Intimidating. That's what you think when you see a field hockey goalkeeper. It's the loads of padding she wears that make her appear twice as big. It's the mask, that monstrous helmet that gives the scoring zone the aura of a daunting barricade.
But behind the pads and mask is not a super human, but someone you might see everyday. Someone with more to offer than just a barrier to the cage. Virginia's Becky Worthington is no exception.
The senior's experience and academic standing make her a shining example for the team's young and new players. On the field, she is the Cavs' workhorse and played every minute of every game last season. Off the field, the fourth-year Engineering student was a 1999 National Field Hockey Coaches Association Academic All-American. With all the demands on her time, providing leadership and keeping a good image are no easy tasks.
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"Becky is a great person," Cav coach Jessica Wilk said. "It's extremely difficult to be an engineering major and an athlete and excel in both, and she has done that. She's very caring and supportive to all the players, and she's just a neat person altogether."
But that doesn't keep Worthington from being intimidating in goal. The Fairview Village, Pa. native is not only a leader and a scholar, but also one of the best goalkeepers in the country. She is ranked among the national leaders with a 64 percent save percentage and a 1.50 goals against average. In five games this season, Worthington has recorded two shutouts for the No. 7 Cavs.
Worthington credits her success not to her talent, but to her experience and devotion to her sport. She said she is "intense and demanding" and "always looking for challenges."
Since middle school, she has participated in the U.S. Field Hockey Association's programs and camps. In addition to collegiate play, she played on the USFHA Elite Blue team and USA under-20 and USA under-19 teams.
Becky Worthington
Game-by-Game
| Date | Opponent | Result | Saves | Goals |
| 9/3 | Penn State | L 1-3 | 5 | 3 |
| 9/4 | Ohio State | W 2-0 | dnp | dnp |
| 9/7 | Richmond | W 2-0 | 8 | 0 |
| 9/8 | Northwestern | W 2-0 | 4 | 0 |
| 9/17 | @North Carolina | L 1-3 | 8 | 3 |
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