Oct. 30, 2002
Field hockey followers, opposing coaches and pollsters across the country cannot help but notice that the Lafayette field hockey team is rewriting the Patriot League offensive record books, and muscling its way to the top of the national offensive statistics.
However, lost in the fanfare has been the play of Leopard net minder Casey Devlin who has been stoically watching and waiting from half a field away.
Devlin has spent much of the year under the national radar, but like it or not she will be a key ingredient in the Leopards' push in the postseason because in the end, defense still wins championships.
The junior goaltender has waited patiently for two seasons for her chance to shine, backing up Leopard standout Amy Cohen.
"We were in a great situation as a team because we really had two goalies that could have started for us," head coach Ann Gold said. "Casey waited patiently and was very supportive of her teammates, and her attitude has been a key to our success in years past as well."
Admittedly, the time on the sideline helped Devlin sharpen some of her weaknesses as a goaltender.
"Watching Amy taught me how to prepare mentally for a game, how to talk to my teammates and improve my weaknesses," Devlin said. "I gained valuable experience and got a different perspective of our team."
The torch was finally passed to Devlin at the start of last season's spring sessions and the junior has been improving as a goalie and maturing as a leader by the day.
"Being vocal is a big part of being a goal keeper, and I was not being vocal enough," Devlin said.
Now a vocal leader and the Leopards' field general, Devlin's biggest impact has arguably been her ability to manage the defense and the midfield, giving them the confidence to be more aggressive which in turn boosts the Leopards' scoring chances.
"Having confidence in a goaltender changes the thinking for the entire defensive unit," Gold said. "Our defenders and midfielders can go through and be aggressive and committed to the attack without worrying about what is going on behind them."
Devlin has certainly gained the confidence of her teammates in the Leopards' current win streak, giving up only 18 goals in 15 games. She moves from post to post better than anyone in the Patriot League, boasting a .816 save percentage on top of three shutouts in five conference contests. Overall, her numbers are comparable if not better than the nation's best net minders. She ranks ninth overall in save percentage, 15th in total saves (111) and 18th in goals against average (1.43).
Like a true leader, the selfless Devlin attributes her stellar numbers to an unsung defensive unit, including the likes of three-year starters Kristen Chiusano and Melissa Hoh, and her confidence and tight on-field relationship with sweeper Megan Kreutzer.
"Without a doubt, my personal success is a reflection of our defense," Devlin said. "A lot of players on our defense go unnoticed, but they have been doing a great job of getting the balls on the sticks of our scorers all year long."
Devlin is not just singing the praises of the defense either. She attributes a majority of her success to the Leopards' offense, arguably the most prolific in Patriot League history, which comes charging at her during every Lafayette practice.
Devlin has become used to staring down what she calls, "the best shot in the league" off the stick of teammate Megan Monahan, and credits her improved footwork and positioning to "Jennifer Stone's great speed and stick work."
If her numbers are still not convincing enough, Devlin has elevated her game when the spotlight has been brightest, in overtime.
During the Leopards' 15-game win streak the Leopards are 3-0 in overtime, where Devlin has been flawless for all 40:30 minutes of sudden death.
No game better exemplified how valuable Devlin has been to Lafayette than the Oct. 15 match up with nationally respected Delaware.
On the line for the Leopards was their chance to set a Patriot League record with 12 consecutive wins, and their lone opportunity to prove their worth against a nationally respected non-conference opponent.
After surrendering two goals midway through the game, Devlin regrouped and came up strong in the second half, giving her team a chance. The Leopards responded and tied the score with two late goals to force overtime.
In the first overtime the Blue Hens turned the tables on Lafayette's momentum and had the Leopards reeling. That is when Devlin single handedly shut down the Delaware offense.
By game's end she had held Delaware scoreless for the game's final 40 minutes, including an unconscious performance in the first overtime when she stopped nine Blue Hen shots and stared down seven penalty corners. "Delaware came at us in the first overtime and we were still trying to get our legs back," Devlin said. "I was just trying to hold them off to give my teammates time to get back into the rhythm of the game."
Lafayette won 3-2 and head coach Ann Gold lauded Devlin's performance.
"Casey was absolutely determined not to let them score," Gold said. "She played spectacular in goal and willed us to victory."
The game was a defining moment in the Leopards' season. The win was not only Lafayette 12th straight, a Patriot League record, but it validated the belief on College Hill that Devlin had arrived.
"She has been a key person for us all season, and we could not be as successful as a team without her," Gold said.
The high-powered Lafayette offense has put the Leopards into position for a Patriot League championship. However, the old adage that defense wins championships is not scaring the 2002 Leopards because of the play of their fearless net minder Casey Devlin.
