Junior varsity field hockey has played five games and is 3-1-1. Led by coach Madison Averill, the team has three sophomore captains: Jenna Goldberg, Nikki Cohen and Paige Euler. “I think the team has improved so much since the start of the season,” Cohen said.

The team’s practices usually end with a scrimmage against the varsity team. “A typical practice starts with warm ups, which consists of running and stretching. Then we get into shuttles sometimes or partners passing. Then we do some drills or shooting,” Cohen said.

Although skill is a big part of high school sports, team bonding and creating friendships also is important to most, especially for fall sports since it is right at the start of the year. “My favorite thing about the team is the girls on the team are always there for you and so supportive,” sophomore Brooke Zweig said.

The team has played Kennedy, Rockville, Montgomery Blair, Whitman and, most recently, Richard Montgomery. “Our biggest challenge is that we will face some of the harder schools, however I know we can beat them if we put in all our effort,” Cohen said.

Many of this season’s players are returning to the team for a second time. However there are a few new players, both sophomores and freshmen alike. “Our team has definitely progressed. A lot of the girls were new to field hockey and are already improving so much,” Cohen said. 

Field hockey is a sport that needs skill, speed and aggression, most of which are taught and learned throughout the season. The team works hard every day to improve all of those things. “One personal goal I have is working on becoming a better defender and more aggressive,” Zweig said 

The team consists of 18 girls. New players have come to the team needing to learn some of the basics of the sport, having never played before. “Field hockey has no offsides but is such a fun sport everyone should try it,” Goldberg said.

Players look forward to team dinners and breakfasts as it gives them the time to bond and get to know their teammates. “I would start adding bonding into practices and weekends,” Goldberg said. 

Cohen and Goldberg have had a few impressive plays together this season.  Some of them have led to goals from either player. They play well off of each other and use the other as a passing option before running though to receive the ball on the other side of the defense. “I really hope to improve my individual skills as a player this season,” Goldberg said.

Freshman Sami Karcz is new to the sport but has gotten used to the game quickly. Passing off of other players and blocking the ball from an opposing team hit, she has shown improvement this season already. “I think this has been a good experience since I have never played before,” Karcz said.