By John Orrell, Contributing Writer
Worcester/Shrewsbury — There would be no hat tricks, double-digit scoring or overtime drama in Shrewsbury High School’s (SHS) varsity field hockey team’s season opener, and that’s just fine with second-year head coach Greta Gray.
It took just a single goal, scored by junior midfielder Kylian Kelly midway through the second half on a penalty stroke, to top host St. Peter-Marian High, 1-0, on Sept. 6 and set the Colonials 2016 campaign off to an auspicious start. Early-season victories are what every coach seeks as a springboard to building confidence and take the pressure off right from the outset, according to Gray.
“This (victory) is a huge relief. I think we’re going to gain momentum and that’s going to keep us winning games,” said Gray. “We really want to make Districts this year and not making it is not part of the equation.
“Having won today will increase our confidence and we already have been confident. Our captains did a lot this summer to introduce the freshmen. We have good players from JV but they’re all young and they’re teachable.”
“It’s definitely good to start off with a win,” echoed senior co-captain Maddison Sklar. “Everyone’s ready and confident. On and off the field we’re really bonded together and that’s really important.”
“We’re going into the season with a lot of optimism,” added fellow senior co-captain Rachel Connolly. “Today’s win helps that out but we have a lot of good players on the team and we’re excited to get things going. This win gives us all a good feeling.”
The afternoon matchup got off to a bumpy start for the Colonials who admittedly were largely outplayed in the first half before turning it around in the second. The contest had that feel that the first score would determine the outcome and that proved to be accurate thanks to Kelly’s clutch goal.
“I just knew I had to get it and I really didn’t want it to slip off my stick and not go in,” said Kelly of her eventual game-winner that was buried top-side left.” I had a pretty good feeling that it was going to go in. This felt really good because it was a stroke and we worked so hard for it.”
“The second half was a new game and I told them that at halftime to just start over,” Gray explained. “They did not look like Shrewsbury High varsity field hockey and they knew that. I think there may have been nerves there because we really wanted to win our first game and they really pulled it together.”
2015 was admittedly a rocky campaign for the Colonial girls who finished below .500 in Gray’s initial stint as head coach. Gray refers to last season as a “transition year” that allowed her and players to coalesce and developing a winning culture. With ten returning talented seniors and a backup cast of younger, skilled players, 2016 may well be that turning point for this SHS program.
“In my first year, I had to learn a lot,” Gray remarked. “They had to learn a lot and get used to me. I think we accomplished that so I think this year we can focus on other things like skills and working together on and off the field and winning games.”
“On and off the field we have great team bonding,” said senior co-captain Mary-Kate Pereira of the team’s outlook. “With all the work we’ve put in on and off-season, I think we’ve just clicked and that’s what’s working for us. We have a lot of experienced players and we kind of know how each other plays and what to expect when we’re out there.”
The 2016 Shrewsbury High varsity field hockey team includes seniors Rachel Connolly (Mid), Erin Lachapelle (Mid), Seta Migridichian (D), Mary-Kate Pereira (Mid), Margaret Power (Mid),
Kerrie Shapiro (D), Alexia Shea (D), Maddison Sklar (F), Alison Tocman (Mid), Meghan Warwick (D); juniors Michaela Breen (Mid), Julia Keenan (D), Lindsey McCarthy (F), Lauren Arpino (G), Julia Collins (Mid), Erin Considine (F), Ava Kalinowski (Mid), Kylian Kelly (Mid), Samantha Ljunggren (F), Lillian McManus (D); sophomores Meghan Connolly (G), Delaney Couture (F), Margaret Frederick (Mid), Phoebe Johnson (Mid) and freshman Isabella Sciplini (F). Coach Gray is assisted by Andrea DiTerlizzi.
Photos/Jeff Slovin