It took them a little longer than they would have liked, but the Rye Country Day field hockey team captured their third NYSAIS State championship November 6 at Manhattanville, with a 2-1 overtime win over top-seeded Nichols.

 

By Andrew Farber

It took them a little longer than they would have liked, but the Rye Country Day field hockey team captured their third NYSAIS State championship November 6 at Manhattanville, with a 2-1 overtime win over top-seeded Nichols.

With a 1-0 lead and less than two minutes remaining in regulation, the Wildcat fanbase rose to their feet to begin cheering what looked to be the program’s fourth all-time State title grab. But, with only seconds remaining, the unthinkable happened. After another of senior goalie Kate Moelis’ wondrous saves – the captain finished with 12 in all – Nichols was able to get a stick on the rebound to tie the game and send it to OT.

Despite the momentum shift in favor of the Buffalo school, second-seeded Rye Country Day cashed in on a corner four minutes into overtime. Freshman forward Mariana Lee dished it to senior captain Carly Lovejoy, who found freshman Emily Duarte in front of the cage. The forward buried the shot to put RCDS up, and from there Moelis closed it out with a pair of spectacular diving saves on what looked to be prime scoring opportunities for Nichols.

 

“All in all it was a huge team effort, but Moelis made some amazing, crucial saves that truly kept us in the game,” said senior captain Sammy Stavis. “We asked for the team to play perfectly and every player stepped up her game. It was the ideal way to end our season.”

 

Despite her near-flawless postseason performance, Moelis remained humble after the game. “It was a collaborative effort. The offense scored early and the defense helped keep the ball away from the goal,” she said. “I’m really proud of everyone and even though it is sad our season is over, we ended on a very high note.”

 

Rye Country Day’s first score came with 16 minutes remaining in the first half. After a save by Moelis, the Wildcats were back on the attack, as junior Clare McClintock weaved through defenders, with Lee eventually finding the back of the goal. Moelis and McClintock continued to dominate in regulation, with Moelis making save-after-save, and McClintock streaking past defenders.

 

Both teams buckled down on defense. The RCDS unit, led by seniors Ali Mann and Catie Cole, was impenetrable. Stavis and junior Eve Wulf also made key defensive plays. On the few occasions that a Nichols forward managed to sneak by, Moelis was there to snuff her out.

 

Although Rye Country Day finished the season with a sparkling 9-1-3 record, their only loss coming to annual stalwarts Greenwich Academy, they did not get a ticket to the New England Private School Association tournament. It would have been the first in the program’s history.

 

The Wildcats graduate eight seniors this year, but will return a talented junior class along with a host of freshmen who made their mark