So far this season, the Virginia field hockey team (6-6) has experienced the highs and lows that can be expected from such a young squad. One stabilizing force on this roller coaster ride has been the veteran presence of senior back Katie Jo Gerfen.
Gerfen is one of only three seniors on the Virginia roster. This is actually Gerfen's fifth year with the team, as she redshirted after her sophomore season. Her depth of experience is an invaluable asset to this year's team.
"She's got a lot of game sense, and she's definitely the true team player," Coach Jessica Wilk said. "She's a competitor."
Gerfen has displayed Ripken-like consistency, starting in all 76 games that she has played in over the past five years. She has performed at a stellar level throughout her entire career. Gerfen has notched 15 career goals, 15 career assists and 45 total points.
One of Gerfen's most important roles is on both offensive and defensive penalty corners, where she takes shots or clears the ball out of the circle.
A native of Lititz, Pa., Gerfen was a star athlete at Warwick High School. She received numerous accolades in both softball and field hockey. Upon graduation, Gerfen chose to bring her athletic prowess South to Virginia.
During her freshman year, Gerfen was an instant starter and led all Virginia rookies with five goals and two assists.
Gerfen said her fondest field hockey memory occurred toward the conclusion of her sophomore season, when Virginia reached the ACC championship game against Maryland after upsetting North Carolina in the semifinals.
In 2003, Gerfen scored seven goals and had nine assists. She also had two defensive saves while compiling 23 total points for the season. She was honored with selections to the NFHCA and womensfieldhockey.com All-American squads.
Gerfen has continued to play relentlessly in the 2004 season. So far she has scored one goal and has accumulated two points.She has high hopes for this year's squad.
"This season I think we have some unusually good talent, and we just need to get over the hump and get on the left side of the scoreboard," she said.
Gerfen has made many deep friendships with her teammates during her five years at Virginia. For her, the camaraderie only gets better with age.
"I think each year team chemistry gets even better," Gerfen said. "There have been some pretty good memories."
Gerfen's veteran presence helps the Cavaliers navigate an extremely talented ACC conference. Three of Virginia's conference opponents are currently ranked in the top five in the NFHCA national poll.
Coach Wilk is fortunate to have a player who can mentor Virginia's younger players. Ten of the 25 players listed on Virginia's roster are freshmen.
"She's added quite a bit to this program," Wilk said.
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