Varsity field hockey opened their regular season at home with a resounding 6-0 win over the Clarksburg Coyotes on Sept. 5. After a strong pre-season, the team looks to continue building on their success and team chemistry.
Senior captain and Division One Georgetown University field hockey commit Nicole Subiela notched four goals. Sophomore Charlotte Saslowsky and senior captain Hayley Gottesman also each scored one goal, off assists from junior midfielder Jia Micalizzi. “Varsity has a lot of good players in all grade levels on our team, so it was cool to see that representation in our first game,” junior defender Gabi Estrada said.
Led by Gottesman, Subiela and remaining senior captains Addie Gorman, Sami Karcz and Danielle Rubin, field hockey looks to bounce back after a difficult 2024 season, going 4-9. “So far we are undefeated this 2025 season having played nine teams for scrimmages and games, we really want to keep that vibe going and hopefully become regional champs,” Estrada said.
Varsity coach Gina Britton, now in her fourth year with the team, and third as varsity head coach, also has high expectations going into the season. Britton looks to return to the playoffs for the third consecutive year as field hockey’s 2023 squad advanced to the state semi-finals. “My hopes are that this season we continue building a united front, sharing the workload and winning as a team. Things are really clicking so far, and I hope it continues,” Britton said.
According to Britton, this preseason consisted of focusing on injury management, conditioning, and building a better understanding of each other’s playing styles. “I’m hoping that this season’s results will reflect the work we put in during preseason,” Subiela said.
After being sidelined last year with an ACL injury, Subiela is set for a comeback season. “I love spending time with the team and after not being able to play last year my personal goal is to just give it my all in every game and have a good senior season,” Subiela said.
Building on their training, the players extra offseason work will be a key factor throughout the season. “It’s incredible the amount of work that the new and returning varsity players have put in in the offseason. They go to field hockey camps together, they play in a summer league, they play with their club teams and even all signed up to run the 5k bubble run together,” Britton said.
Coached by Eric Aguilera-Duran, JV is off to a strong start as well, winning their first preseason scrimmage against Walter Johnson. “The season is going amazing so far, it definitely helped me make more friends going into high school,” JV midfielder and freshman Anya Micalizzi said.
Catch both teams in their next home game today at 10 a.m. against Damascus.
