The varsity field hockey team opened with a 2-1 win in their first game against Sherwood on Friday, Sept. 6.
The Patriots started the preseason with a home scrimmage on Aug. 22 against BCC, resulting in a 2-0 loss. They then played Kennedy on Aug. 23, taking home a 5-0 win and boosting players’ confidence. The last preseason game occurred on Aug. 26 at Connelly School of the Holy Child and ended with a 3-0 loss for the Patriots. “We have been looking good. We definitely have improved throughout our scrimmages and have come together as a team,” senior captain Jenna Goldberg said.
The team has put work into their practices and getting back into the groove from a long summer break. “I am hoping to strengthen the culture of Wootton field hockey and make it a team other teams admire for their hard work, athletic prowess and sportsmanship. I know playing against great teams with bad attitudes was the worst. Luckily, I was blessed with the best team of student-athletes on and off the field,” varsity coach Gina Britton said.
The game against Sherwood started by showing the skills the Patriots had been working on throughout the preseason. “As predicted, our team was able to see the areas they needed to work on and how to come together, I see that as a win,” Britton said.
With fast footwork from junior Sami Karcz (this writer’s sister) and collaborative effort from team members such as seniors Josie Spicer and Paige Euler, the team kept the ball on Sherwood’s end of the field for most of the first half. “The teamwork is wonderful. I assign tasks to everyone. We all have roles that change at a second’s notice. My theory is that we are all a part of a team, and we should all know and be willing to do it all. This team has ‘teamwork’ on lock,” Britton said.
During the third quarter, Goldberg scored with an assist from senior captain Nikki Cohen, putting the Patriots up by one. “All last season, we were confident in our ability to go far, and I want our team to continue to have the confident attitude as we begin our season this year,” Goldberg said.
Starting the fourth quarter, the Patriots were ready to finish the game strong but the Warriors tied the game with three minutes remaining. Not letting it get to their heads, the Patriots came back and scored a second goal by sophomore Kate Bardill with only a minute left. “Couldn’t ask for anything better. We pulled through in the last quarter. We did what we had to do to get the win,” senior captain and goalie Mckenna Kupersmith said.
JV also came through with a win against Sherwood, battling to overtime and ending 1-0 with a goal by freshman Charlotte Saslowsky.
Varsity’s next home game is on Monday, Sept. 16, against the Churchill Bulldogs at 7 p.m. “Come watch the team play and show your support for the Wootton field hockey program #rollpats,” Britton said.
