CHESTERFIELD- Emma Vendt is not data-driven.
The Marquette senior forward does not concern herself with the record of the Mustangs’ next opponent or the series history between the teams.
“I’m normally unaware of any stats. I like to come into games thinking (the opponent) is going to be great. I don’t want to know their record or if they lost to a team we beat,” Vendt said.
But it is hard to ignore the statistics that Vendt is producing this season.
Vendt scored two goals and added an assist as Marquette defeated United Field Hockey 4-0 in the first round of the Midwest Field Hockey Tournament Wednesday at Marquette High.
Marquette (13-6), which won a playoff game for the 18th consecutive season, advanced to the Sweet 16 to play Ursuline (10-7) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Villa Duchesne’s Condie Field.
Vendt scored her 23rd and 24th goals of the season, a total that ties her for fifth best in the St. Louis metro area. No other Mustang has scored more than five goals, and Vendt has contributed more than half of the team’s 46 goals scored in 2024.
“I do come into games thinking I have to score for my team, but when I’m out there, I forget about everything and just play and have fun,” Vendt said. “When I’m hard on myself, I get in my head.”
It would have been understandable if United goalkeeper Liz Cenatiempo was in Vendt’s head after the senior stoned the Marquette sharp-shooter twice from point blank range, including a miraculous, right pad save that prompted a salsa-like dance from Cenatiempo after the ball was cleared from the circle.
“Their goalie was amazing, she made incredible saves,” Vendt said. “I knew we needed to get people on the posts for rebounds so that somebody else could finish.”
Marquette earned a penalty corner midway through the second quarter and flooded the front of the cage with bodies. A shot by senior Chloe Ebner was tipped goalward by junior Dylan Johns. Cenatiempo saved it, but a lurking Vendt flicked home the rebound to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead at intermission.
“I rush the goal and find the ball,” said Vendt, who only began playing field hockey as a freshman. “I’ve gotten so much better thanks to these coaches. They’ve taught me to keep my eyes open, check my surroundings, and use my reflexes to finish.”
Cenatiempo, who ranks second in the area in total saves and third in save percentage, continued to thwart Marquette scoring chances to begin the third quarter. She went into the splits to deny a Vendt blast on a corner opportunity and then watched defender Lucia Suarez block a certain goal at the back post on the rebound. Suarez, junior Noni Murphy and senior Eviolet Reyes continually made strong defensive plays to prevent the waves of Marquette pressure from producing goals.
“I thought we fought our hardest,” United coach Julie Murphy said. “It’s a group of athletes who are truly united by a fierce love for the sport, respect for each other and a scrappy attitude. When you put all that together, you ignite something deep within a team. I’m honored to be a part of it.”
Midway through the third quarter, Vendt found her way into the circle and crossed a pass to senior Abigail Thompson, who tipped it between the pads of Cenatiempo before she could execute the splits.
It was the ninth assist of the season for Vendt, who has figured in on 33 of the 46 goals (72%) the Mustangs have scored this season.
Later in the quarter, Vendt earned a penalty corner, then unleashed a lightning-quick shot that gave Cenatiempo little chance to react as Marquette opened a 3-0 lead.
“It’s natural,” Marquette coach Nina Walters said. “There’s some things you can’t teach, and she’s got it. I give her no shooting advice. She came in with this raw talent around the goal and I said, ‘You do you. I’m not touching it. I can help you get to the goal, but in the circle, you got it, kid,’”
Vendt became a varsity starter as a sophomore and scored 11 goals, seven in the final five games. She continued where she left off by scoring a career-high four goals in the season opener against Oakville and a hat trick against Webster Groves two days later.
“I have to thank my teammates. They really do a good job getting me the ball,” Vendt said.
Vendt played the second half with United senior Grace Kalina attached to her hip, following her wherever she went even when the ball was nowhere near. It is a defensive strategy Vendt has faced several times this season.
“I just try to play like I normally would. It kind of makes me feel good about myself,” Vendt said.
And Marquette is certainly feeling good about itself heading into the Sweet 16, even with scoring distribution data that does not exactly resemble a bell curve.
“Right now, it’s not a concern because I have her one more year,” Walters said. “Maybe next year if you ask me that question, it will worry me, but right now we’ve got that momentum going.”
Photo gallery at: https://benvessa.smugmug.com/Field-Hockey/2024-Season
Sweet 16 Schedule: All games Saturday, Oct. 26
At John Burroughs
No. 16 Summit vs. No. 1 John Burroughs – 11:30 a.m.
No. 8 Lindbergh vs. No. 9 Kirkwood – 1:30 p.m.
At MICDS
No. 4 MICDS vs No. 13 Visitation – 11:30 a.m.
No. 5 Cor Jesu vs. No. 21 Parkway South – 1:30 p.m.
At Villa Duchesne
No. 2 Villa Duchesne vs No. 15 St. Dominic – 11:30 a.m.
No. 7 Ursuline vs No. 10 Marquette – 1:00 p.m.
At SportPort
No. 3 St. Joseph’s vs. No. 14 Lafayette – 1 p.m.
No. 6 Ladue vs. No. 11 Westminster – 3 p.m.