EL grad takes reins of Marywood hockey

Bullock, 24, now of Wilkes-Barre, who served as assistant coach in 2009, said it was a whirlwind.

“I had no idea the coach would resign,” Bullock said. “This whole thing has been a whirlwind.”

However, Bullock said she is excited about coaching the Pacer team this season, and hopes to coach the young squad to success.

“I think it will be a good experience,” Bullock said.

She said that her experience in playing for Lock Haven University from 2004-2007, after graduating from Elk Lake, has given her tools in knowing how to coach.

“I can’t even begin to describe all that I learned at Lock Haven,” Bullock said. “You just learn so much about the game.”

Last year, the Pacers finished up 8-9 overall, going 4-4 in the Colonial States Athletic Conference.

The team earned a playoff berth, but lost in a first-round heartbreaker 1-0 to Cabrini in overtime.

“We made playoffs last season, and we hoping to start off the right way this season,” Bullock said.

She said that last year’s fall season was built upon in the spring as the Pacers “picked up.”

The Pacers lost four seniors to graduation, and Bullock said it will be a bit of a rebuilding year with about 50 percent of the team being freshmen and the other 50 percent being returners.

Marywood started its field hockey practices on Sunday, and Bullock said that the first week will mostly be focused on stick work, tactics and a lot of scrimmaging.

And Bullock is no stranger to preseason training, as she got her start in field hockey at Elk Lake when she was only in sixth grade.

In addition to playing for the Warrior team she also played for the East Coast Club team and in the Keystone State Games.

In the coming year, Bullock said she is most looking forward to “seeing the girls individually and as a team show improvement.”