Athlete of the Week: Gutkind Fuels Field Hockey Win

West Morris Central Field Hockey quad-captain Erin Gutkind has been named Long Valley Patch's Athlete of the Week for her performance against Boonton on Saturday, Sept. 10.

Gutkind scored two goals and had an assist, including the game-winning score in overtime. The 17-year-old senior has a heart for science–biology and anatomy specifically–and has high hopes for this season.

What are your hopes for the team this year?
For the past couple of years we have come very close to winning the MCT, but we have never actually won it. It would definitely be great to win this my senior year. I also hope that we will be very successful in our conference as well as the State Tournament.

What do you like best about playing for WMC?
My favorite part about playing for WMC is that the West Morris Central field hockey team is a family, both on and off the field. Some of our parents even believe that the reason we have been so successful on the field for the past two seasons is that we are all very close. Once preseason starts in August, we are always together for the next three months. We all spend time together in between double sessions, team bonding, and sometimes we will all watch the football games together from the stands.

Favorite things to do off the field?
I also enjoy playing lacrosse for WMC, spending time with my family and friends, and going to both WMC and Rutgers University football games.

Plans for college? Playing field hockey at the next level?
As of now I am still looking at many different colleges and I am undecided whether I will continue to play field hockey at the collegiate level.