Glen Burnie senior field hockey player Tara Sinchak has been under fire a lot this season inside of the cage. The Gophers goalie came up big in countless games, keeping her team in as many games as possible.

Glen Burnie finished 0-12 this season but Sinchak isn’t worried about the team’s record because she feels the program is on the turnaround under new head coach Tracee Torrillo.

VSN: How did you keep your head up despite a rough season?

For me, it’s easy to stay positive even if we have a rough season but there are times that it gets to me. I try to think about all the good things that has happened this season that hasn’t happened in past seasons. For example, we scored twice this year and in past years, we either haven’t scored or only scored once.  Also, we were down in the offensive end more this year than other years.

 

VSN: What got you into field hockey?

I played soccer until one of my friends asked me to play field hockey. I thought it sounded interesting and decide to try it.  I started playing in 8th grade and have played ever since.

 

VSN: Did you always want to be a goalie?

No, when I first started playing I wanted to be an offensive player.  My freshman year we only had one goalie and she broke her foot before the start of our season.  Our coach asked if anyone would step up to play goalie, so I decide I would try it out. I fell in love with being a goalie and never gave it up.

 

VSN: How many total saves did you have this year, there were several games that you had 20 or more saves?

So far this year I have had 180. I make about 10 or more saves per game. I have had several games that have been over 15 saves, which doesn’t bother me because that means it mostly down in my end and I never get bored.

 

VSN: Despite a winless season, how has Coach Torrillo changed the culture of Glen Burnie field hockey in her first year?

Coach Torrillo is one of the best coaches I know. She is always pushing us to do better and she believes that we can do anything we set our hearts to. Coach T really pays attention to us while we’re playing and sees what we need to work on in practice. She gives us drills to build on our skill level. She is super organized. She is a tough coach which will pay off in the end.  She knows how to keep us focus on fielded hockey and keeps us together as one. But she does know how to have fun. She is on the right course to turning around the Glen Burnie field hockey program.

 

VSN: How do you prepare for a game? Any superstitions or routines that you follow?

When I start preparing for a game, I listen to lots of music, usually up beat music.  One of the songs I always listen to is “Build me up Buttercup”.  It’s one of the songs I have listened to ever since my freshman year. I also always wear my green head band.  It’s my little good luck charm. And right before a game, I take a deep breath and tell myself, “I CAN DO THIS!”

 

VSN: What is your favorite moment as a field hockey player?

My favorite moment is when I make a great save or block a great shot and everybody tells me how great it was, it really boost up my confidence. It makes me feel wonderful.

 

VSN: Now for some fun questions, what is your favorite movie? Why?

I don’t really have one favorite movie.  I’m not a big fan of scary movies though.  I like comedies like “The Hangover”.  One movie I could watch over and over again is “The Parent Trap”. It depends on what I’m in the mood for.

 

VSN: What are you dressing up for as for Halloween?

I’m dressing up as a referee.

 

VSN: What is something that most people don’t know about you?

The thing most people don’t know about me is I’m super scared about being a senior. I’m scared of where my future is going to take me. I try not to let people see that it bothers me. I wish I could stay in high school and play field hockey forever.