Unfortunately for the Rye field hockey team, the third time was not the charm. The top-seeded Garnets fell 4-0 to No. 2 Lakeland in the Class B Section championship November 6 at Arlington High School. It was the third consecutive time Rye reached the finals, only to be turned back by the rival Hornets.
By Melanie Cane
Unfortunately for the Rye field hockey team, the third time was not the charm. The top-seeded Garnets fell 4-0 to No. 2 Lakeland in the Class B Section championship November 6 at Arlington High School. It was the third consecutive time Rye reached the finals, only to be turned back by the rival Hornets.
At the end of the first half, the teams were tied 0-0. But Lakeland didn’t waste any time in the second half, as senior captain Emma Bozek put her team up 1-0 with only 2:30 gone by. The Hornets tacked on two more goals in the next 9:30 to put Rye away.
Despite the disappointing finish to their season, the Garnets have much to be proud of. They finished 16-2-1, and walked away with a host of individual awards. Senior Emma Brinkman, the top scorer with 27 goals and 10 assists, earned All-State, All-Section, and All-League awards.
Seniors Annie Van Wagenen (the second-highest scorer with 17 goals and 12 assists) and G.G. Fitzgerald also earned the same trio of accolades.
Senior Tori Virtue won All-League and All-Section, and Alex Bennett took home All-League and All-Section Honorable Mention. Seniors Katie Killip and Claire O’Callaghan were All-League recipients as well.
“Our field hockey season was absolutely amazing,” said Van Wagenen. “We became a family and I wouldn’t change anything about it. Although we lost in the Section finals, which was heartbreaking, I am still so proud of my team. Everyone stepped up and put in a tremendous amount of effort. We defeated Mamaroneck, and played Darien very closely. As much as I wish our season was still going, I am so happy with everything and had a fantastic year.”
The Garnets captured the League title by going undefeated in League play, which earned them the top seed in the Section playoffs. After dispatching Harrison easily in the quarterfinals, they took on Nyack at home November 4. Rye immediately took control, and played tough and aggressive for 60 minutes in a 3-0 win. Virtue’s corner goal, which came five minutes into the first half, set the tone. Bennett added a second goal 16 minutes later, and Van Wagenen made it 3-0 with four seconds left in the half.
Head coach Emily Fitzgerald praised her seniors, which, aside from the aforementioned award winners, included Courtney Cypher, Bridget Nagle, Kathryn Lavelle, Lily Stearns, and Abby Regan.
“We had so many girls contribute with goals, assists and defense,” said Fitzgerald. “It was a very well-rounded and complete team.”
