in life that you look back on and wish it didn’t happen?”

SS: “I mean I think everyone has something they regret. Sometimes you just have to accept what happened, move forward, and deal with the situation that you are in by making it the best that you can.”

JG: “Would you see yourself playing major field hockey if it was around? For example, there is WNBA.” 

“I mean we actually have it at home just like we have soccer at home. I might continue to play it when I’m home, however, my sister will stay in school to get her PhD, so she might quit playing.”