Following a crushing loss to Churchill in their final game of the year, the varsity field hockey team was unable to finish its short lived 2021 season with a win against their rival. Overall, the team, led by senior captains Jamie Stern, Laura See and Darcey Touchette, had a fun season with several high points and created memories that will last a lifetime, despite a global pandemic.

On Apr. 13, the team, coming in with a record of 2-2, matched up against a tough Churchill squad looking to finish the season with a winning record and a revenge win against their archrival. From start to finish the game was tight, eventually going into double overtime, tied 0-0. Churchill was able to put one in and win the game 1-0. “This loss was devastating because we lost to them in the playoffs last year and this was our last game for the seniors,” junior captain Emily Levine said.

Although the season didn’t end as hoped, there were still several highlights that made it one to remember. The team finished the season with a record of 2-3, beating two good teams, Whitman and Sherwood. Their high-powered offense was led by Touchette and freshman Naomi Esterowitz, and junior Jenna Siebert held down the defense in goal. “Although we did not finish the season the way we wanted too, I still had so much fun with all the girls,” Touchette said.

This season was overall a success, given that there were several new players on the team and a global pandemic is going on. The team followed all COVID protocols, finishing the season with zero COVID cases within the program. “As a team we did a great job adjusting and compromising with all the guidelines that were put in place. It was tough at times but we made it work and had a safe and successful season,” Siebert said.

In addition to the new members of the varsity team, there was a new coach this year. Coming in the players were not sure how well they would gel with a new coaching staff with little time to prepare for their season, but it ended up working out. “The team as a whole and the new coaching staff worked very well together. The coaches were super nice and knew a lot about field hockey, so we were able to learn a lot and grow as a team,” Levine said.

Looking forward, the future is bright for the field hockey program for years to come. This year’s varsity squad consisted of students across all four grade levels. “I think we are going to be really good in the next few years because we have a lot of really good sophomores and juniors in the program,” junior Sage Gardiner said.