The varsity field hockey team had an unusual start to the 2021 season as they were without head coach Mike Bryant due to COVID-19. However, Bryant’s absence has allowed assistant coach Ann Marie Westmoreland to step in.
¨It felt weird without him because our assistant coach, Westmoreland, isn’t as loud. Normally coach Bryant would be yelling on the sidelines,¨ sophomore Jacqueline Dusart said.
Along with many fall sports last year, field hockey’s season was postponed until the spring due to COVID-19. Though the team was grateful to have a season at all, there were several requirements they had to follow in order to play safely.
Though restrictions are less strict this year, COVID-19 has still impacted the team, taking away their beloved coach. Still, the Titans have persevered despite the obstacles.
“The girls have gotten along so well, and have played very well so far, and our record shows that,¨ Westmoreland said.
With only a couple of weeks left in the season, the girls have a 7-5 record as well as being 4-2 in conference play. The pressure will be on with a final conference game against Reagan Oct.21 . The last time the two teams met was in August, with the titans coming out on top 4-3, in triple overtime. Based on how they do these last two games and how all the other teams do will be the deciding factor of whether or not they will make it to the playoffs.
“At stake is some of our last games together since us (seniors) won´t be back next year and we worked so hard this year and it would mean a lot to the team to make a deep run in the playoffs, it would help the team next year knowing that they have a high ceiling and can do well,” senior captain Anna Frucht said.
The team has no newcomers this year because they added a JV team this year where their underclassmen play and also allow them to better understand the game and develop their skills.
The ladies have ended the regular season with a 9-5 record while being 6-2 in conference play. That record solidified a spot as the No. 7 seed in the playoffs and they will play Cardinal Gibbons at home on Oct. 25.