Last year was the first year King had brought back girls field hockey, a sport that no girl in the school had professionally played. Yet when tryouts were announced, there was a group of girls back again, from last year bringing along new additions to build the team.
Last year was rocky, making it to semi finals and then falling short to MAC. However it was the team’s first year, without a single girl with experience. This year was a little different, the team had nine girls who had played before, and others who had experience in other sports like ice hockey that fed into their skill in the sport.
Their first game against Wexford was the first time the team was put to the test. Were they able to play cohesively?
Yes they were! Winning 1-0 to Wexford the girls played with confidence in stride. They continued to play normal season winning three games and only ending one game in a tie. The girls even managed to pull a 3-0 win against SATEC, thanks to a hat-trick performance from Elizabeth Hughes.
Playoff season was finally upon the girls, they did not want what had happened last season to occur again. Coming in at the top of their tier, they were facing David and Mary Thompson, who had only barely made the cut off to playoffs. Game day was cold, the weather not cooperating as the end of October was near. The duel was challenging, both teams were fighting for the finals spot, but in the end they pulled off a victory. 1-0 the girls passed the semi-finals and were medal-bound.
Finals day came around, King’s girls were up against Wexford again. The season had come full circle. King was the only school to hand Wexford a loss, and it had been their first game. This finals game was an entirely different story. Nerves were on end, but excitement bubbled. This was farther than they had ever come and they wanted the gold.
The weather was cold, no surprise it was early November after all. Captains were called, Madison Paisley, Natalia Mangos and Hirushi Madanayake went for the coin toss. The team got the choice of ball, and the most anticipated game was ready to begin.
Majority of the game was played offensively, with many short corners and shots, but the struggle for a goal was large. The second half came around and several minutes in, Elizabeth Hughes did it again. Scoring, giving King the upper hand. Now it was a defensive game, the girls needed this win. As the final minutes drew close the ball was sent into Wexford’s end, as there was a short corner called. Then chaos ensued as Wexford’s girls tried to push the ball out from their end unbeknownst to them Pethmi Jayatunge had taken the ball and scored! The King girls had cemented their gold medal dreams with a 2-0 lead with only a few minutes left.
As the match came to a dramatic end, the girls celebrated their win accordingly. King had gone from semi-final exits, to gold medal winners.
King has had an excellent season this year in Field Hockey and hopes to keep the legacy going next year! Shoutout to the senior girls who played their final season, Anica Ramanakumar, Thushara Gengaharan, (the best goalie), Kera Kosich,
Madison Paisley, Natalia Mangos and Hirushi Madanayake. It could not have been done without the hard work and dedication of their wonderful coach, Ms. Clish! She had dedicated many early mornings and late nights to the sport, doing her diligent research to perfect it for the girls.
Finally, to the King girls who did not join field hockey this year, but want to be a part of something so fun and unique, make sure to join the team next year!
