Oct. 9, 2014 UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
By Gabrielle Richards, GoPSUsports Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- From the Pac 12 and the ACC to the American League and the Big Ten, the Buttinger family has made the roster on 4 District I teams. Natalie Buttinger, one of seven siblings, is heading into her final stretch in her senior season with the Penn State field hockey team.
"We are all over, doing what we love," Buttinger said. "It's always great to call my sister at Duke and ask her how her field hockey team is. We talk game strategy all the time."
Buttinger, a native of Ontario, Canada, didn't pick up a field hockey stick until her freshman year of high school. An avid runner and ice hockey player, Buttinger never thought she could use her speed to her advantage in another sport. However, her older sister, who plays for the Candian National Women's Indoor Field Hockey Team, told her to try-out for the field hockey team.
After securing a spot on the varsity team, Buttinger's speed set her apart from others. Her varsity coach convinced her to try out for Team Ontario, a club team based out of Canada.
"I made Team Ontario simply out of luck," Buttinger said. "I had no skill, but I had my speed. I worked really hard with my coaches to built a skill set that matched my speed."
Hard Work Pays Off
Buttinger was a member of multiple championship field hockey programs including her four-time district championship high school team. She was named to the All-Star team all four years.
In her senior year alone, the captain netted 53 points (includes assists/goals). Buttinger's senior team was the first in school history to take home the Central Western Ontario Secondary School Association Championship, after posting a 17-2 record including 16 shutouts.
"We are a big ice hockey and running family so getting into field hockey was all luck," Buttinger said.
Coming to the States...and the Big Ten
"In Ontario, we don't play on astro turf," Buttinger said. "We play on more of a grass surface. "The hardest transition for me from playing in Canada to playing in America was how fast the game is."
Buttinger started her Penn State career in 2010, but due to a knee injury, she was forced to redshirt the following season.
"It was hard from playing non stop to not being able to pick up a stick," Buttinger said. "One of my proudest was coming back from that injury."
Since returning, Buttinger's play has only gotten better. After appearing in a combined 20 games in her sophomore and junior seasons, she has solidified her spot on the Nittany Lion roster. While her name is often attached to assists or goals, Buttinger is a huge contributor on both offense and defense. She is always around the ball, setting up scoring drives and serving as an option for the defensive pass.
"I think my biggest contribution or my purpose on the team is passing," Buttinger said. "I never measure a game based off my goals or assists, its all about the wins and losses for me."
Looking ahead...
The Nittany Lions head to College Park, Md. Friday to take on Big Ten newcomer Maryland.
"It's going to be a great game," Buttinger said. "We are ready to welcome Maryland to the Big Ten."
Fans can watch Buttinger and her fellow Nittany Lions on the Big Ten Network at 3:30 p.m. this Friday.