In three games, varsity girls field hockey flipped the switch. Opening their fall season with a 0–6 loss against Leigh High School and pulling through with a 6–0 win against Carmel High School  in two weeks, the team is ready to tackle its season, new and improved. 

“I’m hopeful by the end of the next two weeks, we’re really coming together and getting towards our team goals for each game, and just really progressing along the way,” varsity head coach Mary Donahue said. 

It’s a step up from last year, with a season Donahue described simply as “good.” The team finished fifth in the league and ended its season with the first round of CCS.

“I think we were close to being much more competitive but didn’t really get there,” Donahue said. “I expect this season to be better because we have had massive changes in the way they set up our league.” 

This year, instead of a higher and lower division, schools will play against other schools of a similar caliber in order to “even it out,” Donahue said.

In addition to logistical changes, the team hopes that improving unity will also help its record, according to captain senior Alison Wilson and junior Chloe Caldbeck.

“Last year, we didn’t come together as a team until the middle of the season and it was too late,” Chloe said. 

However, Alison also said the team was able to improve from game to game. 

According to Donahue, the team’s adaptivity and talented roster are its strong suits.

“This year we are already more cohesive and the team includes kids from across the grades, even a freshman,” Donahue said. “Talent-wise, we’ve got the skills and right now we’re just learning how to play together as one team.”

Beyond their skills on the field, the team also develops a sense of community off of it. According to Alison and Chloe, team unity and cohesion are necessary for athletic success, which the team has worked towards through bonding and trips. 

“When I joined freshman year the team just made me feel very welcomed,” Alison said. “I made a lot of friends quickly and it’s a very close-knit team.”

Team leadership has also always been central, and the captains are likeable, vocal leaders, according to Donahue.

“They provide a nice balance of leadership, and it was the most unanimous vote for three captains I’ve ever had, so that’s always a good thing,” Donahue said.

According to Chloe and Donahue, the team has ambitious goals for this season, plus the confidence required to achieve them. 

“I just really want to win,” Chloe said. “I think we can beat some of the really hard teams.”

“I’d like to go further in CCS — that’s my goal for this season,” Donahue said. “We’re still playing in a really strong league, but we’re pretty darn good.”

The Eagles now have a 1–2 league record and will play St. Francis High School at home today at 4 pm.