April 8, 2011
By Jeff Sattora, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - One of the first questions first year Penn State head coach Missy Doherty had when arriving on campus was if the team was set at starting goaltender, the team told her "yes," and they have definitely been right so far.
The Lions were confident in their junior goalkeeper Dana Cahill, who after playing mostly a backup role the past two seasons has become one of the American Lacrosse Conference and nation's best goalies this spring.
The first year starter Cahill is currently ranked 16th in the nation in goals against average at 8.46 per game and 18th in save percentage at .482.
Cahill talked about how having a goalie ahead of her the last two years has really helped her be successful this season.
"I was able to learn a lot from her, watch how she played," Cahill said talking about Stephanie Ellis, the starting goalie last year. "I've tried to see what she did in the goal and use that myself."
Cahill has used that two years of watching and learning to her benefit and has really played well this season.
"I just really try to be that backbone of the defense," Cahill said. "I've just tried to do my best to communicate well with the defense so that everyone's on the same page."
One page that everyone is on for sure is the thought that they are happy with Cahill's play.
"She's been great, in big games, in close games, you really need to have a solid goalkeeper and Dana's been awesome all year long," said Doherty.
Cahill has stepped up in big games as she has helped the Lions defeat two ranked teams this season, including having a career high 13 saves vs. Vanderbilt who at the time was ranked 12th in the nation.
"I think she's playing awesome," said senior Captain Maggie Dunbar, "I was excited to finally get to play with her this year."
It is important for the defense to know they have strong support behind them and they definitely do in the junior goaltender.
Cahill has been an award winner in her first year in goal as she won the American Lacrosse Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the week of March 14th after leading the Lions to wins over Hofstra and a ranked Vanderbilt squad.
Dunbar has really seen an improvement in Cahill as the year has gone on, "I think she's improved a lot," Dunbar said, adding how she is being especially more vocal and more confident as the season has gone on.
When talking about how she has improved so far in her first year in net, Cahill was quick to point out one person in particular, assistant coach Amy Altig.
Altig, like Doherty, is in her first year with the Lions and is also the U.S. National team's goalie which has been a great help to Cahill.
"I definitely feel like Amy (Altig) has helped me fine tune things with my technique," Cahill said, adding, "Amy's done wonders," and "she's a very talented goalie herself."
Altig can be added to the list of people inside the program who are really happy with Cahill's play this season, saying, "she's a fantastic goalkeeper."
"She's got a great attitude and wants to learn and wants what's best for the team,"Altig added. "She's excelling because she's riding that wave of confidence."
Despite the recent loss to a top 10 ranked Florida team Cahill agreed and said both her and the rest of the team's confidence is "soaring right now".
Cahill added how important it was for the team to keep their confidence as the season winds down with conference and tournament play.
With Dana Cahill in goal there is no doubt the rest of the team will be confident, and the way she is playing, Cahill's confidence is going to be right there with them.
