Confidence is key

Confidence. This was the sentiment echoed by Meg Flatley, her teammate Emma Erler, and her head coach Robin Balducci regarding the redshirt freshman’s recent success. This newfound confidence seems to be paying dividends, not only for Flatley but for the University of New Hampshire women’s field hockey team as well.

“Every game my confidence has been growing, and it has really helped out a lot,” Flatley said “The girls have really been helping me with that.”

Flatley entered Sunday’s game against No. 7 Northeastern on a four game goal streak, the longest active streak for the Wildcats. She continued her torrid pace by putting in the game-winner in the second overtime to give UNH the victory and extend her goal scoring streak to five. 

This recent success for Flatley comes as no surprise to teammate and captain Emma Erler. 

“[Last year] even at practice she was very timid, we knew she had speed and we knew she had skill,” Erler said. “This year she’s been a totally new player, she has a lot of confidence when she plays.” 

Head coach Robin Balducci shared the same sentiment as Erler regarding Flatley’s recent play.

“It’s just a confidence thing with her,” Balducci said. “She’s got tremendous speed, she’s got good physical presence.”

Flatley was recently honored with the award of America East Rookie of the Week.

Flatley knows that confidence is not the only thing that will help improve her game, and that it goes hand in hand with experience.

“You need experience to gain the confidence to play on the field,” Erler said.

Luckily for Flatley, experience is something that will only continue to grow.

For her individually, her experience playing field hockey dates back to her times in middle school. Flatley, a Townshend, Mass. native, says it was her sister who really got her into the game. 

“I’ve been playing [field hockey] since seventh grade, and I’ve always really enjoyed it,” Flatley said. “I couldn’t imagine not playing it. I don’t know what I would do.”

Flatley is looking forward to growing as a player and hoping for more team success. 

“I’d like to improve my skills, to continue to be scoring like I am,” Flatley said. “As a team I’d really like to win America East again, and go to the NCAA’s.”

 “I want her to use her speed and physicality because she’s like a force to be reckoned with,” Balducci said.

The future looks bright for Meg Flatley and the UNH field hockey team. Not only has Meg been playing well, but the team is also on a three game win streak, improving their record to 4-3.

UNH returns to action at UConn at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21.