By Clare Nemsick and Jessica Mehrara
A challenging early fall schedule against top competition gave the Rye High School varsity field hockey team an idea of what it must do to compete for a sectional title.
Rye went 2-3 over five games in late September and early October, including losses to Mamaroneck, the reigning New York State Class A state champs, and Lakeland, winner of 14 straight Class B Section 1 titles, and a dominant 7-0 win over Hen Hud.
The games could help the team find future success if it improves its ability to “connect and finish,” coach Kelly Vegliante said.
The Garnets started the recent stretch by falling to powerhouse Mamaroneck, with junior goalkeeper Chloe Holden’s 26 saves a team bright spot. Rye then ran into John Jay Cross River, falling 3-0 to a rival that ended Rye’s season last year in an overtime shootout. Holden recorded 10 saves.
Vegliante praised the determination of her team, which had a number of scoring opportunities thwarted by John Jay’s tough defense.
“They kept fighting, fighting, fighting,” she said.
The team bounced back two days later, shutting out Somers, 3-0, with all three goals coming from junior captain Beau Whaling. Senior captain Rachel Kelly-Walsh assisted Whaling twice, with senior captain Caroline Doyle adding another assist.
Junior forward Maggie Swanson spoke glowingly of Whaling’s leadership, both on and off the field.
“Beau is always able to get the team hyped and ready for a game. We all know she always has our back on and off the field and her leadership skills really translate during games as she keeps the team composed,” Swanson said. “Her unselfish playing shows through as she is always hustling and setting up the team for success.”
On Oct. 1, the Garnets traveled to Lakeland, falling 4-0 to the Class B rival. Holden stood strong against the pressure with 10 saves.
The Garnets closed the five-game run on a high with a dominant 7-0 win over Hen Hud. Whaling had another impressive performance, with four goals and an assist. Senior Captain Caroline Doyle added a goal and an assist, with junior Kendall Bahl and sophomore Cate Puzzuoli each contributing a goal. Senior captain Kate Morreale had two assists and junior Sienna Myers had one.
The team hopes to build on that success as it continues the regular season and moves toward the playoffs.
