A speedy transition to new role

On any team, there are players who would rather score a goal than set up a teammate to score. There are players who would rather play well themselves than have the team perform well. There are players who care more about their personal stats than whether or not the team wins. UConn field hockey's Melissa Gonzalez does not fit this description. In fact, she is the opposite.

The junior registered 24 points as a sophomore last season, with 10 goals and four assists. This was good for third on the team in points. She received a Big East Offensive Player of the Week Award, All-Big East First Team and was featured in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd." After UConn lost its top two point leaders, Lauren Aird and Lindsey Leck, to graduation, one would think that Gonzalez would become the offensive leader for the Huskies. In the offseason, however, Gonzalez sacrificed goals for wins and switched from playing at the forward position to the midfield. The transition was made possible because the coaching staff believed in her.

"She possesses all the qualities necessary to play midfield at the highest level," said coach Nancy Stevens. "Her field vision is superb, she is a great defender, and her attacking skills are terrific."

Gonzalez played this summer for the U.S. Junior National Team in the Junior World Cup held in Boston. Stevens believes her versatility in positions helped her make the national team.

"She played both forward and midfield in the Junior World Cup and the change in position helped her make the team," Stevens said.

Gonzalez realized it would be a difficult switch but she was up for the challenge.

"It was the coach's decision for me to switch," Gonzalez said. "It's different. It stresses different parts of your game; you have to focus more on defense and distribution instead of scoring. It's just been different."

Scoring is something that Gonzalez has not done as much this season as she did last year. She has four goals and three assists to make her point total 10 through 14 games. She has scored her goals in wins over Fairfield, Louisville and Georgetown. Her latest goal came in a win at Yale on Sunday. The switch to midfield has given her fewer scoring chances than she had at forward in her first two years at UConn.

Instead of attacking the net every play, Gonzalez has to look to intercept passes and feed her teammates. Although the points are not coming as easily, her effort has not been affected.

"She has a tremendous motor. I've never coached a player that played any harder than Melissa," Stevens said. "She has an amazing work rate and makes everyone around her better."

Although her individual stats are not as impressive as they have been in the past, Gonzalez understands what is really important: winning as a team.

She will do whatever it takes to help the Huskies get better and it has showed. Gonzalez is a leader for UConn and her selflessness is one of the reasons why the Huskies are 13-1 and have stayed in the top 10 in the country the entire year.

"If I wanted to get individually recognized all the time then I would have played an individual sport," Gonzalez said. "If it helps the team I'm all for it. We are going for a national championship and that is all that matters."

When it comes to NCAA tournament time, having a player like Gonzalez will certainly help the Huskies' chances.

As for UConn's opponents who don't have a player like Melissa Gonzalez, it may hurt to face her.