Emma Treece is fearless and loyal — two qualities that helped her to lead the nation in field hockey saves in Division III last year and finish 14th in the nation this season.

The junior international studies major has come a long way from her first experience with field hockey a little more than seven years ago when she was spotted laboring unsuccessfully to dribble the ball during an open workout at her high school.

“I went to a couple of open fields, and I really wanted to learn the game,” she says. “It had to be hysterical to watch, but even though I was struggling I wasn’t backing off.” Treece’s intensity, determination and lack of stick skills at that open workout were noticed by an experienced goalie who began working with Treece to develop her goalkeeping skills.

“As it turns out, I had a natural knack for it, to be honest,” says Treece, who served as co-captain this season. “You have to be fearless, quick and focused. Contrary to popular belief, the goalkeeper must be one of the fittest on the team and I aspire to that.”

Indeed, Treece ran a 16-minute mile and a half as a high school first-year, but through her training she now runs a seven-minute mile. As much as she enjoys diving and throwing herself in front of the ball to prevent a score, she says she also likes being involved in nearly every play.

“I am constantly aware of everything that is taking place on the field and am able to communicate that as a leader. Being in the backfield I see everything. The coaches see the game from the sideline, but my angle is more complete. I see how plays develop. I am constantly talking to my teammates, and just being that involved is a skill.”

In high school, Treece never allowed more than three goals during an entire game. She admits to being near tears during a couple of halftimes last year when she found her team down by five.

“Somewhere along this road, I realized the importance of teamwork,” she says. Rather than accepting or placing blame, she says she tries to figure out how she and the team can improve to prevent similar scoring opportunities for the opponents. “Now I encourage myself and my teammates to stay in the play. I don’t want to let down my teammates.”

“I would definitely say that I am a better goalkeeper now than when I was in high school,” she says. “The competition is definitely more challenging at the collegiate level, and I have become a more essential part of the team.”

After leading the nation in saves last year, Treece questioned how she would match last season’s performance.

“I wondered how I was supposed to keep up with myself, and if I had outdone myself for the rest of my career,” she says. “But we are better this year. Thankfully, I am not seeing as many shots on goal. Last year we had a lot of shots on goal, which resulted in a lot of saves for me.”

She has found that the communication skills she uses on the playing field are just as important in other areas of her life.

“Networking is an essential part of life,” she says. 

Because her drive and determination were evident at an early age, Treece has been encouraged by friends and family to pursue a career in law.

“My mom is from Argentina, so I grew up with a wider view of the world,” she says. Next semester, she will study in Earlham’s Northern Ireland off-campus program, and hopes the experience will help her to decide if she will pursue international law or public policy in graduate school.

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