Absegami Field Hockey Team Drops to 0-2, But is Growing as a Team

The Absegami High School field hockey team is focusing on what they can become.

The Braves graduated 10 players from last year's squad, and are left with a host of underclassmen playing at the varsity level.

Their youth and inexperience was apparent on Tuesday afternoon, as host Absegami lost 4-0 against a quality Atlantic City team.

The Braves, who dropped the season-opening game, 1-0, to Holy Spirit, are 0-2 this season.

Despite the latest loss, the Braves came away with a positive feeling.

"This is definitely a building year for us," said Kelsey Chatten, one of two returning seniors on the team. "We have a lot of new girls and we are inexperienced, but the girls are doing great for just coming out. The girls who are returning are improving. We are getting a lot better. I see nothing but positives out there."

"We have a lot of young girls out there," Absegami coach Kim Briles said. "It's a tough loss, but I’m pleased with what is happening with my girls. I'm seeing a lot of growth."

She added: "We are putting freshman in key positions and with injuries, we are moving some girls around. I'm not disappointed. I see a lot of hope and promise. I want to win and score, but Atlantic City played a good game."

The Vikings scored a pair of goals in each half, with Alana Sterr and Emily Wolfson finding the back of the cage in the first half. Alyssa McKenna and Molly Wolfson tallied goals in the second half.

Atlantic City controlled possession for most of the game, but Absegami had its chances in front of the Atlantic City goalie. However, the Braves are still trying to find the scoring touch early in the season.

"We need to finish," Briles said. "We need to finish plays. It was a nice game. I would have liked to poke some through. Who knows what could have happened. But I'm proud of my girls, and the adjustments they made."

Jessie Leak is the other returning starting senior on the squad, along with Chatten. The senior duo likes what they have seen from the younger players, and is ready to play a larger role this season.

"Being a senior I have to be a little tougher on the girls that just arrived, but it's only because I love them and I want them to get better," Leek said. "The freshmen are awesome. They are beating players that are seniors."

Leek also believes the Braves will be a better team as the season progresses.

"We need to execute goals," she said. "Other than that, we are getting stronger as a team."