As the regular season for varsity field hockey is starting to wind down, the 10-2 team’s energy is not winding down. Rain or shine, hot or cold, home or away, the Patriots put their all into every game. Even though the regular season is over, the team isn’t close to being finished yet.

On Sept. 21, the Patriots faced off against the Richard Montgomery Rockets at home. Four goals were scored by junior Naomi Esterowitz and one was scored by senior Lauren Povich with an assist from Rae Weinstein. The final score was 5-3, with the Patriots taking a victory.

The team faced the Walter Johnson Wildcats for another home game on Sept. 28. There was an eventful first quarter with goals scored by junior Hayley Cooper, sophomore Josie Spicer and Esterowitz. The Wildcats scored twice in the third quarter after a scoreless second quarter, and Esterowitz scored once more for a Patriot win with a final score of 4-2.

The rain didn’t stop the Patriots from securing yet another victory at Bethesda-Chevy Chase (BCC) on Sept. 28. Spicer scored a goal in the first quarter with an assist from Esterowitz. Both teams powered through the slippery, wet turf as BCC tied up the game in the third quarter. As the game neared an ending, Esterowitz scored a goal with an assist by junior Katelyn Ahn.

After losing against BCC in the past, this year’s win was a sign of improvement for the Patriots. “It was a great opportunity for our team to show where they stand this year. We have not beaten them in the past three to four years so it was very exciting,” coach Terry DalleTezze said.

The rain persisted as the Patriots faced their rival, the Churchill Bulldogs, at home on Oct. 3. The team, especially senior and goalie Lily Leflore, senior Alli Cheng, senior Mandy Schoen, Esterowitz, and Spicer, showed powerful defense, blocking 16 of the 17 corner shots that the Bulldogs got. Corner shots allow for an opportunity for a team to take a shot with no defenders initially surrounding them, which increases the chances for the team to score. Unfortunately for the Patriots, the game ended 2-0 with the Bulldogs taking a victory. Even after the loss, the girls were in high spirits. “The rain did not impact us in any way. It was actually kind of fun. I think the girls like playing in the rain,” DalleTezze said.

The team played Gaithersburg for an away game on Oct 11. Both teams showed great defense as the first three quarters were scoreless. In the last quarter, though, Esterowitz and senior Sydney Kauff scored one goal each, sealing a victory for the Patriots

Before the game against Northwest on Oct. 14, the school hosted Senior Night to honor and send off the 12 senior players and one senior manager. Seniors were given gifts and flowers before the ceremony, where they were escorted by their parents. “I will miss the girls on the team as everyone is super kind and welcoming. They have given me a team to rely on,” senior Abby Dexter said.

On Oct. 17, the Patriots headed to Quince Orchard (QO) to face the Cougars. After a victorious semifinal playoff game for the Patriots in the 2021 season that ended in double overtime and double shootouts, this year’s game gave the team another opportunity to prove their skill. “I’m a little scared but I think we can [win],” Ahn said prior to the game.

The Patriots had a 2-0 shutout against the Cougars. Sophomore Jenna Goldberg scored with an assist from freshman Nicole Subiela and senior Ashley Cook scored with an assist from Spicer. This was Goldberg’s first goal scored on the varsity team as she was recently bumped up from junior varsity.

For the final game of the regular season, on Oct. 20 the team traveled to Paint Branch. During this game, the girls decided to switch up their positions with Leflore in midfield and senior Sofie Vinick in goal for the second half. It is rare for a team to cheer for the other team to get a corner shot, but the Patriots did for the game in order for Vinick to get a chance to get a save. Vinick ended up getting three saves, and the game ended with a final score of 6-1 for a Patriots victory. Goals were scored by junior Divya Subramanian, Kauff, Schoen, senior Kelsey Lubliner, Povich and senior Gillian Berman.

The team has a bye for the regional quarterfinals, but they will begin playoffs and face QO at home on Oct. 31.