Thanks to first-year assistant coach Amy Agulay, Syracuse’s field hockey team has established a pregame routine unlike any other in head coach Kathleen Parker’s 26-year career.

Beginning with August’s preseason three-a-day practices, SU engages in a mental preparation session led by Agulay before each time it takes the field.

‘Everyone becomes much more relaxed and more aware of what we have to do,’ junior back Joanne Lombard said. ‘We’re not so frantic, much more in control of ourselves.’

Agulay, who works almost exclusively with goalies, not only brings an unparalleled focus on the mental part of the game to SU but unmatched experience as a goalkeeper on the Canadian national team, a squad that finished seventh in the world in 2001.

Parker has never had a goalie coach on her staff.

Agulay describes her work with starting senior goalie Betsy Wagner as more about preparation than technique.

‘I want her to be confident that she has seen every type of shot,’ Agulay said.

Wagner, working with the first goalie coach of her career, has certainly benefited.

‘It is reassuring knowing that she has been there before,’ Wagner said. ‘It is also nice working with someone who knows exactly what you’re talking about.’

Agulay comes to SU full time after two seasons as a volunteer coach – one with her alma mater New Hampshire and one with Connecticut.

‘I’ve wanted to settle down with a program,’ said Agulay, who is also pursuing a master’s degree in nutrition at SU. ‘Being here gives me an opportunity for education and coaching. I want to give back what field hockey gave to me.’

A four-year starter at UNH, Agulay graduated in 2001 as the university’s career leader in games played, minutes played and saves. She anchored UNH to the America East Conference championship in her sophomore year while leading all D-I goalies in save percentage.

A two-time all-conference goalie, Agulay was also a three-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association Academic Squad selection.

‘She was the epitome of a student athlete,’ said Robin Balducci, Agulay’s coach at UNH. ‘She was a kid you would take 20 of.’

It was at UNH where she developed a strong interest in the mental side of sports.

‘It was about finding what allowed her to be at her best,’ Balducci said. ‘She came to understand mental work was a big part in finding her A-game.’

Now Agulay, who is looking forward to next summer’s World Cup qualifying round, wants to pass on what has worked well for her over many years to the women on SU’s team.

‘They have to know confidence has to come from themselves,’ Agulay said.

While she gives the majority of her attention to centering the players’ thoughts and getting them to focus on goals (which could be perceived as a quieter side of coaching), she is also intense and engaging on the practice field.

‘She demands making the save how it should be – keeping the ball from coming back at me,’ Wagner said.

Agulay originally applied to be an assistant two years ago, but Parker said the timing was not right. Hired without an interview the second time around, Agulay is proving her worth to SU only weeks into her first stint as a full-time college coach.

‘I haven’t had anybody do what she does,’ said Parker, speaking of both Agulay’s dedication to mental preparation and her expertise in the goalie position. ‘We were delighted she reapplied. We were pretty sure we were getting somebody pretty good.’

Published on September 21, 2004 at 12:00 pm