Sports
Strength in Numbers For MHS Field Hockey Team [VIDEO]
More than 75 field hockey hopefuls are hoping to join a varsity squad that is expected to have another outstanding season in the NEC.
Although 's field hockey team lost just about every member of last season’s varsity squad, this year’s group is more than confident that 2011 will be another season to remember.
Coach Linda Collins’ team went 16-1-1 last season, and she said she is encouraged to see that this year’s team will be loaded with girls who have great speed.
“One of our strong points is definitely quickness on the ball, and we have a lot of girls coming out this year which is a credit to them,” Collins said. “We had a good scrimmage against Newburyport on Wednesday, it ended at 1-1, the girls controlled long stretches of play and they looked very good.”
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Marblehead lost in the first round of the state tournament to Bishop Fenwick on penalty strokes last season, a very tough way to lose a playoff game. The team also has to figure out a way to beat their Northeastern Conference nemesis Beverly. Marblehead lost to the Panthers 1-0 last season and managed to pull out a 3-3 tie against them late in the season.
“Absolutely looking forward to playing Beverly,” co-captain Amanda Rosenberg said. “They’re like us, they’re fast and they're probably the only team that can really run with us.”
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Marblehead will get a chance to beat Beverly right away; the two teams meet in the first game of the upcoming season, Thursday Sept. 8 at at 3:45 p.m.
“We had 42 girls that committed to playing at UNH every Monday night over the summer, this group is determined not to have this be a rebuilding year,” Collins said.
“I’m counting on my three captains on offense this year, Amanda Rosenberg, Liza Kaplan and Ellie Rousseau,” Collins said. “At midfield Tyler Phillips has some experience and Cindy Andrews is going to wreak some havoc on the other teams as well.”
“I’m counting on my other seniors stepping up, Brittany Keroack, Alex Summers, Emma Drooks and I’ve got Zoe Weems in goal and she’s been looking good,” Collins said.
Collins said it’s not hard to come back year after year to coach the girls - this season will be her 34th as a coach in Marblehead.
“I love the game, I love the challenge, the girls give me 100 percent all the time and they’re a great group to work with,” Collins said.
Sari Gilbert will coach the junior varsity this season.
“We’re really excited to start the season and get the ball rolling,” Liz Kaplan said. “We’re a young team, but we’re a fast team so we should be able to use that to our advantage.”
