Forward Ali Savage '15 has played a vital role on the field hockey team since freshman year. After spending her sophomore summer on campus training, this season is shaping up to be even more impressive for the Australian native.
Savage was named Ivy League field hockey co-player of the week on Tuesday, after scoring her third hat trick this season and putting seven goals on the scoreboard against University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. This season, she leads all Division I players in points per game with a 2.89 average and has claimed a total of 10 goals and six assists.
Such accolades are now routine for the five-foot-nine forward. In her freshman year, Savage set the standard by earning a league-high three Ivy League rookie of the week honors. This week's award is the seventh of her career and the second this season, following her performance in the team's season-opening game in California.
Born in Orange, New South Wales, Savage grew up swimming, skiing and playing water polo in addition to playing five years of field hockey. After coming to Dartmouth on a recruiting visit, she fell in love with the campus and facilities, as well as the U.S. system of higher education.
"I really liked the idea of being able to try things out and declare a major later on, instead of choosing a specific career before I got to college," Savage said.
After arriving on campus, Savage had to grow accustomed to new conditions, ranging from living in colder weather to making adjustments to her play.
"There are some skills that are emphasized here that aren't emphasized at home," Savage said. "But it was also cool because I was able to develop my skill set and learn a lot of skills that weren't taught at home."
Nonetheless, she demonstrated skill and confidence early on.
"She's really gifted in terms of her skill and her read on the game," head coach Amy Fowler said. "She's got great anticipation, so she's a tough forward to play against."
As Savage has adjusted to Dartmouth and team life, she has taken on a greater role on the team, co-captain Olivia Quaglia '14 said.
"She's developed into an extremely strong and respected leader on the team, and that's come with experience and learning about how her team operates," Quaglia said. "She's developed into someone that knows what she can expect of her teammates and of herself."
Savage's play has improved drastically as a result of the work she put in this summer, and Fowler said she has since seen a marked improvement in Savage's speed and endurance.
"She probably came in as a freshman thinking she was pretty good and didn't have to put as much time into the fitness component, and that took a toll during her first season," Fowler said. "Because she was here all summer, she has come in with a really strong fitness and strength base. I think she realizes the benefits to having that cardio and that base, as well as the strength she's gained in the weight room."
Savage's teammates have also noticed improvement.
"I think she's become an unstoppable force," Quaglia said. "She's developed into a player that can really utilize her teammates and her own skill in any situation she finds most appropriate."
Although Savage still has another year on the field hockey team after this season, she has begun to think about post-graduation opportunities.
"I'd really like to stay in the United States and hopefully continue playing after college," Savage said. Given her current performance, Fowler said her goal is realistic.
"I think as she continues to get stronger in all the areas she's been working on, I see her as one of the better, if not one of the best, forwards that we have in the league and potentially in the region," Fowler said.
Off of the field, Savage is a friend to her teammates.
"She's just a goof," Quaglia said. "She loves to tease Amy and she loves to have a good time and laugh. She will always put a smile on someone's face."
Aside from playing on the field hockey team, Savage is pursuing a neuroscience major with a possible studio art minor, and is a member of Kappa Delta Epsilon sorority.
