Carmen takes game from ice to grass

After netminding for Team Canada's U18 team this summer, Pictou County's Carmen MacDonald has returned to Westminster School in Connecticut and brought her game from the ice to the grass as she plays field hockey.
Just last week she was named athlete of the week for the school after she made 12 saves in a 1-0 win over Hotchkiss, the reigning New England Champions. Hotchkiss out shot the Westminster Martlets 12-3.
MacDonald's mother Kelly MacDonald said the family is proud, but not surprised at her daughter's accomplishments.
"She has always worked hard at school and her sports," she said. "Sometimes it's hard to believe what she has accomplished so far, but I think she is successful because she always pushes herself to do better."
Carmen took some time to answer a few questions for The News recently:

Q: What was your reaction to being named athlete of the week?
A: I know that a bunch of other girls played really well that week so I was really surprised, to be honest.

Q: Is it hard to transition from ice hockey to field hockey?
A: I wouldn't say it's hard, but it's not easy at the same time. In one sense it's not that different because your responsibility is still the same, you still have to stop the shots that come. On the other hand all the technical parts are extremely different.

Q: What are the biggest differences between the two, particularly when it comes to the goalie position?
A: I guess the biggest difference is when I'm playing field hockey I'm not allowed to butterfly, which is basically my style in hockey so it's kind of weird. The basic position is the same, you're still just trying to stop the other team from scoring.
Q: What are your plans for when you graduate?
A: I really want to go to an Ivy League school, but if that doesn't work I wouldn't mind coming back to Nova Scotia and playing for St. FX, DAL, or SMU. But after that, hopefully, I'll go into the medical field.

Q: What are your dreams as an athlete?
A: My dream as an athlete is like most other athlete's dreams, to play in the Olympics one day. Putting on that Maple Leaf and representing your country on a world stage is a privilege and I'm working towards that moment every day.