Valerie Perkins couldn’t have scripted a better opening week as Rye field hockey’s new head coach.
The Garnets beat their first two opponents by a combined score of 15-0, shutting out Pelham in an 8-0 road win Wednesday and Ursuline 7-0 in the home opener Saturday.
At Pelham, Rye scored just three minutes into the contest and got goals from six different players, showing the versatility and depth of this year’s roster.
Junior forward Olivia Prata led Rye with three goals against the Pelicans. Beau Whaling had a goal and three assists, including one to her fellow senior captain, Sienna Myers, for the game’s first score.
“Beau Whaling had a great game,” Perkins said. “The energy and preparation going into this game really showed … It was a great team win.”
Senior forward Maggie Swanson and midfielders Kendall Bahl and Kaitlyn Coyne produced the team’s other three goals. Chloe Holden, senior starting goaltender, recorded her first shutout of the season with three saves.
“For my first game, I felt confident in our team and the preparation we had put in,” Montano said. “I knew our team was ready, and that gave me a sense of calm and excitement going into the debut.”
RYE 7, URSULINE 0 – The final score may have been similar in the Garnets’ second game, but the Koalas put up more of a fight until the final quarter.
Rye led 3-0 after three quarters before pulling away late. Whaling led the offense with three goals and an assist, and Prata scored twice. Myers and senior Issy Mann netted the game’s other two goals.
Montano was pleased to see a second-straight shutout by Holden, and said the goal for her team moving forward is to continue making quick decisions when in possession and, “let the ball do the work.”
