Head coach Roz Ellis has field hockey ‘right on the edge’ of greatness

Stanford field hockey (7-10, 2-6 ACC) ended its regular season with a close loss against No. 4 Virginia (16-3, 7-1 ACC) in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament on Nov. 4. The team amassed 31 goals and 202 shots over the season, with its highest scoring game being a 6-3 win against Ball State. 

According to head coach Roz Ellis, this season has showcased the culmination of the team’s chemistry and work ethic, casting a bright light on the future of the program. On the defensive end, the team developed a deeper understanding of the phases of the game, elevating its pressing game, Ellis said. Offensively, the team leaned into a variable attacking strategy, showcasing a wide range of goal scorers.

According to Ellis, Stanford’s final game against the Cavaliers — a rematch after a 2-0 loss earlier in the season — displayed the team’s improvement, with three different goal scorers and a variety of defensive presses throughout the game. Although they lost 4-3, the Cardinal built on their previous performance and put up a strong fight against one of the top teams in the nation. 

“It really showcased our ability to make change, especially because we were playing the opponent twice, which really attests to hockey IQ,” Ellis said. “You don’t just go into the game thinking the same thing is going to work.” 

The Cardinal faced tough competition in the ACC, finishing eighth in the conference. The biggest challenge, Ellis said, was road games. The Cardinal held a 5-4 at home and a 1-5 record on the road.

“It’s funny because typically in years past, on the road, we were more successful than ever at home. This year we flipped to at home, more successful than on the road and unfortunately a couple of those on the road games really impacted our national ranking,” Ellis said. 

The team’s upward trajectory at the end of the season, culminating with a strong finish against the Cavaliers, has brought Ellis a positive outlook on the future of the program. 

“It’s clear how close we are,” she said. “There’s no shortcuts. If you want more, you’re going to have to give more. But I think they’re ready for that.” 

During the offseason, Ellis plans to focus on enhancing the team’s hockey IQ, building layers of defense, and encouraging front-foot thinking in all players. While the team builds skills on the field, players also participate in a culture of collaboration and group leadership. Ellis commended the 10 graduating seniors.

“They’ve been here for four years building the foundational pillars,” Ellis said. “I don’t want it to take away from the underclassmen beneath them because they were once sophomores and freshmen and so on, but they helped shape that. They bought in early.”

She asks her players to lead by example, finding that this has instilled mutual respect throughout the team from the top down. 

On a personal level, the biggest lesson Ellis took away from this season was the importance of tactical coaching. The advice she gave was not wrong, Ellis said, rather the line between prescriptive and hands-off coaching was imbalanced. Looking towards next season, she aims to provide more tangible feedback, while still allowing space for players to learn and grow on their own. 

Importantly, this was only Ellis’s fifth season with Stanford. She believes the team’s performance has showcased the positive trajectory of the program. As the team welcomes new recruits and prepares in the offseason, Ellis is aiming for a national ranking next year, believing they are “right on the edge.”

The post Head coach Roz Ellis has field hockey ‘right on the edge’ of greatness appeared first on The Stanford Daily.