Netto brings experience in the cage
Scanning statistics and reflecting on past Central Michigan field hockey games proves Anastasia Netto has grown as a goalkeeper.
The Trinidad and Tobago native went from having a save percentage that looked more like a batting average in her first year on campus, to being on queue with a free-throw percentage in her redshirt junior year.
As a result, she earned a spot on the Mid-American Conference second team.
Although for her to contend for a coveted MAC Championship, she might have to do one better –Mid-American Conference first team.
If her results from previous years are any indication, she might do just that.
“Ana, in her second year starting last year, made huge improvements from her first year starting,” head coach Cristy Freese said. “When you can put an experienced goalkeeper in the cage, certainly I think that’s one of the reasons we should be looked at to really challenge for the conference championship.”
Freese said Netto’s improvement came in her decision making.
She allowed 1.83 goals per game last season, after allowing 2.68 the year before. After saving 33.3 percent of the shots in the half game she played her freshman year, she saved 71.8 percent of shots last season.
Netto’s enthusiasm and expectations for this season have gone unchanged. She is ready to push herself for a MAC Championship and “pour everything (she) has into it,” like any other year.
One thing that has changed throughout her collegiate career is her role as a leader on the team.
“I make it a point to reach out to my teammates, on a personal level,” Netto said. “Make sure everything is going well with them and make sure that if there is anything I can help with, I provide any assistance I can, whether it be school or personal life.”
The only thing that could hold Netto back is the time she had to take off after the season because of a concussion sustained in a conference tournament game against Missouri State. Freese said she is slightly nervous with Netto not being fully ingrained in the off-season workouts until after spring break, but she has no doubt she will garner the starting possession.
“Anytime you miss out on training and practice sessions, it’s going to hurt you,” she said. “(But) she certainly comes into camp as the starter … To have a good player with experience is how you win a championship.”
Netto considers herself to be at 100 percent.
“I feel better than I ever felt before,” she said. “I’m fit as I’ve ever been. I’ve been taking such great care of myself.”
While Netto will help the Chippewas immensely in contending in the MAC, her cohorts will have to push CMU the rest of the way to win it. The Chippewas suffered four losses last season in games in which the opposition had only one goal at the end of regulation.
Freese said she has the utmost confidence that her keeper’s teammates will have her back, and Netto will not have to do everything.
“I would never want to put too much weight (on Netto). I think we have a very good team,” Freese said. “I think if Anna can be consistent and steady through the season, that’s what we need.”
