The field hockey team may sport a quicker game this season, thanks to Kim Gogola, one of the team's tri-captains, who spent part of her summer playing for the Under-23 national team in South Africa.
"It's a much quicker game with smarter play," Gogola said. "You have to think at a faster pace. It was fun playing with a lot of really good girls, watching them play and playing with them."
The junior back tried out for the team last December and was selected to the Under-23 national indoor team. In the beginning of July, she attended tryouts for the Under-23 team and was one of 14 field players selected from the 24 that tried out.
"It was really fun," she said. "I didn't expect to make it, so I was really excited when I did. At tryouts, they call out the names and you never want to be the person whose name they don't read."
In her ten days in South Africa, Gogola spent the first and the last three days on the field. She was also able to partake in a safari and shop at local markets. Accompanied by bodyguards, the girls on the team were physically sheltered, though they would hear about the violence on the radio.
Gogola feels that being able to play hockey in a different setting helped her gain a non-American perspective on the game.
"It was a different world over there," she said. "They have such a different attitude. There, hockey is so much bigger and everyone plays. It's like a social event."
The team played in Johannesburg, against top local club teams and some regional University squads. Most of the teams they faced were comprised of women in the college-age range, though one team consisted of 30 to 40 year-olds.
Club teams rank higher than collegiate programs in South Africa, and according to Gogola, most players become serious after college. The Under-23 team, which included college players from all around the country such as Iowa and UNC, finished with a 4-1-1 record.
Gogola's adventures ended on August 9, just two days before preseason started. Head coach Liz Tchou was able to notice an improvement in her player's confidence level and overall level of play.
"Anytime you play with players of a better caliber, you get better yourself," Tchou said. "It was a fantastic experience for her and you can see it in her play. She has improved tremendously and become a leader. You could see in the preseason, her game fitness was very good, she had quick execution and confidence. Coming into the college season, there is no substitute for playing at the top level."
Gogola's leadership has helped Duke earn the No. 12 ranking in the nation.
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