Page 66 - CLS Digital Magazine Fall 2021

FIELD HOCKEY RECAP
VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY
This field hockey program has had a fantastic year, spearheaded as ever, by its excellent varsity squad. Although falling in the Final Four is a heartbreaker for any team, I am immensely proud of what these girls have achieved. A record of 16-7 with 77 goals for and 17 against speaks to how well we have played, and how tight the games were, even when we didn’t win. I feel blessed that my first year as program head has been filled with such remarkable personalities and talented athletes. We attack as a unit, and the energy on and off the field is one of complete togetherness. Throughout the season we have focused on self-belief, support and courage. I have no doubt that these athletes will embody those qualities to huge success in their years to come.
As heartbreaking and bittersweet as it will be for me to see our current seniors continue their journeys into the world outside of Latin, with 8th grade and JV having such incredible seasons, it’s an exciting consolation to see how bright the future looks for us. And of course, that is in no small part inspired by the great example our current seniors have set through their commitment to our program over the years.
JUNIOR VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY
The 2021 JV Field Hockey team produced a season to remember: twenty-three dedicated and skilled field hockey players showed up to each practice and each game ready to work hard and have fun. Led by junior captains Kate Jones and Biz Neely, the team’s success was the product of their willingness to focus not just on the “me” aspect of personal skill development, but rather the “we” aspect of team development. Captured by the group’s use of double shoulder squeezes before every practice and every game to represent our “team first” attitude, the girls dedicated their efforts to making themselves better players by helping their teammates become better players. The attitude and character of this year’s squad are what contributed most to the team’s successful season: an undefeated 18-0 record, outscoring their opponents 91-4. Even in goal scoring, the effort was distributed across the team. Four different players scored double-digit goals for the year, 12 of 23 players scored at least one goal, and 10 players added at least one assist. This season will be a foundation for many seasons to come!
8TH GRADE FIELD HOCKEY
It was an amazing season for the 2021 8th grade Field Hockey team! We ended the season with a 16-0-4 record, winning the GCMSAA Championship and the end of the season Pride Tournament. We had a small team of 13 players who worked hard, played as a team and were a joy to coach. Our team was committed to help- ing each other get better and supporting each other as well. We were dominant against other teams in Charlotte. At the end of the regular season, we had out- scored our opponents 48-4. This team has set the bar high for others that follow.
7TH GRADE FIELD HOCKEY
7th Grade Field Hockey wrapped up with an impressive 12-3-0 record. All three losses were redeeming matches, a good sign of the strength of field hockey in the area. A few highlights of the season from the girls: “I learned a sport I had never tried before,” “Scoring the winning goal against PD in the last 30 seconds of the game,” “Singing on the bus on the way home from Summit,” “Varsity led practice,” “Learning advanced dodges,” and. “Feeling welcomed among teammates.” What fun we had!
64 CHARLOTTE LATIN BOOSTER CLUB SPORTS MAGAZINE | FALL 2021