Far from Dunn

Sarah Dunn led the Ivies in save percentage anf GAA - and still has three years left at Penn When Sarah Dunn showed up at her first field hockey practice last year as a freshman, she was confident that she would immediately establish herself as the Quakers' starting goalie. Maybe the fact that she was the squad's only keeper had something to do with it. "When she came to us last year, she knew she was going to be starting because we had no other goalie after graduating [four-year starter Suzy Pures]," Penn coach Val Cloud said. "She had a lot of growing up to do in Division I NCAA hockey." But in the season opener against St. Joseph's, she played like a grizzled veteran. Her collegiate debut resulted in a 2-1 Quakers victory that was highlighted by the rookie goaltender's extraordinary net play. Dunn recorded 21 saves and allowed only that one goal, setting the tone for what would be a superb freshman campaign. "I still think of the first game we had last year against St. Joe's," Cloud said. "She was just so nervous, she was beside herself? But she performed tremendously that game." Under the tutelage of Penn assistant coach Sue Donahue -- a former Quakers goalie herself -- Dunn started and finished every game in goal for the Quakers, leading the Ivy League in both save percentage and goals-against-average. Ironically, Dunn didn't even set out to play field hockey as a youngster. She migrated to the sport in the seventh grade when financial problems resulted in her soccer team's funding getting cut. "Field hockey was the only fall sport open for girls, so I didn't have much of a choice," Dunn said. "We all just sort of decided to go and play field hockey." Dunn went on to become captain of her Centereach High School team and earned all-New York State honors her senior year. Now, as a sophomore, Dunn is infinitely more confident and prepared for next Friday's season opener, again against St. Joe's, than she was for last year's. "I think my technique has improved a lot," Dunn said. "And I'm more knowledgeable about what should be going on and what I should be doing." Cloud has sensed increased maturity in her keeper. "She's not the baby in the cage this year," Cloud said. "Her technique has improved, and she's strengthened herself physically. She's also definitely improved as a competitor on the field? Sarah's always been a gamer." While Dunn's on-the-field performance is much improved, her leadership role on the team has also taken on new proportions. "Last year, Sue Quinn was our sweeper, and she took control on the field and she was kind of the mouth of the defense," Dunn said. "This year, she's not here, so there is kind of a void. We all have to work together to fill the spot that Sue had last year directing the defense. As a goalkeeper, I can see everything going on in the field, so I have to tell everyone what's going on." Although leadership skills are usually by-products of two or three years of success or of a particularly aggressive demeanor, Dunn leads in other ways. According to Cloud, it's in her smile. "I don't really think that she's innately a leader like some other kids," Cloud said. "I think she's really working hard at being a leader because her position calls for it. "I think what people on the team really appreciate about Sarah is that she is so much fun. She's always smiling and is just fun to have around."