Post by FU73 on Sept 21, 2023 9:07:52 GMT -5
Malen Iglesias began her first season with the Fairfield University Field Hockey program in 2023 after playing for four seasons with the Stags. Iglesias brings an extensive coaching resume that includes youth programs in Argentina as well as the United States. fairfieldstags.com/sports/field-hockey/roster/coaches/malen-iglesias/896
For Malen Iglesias, the destination is a familiar one, a place she called home for four years.
The Argentina native is in the midst of her first season as an Assistant Coach with the Fairfield University Field Hockey team after spending four seasons as a student-athlete with the Stags and one graduate year at BIG 10 Ohio State University. And it's those days on the pitch that will make her successful on the sideline.
"Having been in their (student-athletes) shoes helps me understand what they are going through," Iglesias said. "Since I just stopped playing a year ago, everything is still fresh regarding what it takes to be a student-athlete. I still have that athlete mentality in the back of my mind. I still have a feel for what they are thinking."
"One of my roles on the team is relating to the international players coming into the program this year," Iglesias said. "I left home when I was 18 and I came into a program where I didn't know anyone. It's a whole new place, a whole new playing style and academics are different as well. I have been there so I can be a resource international student-athletes can use which will hopefully help them adapt better at Fairfield."
The new playing style to which Iglesias refers centers around the difference between the international style which tends to be more technical and the American style which relies on athleticism. It may seem like a small difference, but it can take time for a student-athlete to make the adjustment.
"We played our first scrimmage and it was probably a culture shock for the international players," Iglesias said. "Suddenly there is all this running in the American game. The European style is more technical and tactical rather than so much running and cutting like there is here. The game is a lot quicker in the United States. That is something that I needed to adapt to when I came to Fairfield.".....
After playing at Ohio State for a year, Iglesias welcomed the opportunity to return to Fairfield to join Head Coach Jackie Kane as a member of the coaching staff.
"I wanted to come back to Fairfield because it's always been home for me and it's a place I feel comfortable," Iglesias said. "I was my best version of myself when I was at Fairfield – personally, athletically, and academically."
fairfieldstags.com/news/2023/9/20/field-hockey-malen-iglesias-makes-the-transition-from-the-pitch-to-the-sidelines.aspx
The NEC Stags (4-2)(0-0) will return to the pitch on Sunday, September 24 when they host BIG EAST Villanova (4-3)(1-0) for a 1 pm match on University Field.
Watch
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