Homecoming is just around the corner, and that means one thing: students, families, teachers, and alumni–every type of Fieldston Eagle–will return to the nest for a day of sports and festivities. At Homecoming, both the Boys and Girls Varsity Soccer teams and Varsity Field Hockey team will take on the visiting Hackley Hornets. Additionally, Fieldston’s Varsity Water Polo team will face St. Benedict’s Prep, Girls Varsity Volleyball will face Calhoun, Girls Varsity Tennis will face Riverdale and Varsity Football will face Horace Mann. To preface this day of sports, I had the opportunity to hear from members of each fall sports team.
Thus far in the season, both Fieldston’s boys and girls varsity soccer teams have seen great success. “So far, the team has been off to a great start after securing wins against both Horace Mann and Riverdale. Natalie Delson (IV) and captain Sara Kunofsky (VI) have led the way, both with two goals in each game,” said GVS senior Catelin Bromfield. With a 2-2-1 record, we are all very excited to see the Girls Varsity Soccer team crush Hackley in front of our home crowd.
As for Boys Varsity Soccer, co-captain Asaf Grofman (VI) said: “We’re off to a strong start despite having many injuries.” Grofman added that “The crowds at our home games have been incredible and have helped us in tough games. We need their help again in the coming weeks and as we get into the playoffs. We’re confident about our chances to repeat [the championship], and we look forward to Homecoming.” BVS, having overcome the many injuries that riddled their roster, has been on a tear. They had three consecutive wins going into the beginning of October and currently hold a 5-1 record. After a 10-2 win at the last major Fieldston game on September 18th, we can all hope to see the team at their finest: bringing home a win at the nest.
Naomi Schatz (VI), co-captain of Varsity Field Hockey, is very optimistic for the team’s Homecoming match and the rest of their season. She said: “So far, Varsity Field Hockey has had a strong start with a 5-2 record, and the season looks more and more promising with each practice and game. The trajectory is surely only headed upwards.” Schatz then told me a bit more about the team’s season thus far: “Having everyone back on the field as a unit has been indescribable. Although we missed a year and graduated some great players, it has made our team even more determined to hone in on developing our skills, maintaining a winning attitude, and ultimately enjoying being in each other’s company. […] I am so proud of each individual on the team for staying focused and taking any obstacle in stride. On behalf of the team as a collective, we look forward to what the rest of the season has in store.”
According to captain Ritz Bordia (VI), the Fieldston Water Polo team is having a great time this season despite their losses. “Unfortunately, we are 1-2, with losses to Horace Mann and St. Peter’s Prep, and a win against Riverdale, but the season is looking great,” Bordia said. Although they may currently be under .500, we’re confident that the WaPo team will rally to bring home a win this Homecoming. Bordia agrees, “Water Polo is strong this year, and we are going to show it.”
Girls Varsity Tennis co-captain Amani Creamer (VI) also gave me an update on the tennis team, “Our score so far is 3-2, but we’ve been really close in all the matches we’ve lost.” On top of that, Creamer and co-captain Eve Hammerman (VI) are undefeated in their matches. All of us Eagles in the nest hope that the team continues to win matches, and we’ll be there to cheer them on at Homecoming!
Moreover, Varsity Volleyball captain LJ Grant (VI) filled me in on the team’s successes. “Our team this year has a lot of potential and some great talent. We have several new players who are really stepping up and making a difference on the court. We started the season off strong with only one loss and we are working hard everyday to make it our last! Our goal is to win Championships and with this team the outlook is good,” Grant said.
Although our Cross Country team won’t be competing at Homecoming, captain Gavin Kelly (VI) shared some of his thoughts on the team’s season: “We’re currently locked in a three-way battle for fifth place with Poly Prep and Horace Mann. By means of highlights from our last race, Miles Segal (V) finished seventh overall. We’re starting to find our team spirit. It’s gonna be a good season.”
Lastly, I had the opportunity to sit down with the starting Quarterback and co-captain of the Varsity Football Team, Billy Hort (VI). Hort seemed particularly excited for the Homecoming game this year against Horace Mann. Much of this excitement is fueled by the truly incredible comeback victory that the team had against Dalton on September 18th. “I’m really proud of all the guys for what we’ve accomplished so far this season. However, our goal isn’t to win two games, it is to win a league championship. Each game we win is just another step on a long journey ahead, and we just have to continue to work hard in practice and keep our spirits high. This team has become a family, and I think the special bond we all have with each other is what’s going to put us over our competition,” Hort said.
Although there is often a lot of hype around the annual Fieldston Homecoming, this year feels special. On the quad over the last few weeks, I’ve heard so many students using fun phrases to describe the energy around Fieldston Athletics this fall. “The nest is buzzing,” I’ve been told. Come to Homecoming 2021 on October 16th! The nest will be out in full force, buzzing and protected, for this year’s games.
