Scoring three goals in a game will forever be celebrated in sports. Commonly referred to as a hat trick, it’s one of the most iconic achievements — but also one of the hardest.
In field hockey, a player rarely finds themselves in scoring position enough times to net three goals in one game. But what about four?
On Sept. 15, Quinnipiac’s defender Francisca Eschoyez did just that.
After completing a natural hat trick against Merrimack in the first quarter, Eschoyez made history, becoming the second player in the program to score four goals in a game — joining Heather Cady ‘02, who achieved the feat against Siena on Oct. 2, 1999.
Now, consider this: she’s only a freshman.
Born in Turin, Italy, there was a time when it seemed far-fetched that Eschoyez would end up playing field hockey. However, it was never in doubt that she would become an athlete, especially surrounded by her father and two brothers, all of whom played rugby professionally.
“I didn’t want to play field hockey,” Eschoyez said. “When I passed by the field hockey pitch, I didn’t want to look because I wanted to play volleyball. I did my first practice and I was like ‘Oh, maybe this is my sport.’”
Eschoyez found her passion, and because of her talent, she was named captain of both the U18 and U21 Italian National teams, leading the former to a 2023 Eurohockey II-A Championship.
“There’s no difference between freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. I try to help everyone,” Eschoyez said. “The main thing is to support your teammates and also help them in every moment in the game.”
Eschoyez has supported her teammates in every way possible since arriving at Quinnipiac. Her statistics will stand out in the box score, but what the numbers don’t show is the leadership she has displayed in her short time at the school — a quality that hasn’t gone unnoticed by second-year head coach Nina Klein.
“A memory that I have is her first practice, she was literally teaching one of our senior captains a skill,” Klein said. “She goes about the way that she interacts with other people on the team in such a wonderful respectful manner.”
Eschoyez recalls that moment from her first practice.
“I remember that. I helped (senior defender) Kate Zamagni. I’m good with high balls and she was trying to do those,” Eschoyez said. “I said ‘Oh yeah, I can help you.’ So I talked to her and helped her with that.”
Eschoyez’s initiative translates to her play on the field, particularly in her versatility. Although she’s listed as a defender, Eschoyez has taken on nearly every position her team has needed to fill during her rookie season at Quinnipiac.
Eleven games into the season, injuries have begun to pile up in the backfield, affecting the team’s depth. Eschoyez is glad to step in on defense, even with her offensive prowess.
“I know how to play every position, it’s something that I learned because I’ve played on different teams. I have to do what the team needs,” Eschoyez said. “If they need me as a center back, I’m going as a center back. If they need me as a midfielder, I’m going as a midfielder.”
In short, she wears three hats.
As a defender, Eschoyez has consistently outworked opposing offensive players this season, effectively clearing the ball from the shooting circle under pressure.
In the midfield, she has utilized her stretching passing ability, sending the ball soaring into the attacking zone.
On the offensive end, Eschoyez has made her mark in the scoring column, leading the team in both goals and points.
“Her vision on the ball is fantastic. I really think she’s one of those players that you could put her anywhere, and she’d do what the team needs to achieve,” Klein said. “(Eschoyez) is going to do some amazing things in the years to come, but I think right now she’s being flexible in terms of where we need some extra support.”
She’s already hitting impressive milestones this season, currently tied at No.1 in the Big East conference with nine goals and tied No. 2 nationally among freshmen. Her performance this season has also led Eschoyez to earning Big East Rookie of the Week on Sept. 17 after her four-goal frenzy against Merrimack.
“It’s so important to me because I’m a person that enjoys the process, but I need outcomes from those. So I really appreciate those,” Eschoyez said. “I really think that those define me in some reason, and it’s like an award for all the stuff I’ve been doing since I started. So I think it’s really important to me, and it’s crazy to have that.”
Eschoyez has been the silver lining for a team that, at 2-9, has struggled in the Big East standings. If she continues to find success, regardless of the position she’s playing, it won’t be long until her next accolade.
