Miller Leads Ivy League Goalkeepers

During a warm-up session of soccer, Gena Miller breaks away from her pursuers, dribbles the ball toward the other end of the field, approaches the opposing goal, and takes a shot.

But while Miller likes scoring goals during practice, the junior goalkeeper for the Columbia field hockey team enjoys preventing them even more.

“I prefer having her in goal, let’s put it that way,” said head coach Katie Beach.
Miller is allowing just 1.44 goals per game this season and has already matched her shutout total from last year by recording three more. She has led the Lions to a 6-5 record, eight straight home victories, and a 1-2 Ivy League record.

“Skill-wise, she is one of the top goalies in the nation,” Beach said. “She still has so much room to grow. I want to push her to be the best in the league.”

Last season the Lions finished 7-10 but were an even 6-6 when Miller was in goal. In those 10 losses, the offense failed to score more than one goal in nine of them. A similar trend has emerged this year, as the offense has scored a meager three goals during Columbia’s five losses.

Last year, Miller was a member of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Academic squad and hopes to lead her team to a new level this season. While she admits that winning the Ivy League Championship is a lofty goal, she insists it is still possible. Miller harbors a lofty goal for herself as well.

“Everyday I am trying to be better than I was yesterday,” Miller said.
Miller started playing field hockey in ninth grade, and one year later, made a select team. The higher level of competition and the possibility that she could be successful led her to commit herself to the sport. In her senior year of high school, she took her team to a Metro Women’s Athletic Association Championship and was subsequently recruited to play at Columbia.

“It seemed like a good match,” Miller said. “I wanted to go to school in New York City, and it was the only school that wanted me. I think it worked out well for both of us.”
Off the field, Miller is all combining about fun with a healthy dose of competition. Before every match, the team stands in a circle and plays a hand-squeezing game, with one person squeezing the hand of the girl next to her until the circle is completed. The team record—for the group of 24—stands at 3.5 seconds.

“We all like being competitive, but for us to be successful, it has to be fun,” Miller said. “It’s a frivolous thing to compete at.”

Miller says that the jump to collegiate-level play has only made the game more fun. The faster pace, quicker surface, and more experienced players have made the game more challenging. While the faster play does mean she has to be more alert, Miller enjoys that her job of “keeping the ball out of the net” is so straightforward.

But while her task is one of the most serious on the team, Miller tries to keep a relaxed state of mind.

“To be a good goalie you have to be confident and a little bit flexible,” Miller said. “There are different styles, I just try to have as much fun as possible. You have to be a little crazy too.”