Since seventh grade, Ashley Kunsman knew she would be a field hockey goalie. Kunsman was encouraged to join the team by teammate Emily Henry, and she has never looked back.

“I wanted to try on the goalie equipment and give it a try,” recalled Kunsman from her freshman days at practice. “I didn’t know what to expect at first, and I really didn’t want to be a goalie at first. But I really began to love what I was doing.”

Since then, Kunsman has been a stalwart in the cage for the Konkrete Kids. Beginning this week, Kunsman was near the 100 save mark for the season and she has been an instrumental part in the Kids’ 10-3-1 mark to begin the week.

Like the previous years, it has been a memorable ride for Kunsman and her teammates.

“We started off a little slow,” Kunsman noted. “We have been playing better lately and we think we can go far in districts. We have good chemistry on this team and most of us have been playing since seventh grade.

“We have been working hard and we are a strong unit.”

Kunsman also stated how her team has adjusted well to new coach Carrie Saul.

“We feel like she has been our coach for a while,” said Kunsman. “We just love her as a coach. She is a down-to-earth coach who has showed us some new things and has helped us in many ways.”

Saul truly has appreciated her goalie’s efforts.

“Ashley (Kunsman) is a patient goalie that has great timing on her breakaways,” said Saul. “She has worked very hard all season. She is very quick and has great footwork. She also commands the defense.”

Kunsman has won the war of attrition as she has been a regular since her freshman year. Her mindset as a senior has changed since her early days.

“Since I was a freshman, I play every game like it is my last one,” she said. “I have been pretty confident all along. Over the years, I thought when I allowed a goal that it was my fault. But my teammates told me that it (goal) goes through 10 other people before it reaches me. We are really supportive of each other.

“I still tend to get down on myself for giving up a goal, but I know I am giving all I got out there.”

Kunsman has realized that it can be more of a psychological battle than a physical one. She hasn’t resented her move and occasionally will be on the field. This season, Kunsman scored two goals.

“I know that I am in the best physical shape out there and I can move around,” she said. “It really is psychological. When I do give up a goal, I know it will get better.

“I like being on the field and it is good to do. But I know I made the right choice.”

Kunsman plans to continue her career in college and would like to major in mathematics. She does play on club teams during the offseason.

“I really love the sport,” she stated. “Ever since I started, it really has been fun. I know we can go pretty far this year.”