Walter Johnson field hockey has made a resilient comeback from their 0-2 record, winning two consecutive games against Paint Branch and Richard Montgomery respectively.
“It was really exciting to get that first win because we now know what winning feels like and it’s something that we know we can work towards… It completely turned the team dynamic around and motivated the girls to work for something that they knew was achievable,” senior Sammy Phelps said.
With high spirits, the team feels capable of great things.
The group picked up steam in the beginning of October. However, their next two games, they were faced formidable opponents in Poolesville and Wootton. The team had two hard fought losses the following two games but managed to bounce back after a convincing 3-0 shutout over Einstein. With three different goal scorers in Leah Greenberg, Ally Hilligoss and Molly Zwack, the team is full of strong players who are capable at performing at a high level.
The girls’ most recent game was an 0-1 loss to BCC. It was an exhilarating game with the goal scored in the final minutes of regulation. The team is hoping to look past this loss and focus on the season ahead.
“All of us are very close friends and so we work really well together. We’re excited for the rest of the season as playoffs are coming up,” senior Caroline Wasden said.
The team chemistry has definitely been on the incline since the beginning of the season and shows no signs of slowing down. This sense of comradery will likely prove to be essential in the postseason.
Wednesday, October, 17 was the squad’s senior night. They played Blair and celebrated a 1-0 win thanks to junior Ally HIlligoss. The goal put an end to the overtime thriller.
“The field hockey program was blessed with 11 amazing seniors who really put their heart and souls into this team. Coach Brager and I are so lucky to have been apart of these senior lives and watch them become the strong young women that they are today,” head coach Karen Mata said.
The girls took their momentum from their senior night game over to their first playoff game. A commanding 6-0 win against Wheaton propelled the team to the second round of the postseason.
The team’s next game is on Thursday October, 25 against BCC.
