Cox primed to defend state title

VIRGINIA BEACH The dropping temperatures and biting winds of November indicate that field hockey season is coming to a close. They also signal the shift of play from grass to the artificial turf fields at the National Training Center.

And it’s the time of year that Cox senior forward Kelsey Rosenmeier can’t wait for.

“It’s my favorite time of year,” she said. “It’s tournament time, you want to win and the games are more competitive.

“And all of our games are on turf.”

The two-time captain has tallied 13 goals and 21 assists so far this season – with six of the those scores and 11 assistsduring a two-week, six-game span in which Rosenmeier helped her team win its second straight Beach District tournament title and fourth consecutive Eastern Region championship. 

Rosenmeier is looking to continue the trend today when the three-time defending state champion Falcons host Central Region runner-up Cosby at 3 p.m. in a Group AAA state quarterfinal.

Lakeland, the Eastern Region runner-up, visits Central Region champion Thomas Dale in another 3 p.m. quarterfinal.

“Every time you play, it’s against teams from other regions around the state,” Rosenmeier said. “And you never know what the other team is going to bring.”

Excelling in postseason and on the turf has been part of her varsity resume since she joined the team four years ago.

“She’s one of those players that is game-changing in tournament time,” said Falcons coach Julie Swain, recounting Rosenmeier’s transition from freshman role player to junior leader. “I remember her scoring in key moments in past years.”

Rosenmeier added: “As a freshman, everyone’s a little nervous, but you’re an underclassman so you go out with nothing to lose and just work hard. As the years go, you have more responsibility and carry the team more.”

Swain said Rosenmeier has developed a finesse to her game – she makes everything look easy – and is deceptively dangerous while dropping back in defense.

“She’s very smooth – a pretty player, and every movement is fluid,” the eighth-year coach said. “On defense, she always shows up and gets the ball and you say to yourself 'Where did she come from?’ ”

Rosenmeier, who has committed to Louisville, honed her skills playing indoor field hockey, where players must rely on fast hands and quick feet. That has allowed her to acclimate to the synthetic surface well.

On turf, “the game is quicker, faster and a lot smoother,” she said. “You can do a lot more moves.”

Every time Rosenmeier flicks her hands to shoot or digs in her feet to cut into an open passing lane, her intensity resonates with teammates.

“Every year, she has a sense of it’s tournament time and she turns it up a notch,” Swain said. “And that is contagious on the team.”

Darrell Cuenca, (757) 446-2366, darrell.cuenca@pilotonline.com