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Rachel Stream was one of Poolesville's greatest field hockey players ever, simply because she was a goal-scoring machine. The Gazette Player of the Year was a senior in 2007 and graduated with a school-record 55 goals.

But Stream's skills run much deeper than that.

Her play at Old Dominion University (Va.) has proved it, after being moved from the front line to the backfield by head coach Beth Anders.

"It has [been a tough transition], but I've always had a defensive mind set," Stream said.

Stream earned Colonial Athletic Association All-Rookie team last fall and has also flashed the offensive punch she showed in high school. While playing mostly in the back last year, Stream was still placed into the Monarchs' penalty corner-taking team.

"Rachel is an incredibly talented athlete," said former Quince Orchard field hockey coach and current Holy Cross athletic director Jenna Ries, who coached Stream at the club level.

Also on that club team were Lucy Hayes (Holton-Arms), Natalie Ellenberger (Quince Orchard) and fellow Quince Orchard graduate Monica Baick, who has similarly adapted to a new role at Drexel University (Pa.).

Baick, a full-time starter in the midfield this season, had the offense run through her with the Cougars. An '07 All-Gazette first-teamer, she finished with 12 goals and eight assists as a senior.

But she's a facilitator now, helping the offense flow to others. So far, that strategy has worked for the Dragons, who entered Friday's match with Old Dominion ranked 12th in the nation by the STX/NFHCA Division I Poll. At 9-2, they average over four goals per game.

"I'm the left midfielder in most games," Baick said. "I'm one of the passers in the midfield. ... I've got great coaches and great players. They've really helped me [and] we're having a really good season."

Though Baick only has one assist, she's forced her way into the starting lineup after appearing in nine matches as a freshman. She scored a goal on her lone shot of the season against St. Francis.

"She is a natural for hockey; she is agile, quick, and her skills sets are exceptional," Ries said. "I am so pleased to see the athletes out in the Division I arena having such an impact.