Field hockey is ready for a comeback

Captains and managers are looking forward to another chance at becoming state champ

By Olivia Krout and Cora Tinker

Last year during the athletic season of Fall 2021, the WHS field hockey team made it to the state finals before losing to Guilford. This year, the team hopes to recreate their success, but take it one step further and become state champions. “I think we definitely have the potential to make it there again,” said senior Gabriella Tomaino, one of three varsity captains.

Cheryl Gleason was a team member playing for the freshman and JV teams until her senior season this year when she made the switch to varsity manager. “It was great to see my friends take their team and WHS that far last fall. It was a disappointing loss, but I was proud of them anyway.”

Olivia Pellegrino was a manager of the team during their close state win last year. “It was so exhilarating, so exciting even though I wasn’t the one playing, it was so amazing watching the girls compete so hard and them getting so excited.” 

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Gleason and Pellegrino don't play or practice with the team, but they have a unique insight into players' stats and potential. Responsible for marking down fouls, corners, and goals, they attend every game and track all progress. “We lost a lot of our starters and there was a lot of talent in our graduating class last year, but I believe that with our work ethic we can get there again,” Gleason said when asked about the team’s future prospects.

Gleason isn’t the only one who’s noticed the absence of the Class of ‘22 on the field. “I have played field hockey for 7 years and this is the first year that I've played without the girls in the grade above me. But even though I don't have them to look up to on the field anymore, I am trying to be that person that some of the younger girls on the team can look up to,” said Maddie Gove, a team captain and senior, who was a part of last year’s varsity team. 

Despite the noticeable loss, this year's field hockey team has a record of 5 wins, 1 loss, and 1 overtime tie with a potential place in the 2022 State Finals. Although they have a long fight ahead of them, they have WHS’s unwavering support and we are all rooting for them.

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