Although she calls herself a normal college student, field hockey goalie Alyssa Poorman is anything but ordinary on and off the field. For the sophomore from Doylestown, Pa., field hockey is certainly not just another sport. Practicing alongside her teammates every morning and training most afternoons, Poorman admits that the schedule is rigorous, but attributes her successes to the sport.
"The practice schedule is hard, but you have to work hard to play hard," she said. "I think field hockey makes me a better student. Utilizing your time properly is necessary."
Poorman found an interest in field hockey at age 13. She decided to join the middle-school team after learning about field hockey's similarities to lacrosse.
It's hard to imagine that a goalie as exceptional as Poorman seemed to have defaulted into the position. When asked why she chose to play goalie, Poorman replied modestly that all field hockey sticks are right-handed. Left-handed sticks, something she said would be necessary if she were to play a field position, do not exist. Goalies don't depend upon their sticks as much as field players do. The use of pads makes it possible for goalies to stop goals without having to use sticks.
Poorman has been committed to her sport for several years. It is terrifying for many athletes like her when they have to face the fact that they may never play their sport again. Poorman said she "would love to continue to play the sport," but said that's something that shouldn't be determined until after college.
As a sophomore, Poorman has two more years to decide whether she will continue to play. She plans on majoring in environmental studies, and decided to come to AU based on academics; she also found the class sizes appealing and the surroundings perfect.
"The location of AU is great - you have D.C. at your fingertips; it's just a hop on the Metro away," she said.
Although Poorman is constantly busy with field hockey and working on her saves, she still finds time to enjoy D.C.
"I'm a normal college student," Poorman said. "I like to hang out, meet new people, explore D.C. - anything really that can entertain me for a prolonged period of time."
Poorman's relationship with her teammates is one to be admired. The goalie lives with forward Savannah Graybill, and even though the two play against each other in practice, their rivalry ends on the field.
"I'm really close, ironically, with forward Savannah Graybill - it makes for some interesting practices," she said.
According to Poorman, her relationship with the rest of the team is strong as well.
"We have our fun, be it playing kickball the day before the game or playing tricks on random people on the team, but when it comes down to getting what we have to get done, we mean business," she said.
Poorman credited her coaches for making time on the team enjoyable and serious, and said they do a good job balancing the professional side of the game along with the fun it has to offer.
The goalie sets high standards for herself and her fellow teammates. When it comes to discussing her accomplishments, including the five shutouts she helped the team achieve this year, she credits her teammates with helping her defend the goal as well.
"There is no way I could possibly have done it by myself," she said. "I think that right now the defensive unit is settling into place, and it really shows when we post so many shutouts."
Poorman said it would be special to the team if the student body came out to meets, games and matches to show support.
The "AU community is really missing out on the great athletic programs the school has to offer," she said.
While she hopes the AU community starts attending more games, the goal she sets for herself is pretty simple: "Keep the balls out of the net." You can catch Poorman's saves at the team's next home game Oct. 21.
