The good thing about being at the bottom is that you can only go up from there.

Yet, for Quinnipiac field hockey, climbing that mountain has been challenging, especially since the last time it had a winning record was over a decade ago.

Twelve years to be exact.

Last season, Quinnipiac went 2-16 overall, while not winning a single conference game.

Since joining the Big East in 2016, Quinnipiac field hockey has yet to even advance to the playoffs; however, that could all change this season.

“We’re looking to do great things this season,” junior defense Katie Shanahan said. “We know where our heads are at and you know, we work hard every day at practice, and it translates directly to the game.”

The translation from practices to games has already been in full effect for the Bobcats this season. Quinnipiac has already broken its win total from last season, currently sitting 3-1 at the time of publication.

And not only have the final scores shown growth within the program, but a closer look at the stat sheet drastically shows their growth from last season.

At the time of publication, the Bobcats have outscored their opponents 10 to 3, with an average goals per game of 2.50.

This same time last season, the stats read very differently for the Bobcats, being outscored by their opponents 9 to 4.

“Our team grew in playing the full 60 minutes this season,”  Shanahan said. “Everyone’s out there, obviously working hard and putting in 110% on the field every play, and everyone’s bought in from all aspects of the team.”

Head coach Nina Klein is entering her third season with Quinnipiac, previously serving as assistant coach for the Bobcats for four seasons. Klein’s hard work, determination and drive contribute to the team’s strong culture that it has developed.

“When Nina Klein took over a few years ago, we adapted some new values and tried to really have a way of going about things with our culture,” senior forward Cameron Brower said. “I think that the returners have pushed that and really lived that every day in practice, on and off the field.”

Returners are a strong asset to any team, especially for this year’s squad. This season, the Bobcats see 16 familiar names on the roster, providing a great backbone for their ability to compete this season.

The magnitude of returners provides the Bobcats with the experience of competing together and the leadership that the team has been longing for.

“Something that I’ve been emphasizing is just team hockey,” Klein said. “We have a lot of talent. We have some depth, especially in our sophomore, junior and senior class, in terms of, you know, some returners that are getting substantial minutes.”

And this depth can be found all over the roster, especially in the three captains, Brower, Shanahan and senior goaltender Cristina Torres, as well as senior midfielder Mo Quaile.

“Having two senior captains and then one Junior captain, with Katie Shan, has been fantastic as well. And they’re really doing a good job of bringing the younger ones under their wing,” Klein said. “We talk a lot about onboarding and making sure that people you know feel like they belong, and you know, just easing that transition for the first years, our seniors have done a really good job with that.”

Along with the upperclassman squad, sophomore midfielder Francisca Eschoyez is a name to watch out for on the Bobcats.

The Turin, Italy native came in full force during her first season in Hamden, making a name for herself in the Big East conference. During her freshman season, Eschoyez led Quinnipiac in points with 22, coming on 10 goals and 2 assists. She further led the Bobcats with 31 shots on goal on the season, and tied a program record with four goals against Merrimack on Sept. 15, a record previously set in 1999.

Eschoyez was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team, NFHCA Mideast Region Second Team and NFHCA Division 1 National Academic Squad. In just four games played this season, Eschoyez is already setting the bar high, with nine points, coming on three goals and three assists.

On top of all its returners, Quinnipiac also has six newcomers, bringing new talent and skills to its squad.

With the mix of returners and newcomers, the Bobcats have a balance of experience and unpredictability, giving them the ability go far this season.

“A team motto that we have this year is we win or we learn,” Klein said. “I think we’re going to win a lot of games this season. But even if, you know, we have a couple of matchups, either in Big East or non-conference, that are challenging, we’re going to use it as kind of a stepping stone for growth.”

And for a team that is looking for growth this season, team culture greatly comes into play. A team with a great culture allows players to connect with one another on and off the field, allowing a great competitive dynamic.

“Our team culture and buy in has greatly had an impact on our season thus far, and our team has worked really well together,” Shanahan said. “Everyone gets along and our team collaboration both, on the field, at practice, in the weight room, off field, our team culture is just great. I mean, I’ve never been on team with this great culture.”

So, the question now is, can Quinnipiac field hockey truly make program history this season?

All signs point to yes, but with 14 games left on the season, time will only tell what’s in store for the Bobcats.