-By Clare Nemsick and Jessica Mehrara
Rye’s Varsity field hockey team continued its upbeat season with three more wins and only one loss in the last two weeks, raising their record to 5-1.
In the first win, against Pelham 3-0, Junior Sienna Myers scored just before the half, followed by goals from seniors Rachel Kelly-Walsh and Kate Morreale.
Junior Captain Beau Whaling attributed the team’s success to the players’ chemistry.
“We are clicking a lot on the field, and know when and where everyone is, so we can transfer the ball easily and send quick passes,” she said.
On Sept. 13, the Garnets fell to one of its toughest opponents, Horace Greeley, 2-0. But then they rebounded against Nyack at Nugent Stadium on Sept. 17, defeating the Redhawks 3-1.
Junior Kendall Bahl said the team recovered because of its work ethic.
“We all do our best to keep pushing each other and keep [the] focus for upcoming games,” she said.
The team has not been without its challenges. Junior goalkeeper Chloe Holden, a key part of the team for three years, had to sit out recent games with an injury. She has been ably replaced by sophomore Tessa Zicari.
“Tessa Zicari stepped up for goalie when Chloe was hurt,” Assistant Coach Theresa Jelelian said. “And when Chloe came back, she jumped right back in like nothing ever happened.”
On Sept. 19, the Garnets blanked Sleepy Hollow. Both the defense and midfield remained firm, preventing the Horsemen from moving the ball down the field. Offensively, the Garnets made well-thought out passes to open players and moved the ball effectively in the circle. The Garnets tallied a whopping six goals with a hat trick from Caroline Doyle, two goals from Kaitlyn Coyne, and one from Bahl.
“I think the team is doing a good job buying into the field hockey program,” Jelelian said. “The girls are … working hard during every practice and game and giving 100 percent.”
On September 23, the Garnets trounced Scarsdale 6-0. The Garnets put constant pressure on the Raiders defense and kept the ball in their opponent’s half. With 50 seconds left in the first quarter, Doyle scored, setting the pace for the rest of the game.
In the second quarter, Whaling scored one goal and provided an assist for Doyle, bringing the Garnets to a 3-0 lead. In the fourth quarter, Whaling tallied another goal and Doyle scored two more, both assisted by Mann.
The Garnets will be put to the test later in the season and in the playoffs against Section 1 Powerhouses JJCR, Mamaroneck, and Lakeland.
