The field hockey team, coached by Diane Toth, has typically performed well, but for the past ten years, there has been one thing the team has not been able to do: beat Hackley. Year after year, Fieldston has suffered loss after loss against the rival school… until now.
The Varsity Field Hockey team has been on fire this season, they are currently undefeated and have only been more fueled by their 2-1 win against Hackley on September 18th. On the game, goalscorer Ava Meisel (Form VI) is thinking of championships: “Scoring that goal was just an incredible feeling because we’ve worked so hard for this, and to be that trendsetting year… I just know Ivy League and NYSAIS are in our future.”
With each win, the title of Ivy League Champions becomes more and more likely to come to Fieldston.
One can give some credit to that game for fostering more passion within the players, a passion that can only come from believing in oneself. When asked if the win installed a new confidence for the team, Coach Diane Toth replies, “Absolutely. When you play exceptionally well against a team that has always been atop of the league, and you play better than them in the game, that gives you an advantage for every other game down the season. It gives confidence to the players, it gives them the wherewithal to work extra hard and understand that they are capable of winning when they might not have had that feeling in previous years.”
Within the past few weeks, the players have only gotten closer. Struggling, prevailing and succeeding as a group is an amazing feeling that can only be provided by working as a team. Field Hockey has provided so many friendships for people, and the high of beating a rival has only made the team tighter. After the win, the team’s leading goalscorer, Lily Saal (Form V) noticed that “The group chat is always blowing up, I’ve seen a lot more hugs, it’s just: winning brings people together.” As the season goes on, the school wishes for continued success for Varsity Field Hockey and hopes are high in regards to their future.
