Player Spotlight with Sarah Gipe
9/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
With a pair of road contests this weekend against Ohio and No. 11 Louisville, LibertyFlames.com turns its attention to this week's player spotlight, Sarah Gipe.
The senior forward hails from Greencastle, Pa., and is one of the three captains on this year's squad. Gipe paces Liberty's high-scoring offense with four goals during the first four contests. Overall, Gipe is currently the program's all-time leading goal scorer with 43, just one goal ahead of teammate Natalie Barr. Gipe also ranks second in career points with 95, 10 points shy of Barr's mark of 105.
Who introduced you to the sport that you're playing?
Gipe: A lot of my soccer friends and I decided to try out field hockey the summer before seventh grade to keep us busy in the soccer off-season. My friend, Heather, and I went to a summer clinic hosted by the high school coaches and players and I fell in love with the game.
Tell me about your family. What do your parents, or guardians, do? How many brothers or sisters do you have and what do they do?
Gipe: My dad is a mechanical engineer at Johnson Controls Frick in Waynesboro, Pa., and my mom is a RN patient care coordinator for Meritus Heath in Hagerstown, Md. I have one sister, Kortney, who is only a year and a half younger than me. She is currently studying special and elementary education at Millersville University. I am also engaged to Liberty's number one fan, Joshua Buwalda, who graduated from Liberty last May and currently works for Liberty University Online. We're getting married January 9, 2016 in my hometown!!
If you weren't playing your sport which one would you enjoy playing?
Gipe: If I wasn't playing field hockey, I would probably be playing soccer. I started playing soccer when I was four and played almost every year through my junior year in high school. I enjoy going to Liberty's soccer games when I get the chance!
Tell us your recruiting story on how you got to Liberty.
Gipe: Throughout high school, I knew that I wanted to play Division I field hockey and to major in something that would allow me to eventually attend physical therapy school. My youth pastor had been telling me to check out Liberty but it wasn't until we added a field hockey team that I actually listened to him. I sent coach a few emails and my highlight video and after visiting the campus, I quickly realized that I wanted to play hockey at Liberty. Because of God's provision and the support of my family, I committed to Liberty my junior year.
If you could get away from your sport for a little bit, what would you enjoy doing?
Gipe: When I'm not playing hockey, I spend a lot of time studying (which I very much enjoy doing!). I also really enjoy watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette/Bachelor in Paradise with the team, wedding planning, and hanging out with stray cats on my front porch.
What are you studying, and what do you enjoy about that?
Gipe: I am currently finishing up my studies in exercise science. What I most enjoy about studying exercise science is that every day I get to learn about how God created our bodies to perform and live life well. I just found out that I have been accepted to Lynchburg College's Doctorate of Physical Therapy program and I am so grateful that my education here at Liberty has prepared me for this next season in my life!
Who were your heroes growing up, and who did you emulate in the backyard or playground?
Gipe: Growing up, I looked up to Mia Hamm. At the time, she was the best soccer player in the world and she was a great role model. I've even read her book, Go for the Goal, several times!!
The team is off to a 4-0 start for the first time in program history, what has been the key to the success thus far for the squad?
Gipe: I think the fact that we spent preseason in Virginia Beach really brought our team closer off the field and the fact that we have personal relationships with each other has translated to our play on the field. We all know that we each have a purpose on the team and everyone has played their role well.
You are one of three captains and one of ten seniors on this year's team. What does it mean for you to be one of the three featured leaders on the squad?
Gipe: It is such an honor that my teammates voted me to be one of the three captions for this year's team. Serving the girls in this way has been such a blessing so far and I look forward to leading along with Erin and Nat the rest of the season!
You have two key matchups this weekend including at No. 11 Louisville on Sunday. What would it mean for the team and the program to come away with a road victory over a Top 20 opponent in Louisville?
Gipe: We are all really looking forward to this weekend's games. We've started off with four victories at home, where we were playing at our sanctuary and made it a point to always play well at home. I think the team is excited to face the challenges that playing on the road brings and really come out and play a full 70 minutes of our game plan against a solid Louisville team!
