TMHS Field Hockey Continuously in Conference Top Three

The Tewksbury Memorial High School field hockey team is a force to be reckoned with in the Merrimack Valley Conference. 

Head coach Patricia Ryser is going into her 15th season leading the Redwomen. Her squad has qualified for the MIAA tournament in 13 straight seasons. 

"We have made it into the tournament every year except my first season when we had to rebuild," Ryser said. 

This fall season the varsity team will be led be senior captains, Ally Greene, Leanne Tucker, and Michelle Tully. 

Greene had a notable goal in the 2009-10 MIAA first-round tournament game against Bishop Fenwick. She scored in the second half, allowing her team to take the lead after a scoreless first half. Despite Greene's efforts, however, the goal wasn't enough to take the victory, and the Crusaders went on to win 3-1.

Greene's fellow captain, Tucker, made a name for herself as a dominant player in the conference when she was a Merrimack Valley All-Star selection for 2009-10. 

Tewksbury may have made a quick exit from the playoffs last season, but according to Ryser this isn't the norm. 

"We have won a few league championships and have gone deep into the tournament a few times. We are usually one of the top three teams in the league," Ryser said. 

This season, 44 girls tried out for the field hockey team, which is an enormous turnout, compared to many other TMHS athletic teams whose participation has been steadily on the decline, such as cross country and boys soccer.   

Tewksbury field hockey has a history of high-level play, and Ryser said some of her former players have taken their talents to the college level. 

The Redwomen had their first scimmage Aug. 30 at Reading. Both varsity and JV teams competed against the Rockets in a series of mini-games. 

Upcoming pre-season matches include a home scrimmage Sept. 3 versus Pentucket, and an away scrimmage Sept. 7 at Woburn. 

Tewksbury's first official league game will be Sept. 14 at home against North Andover at 3:30 p.m.