I can honestly say that being a part of the field hockey team this year meant a new challenge and more excitement each week of the season. The regular season was full of success stories: our team was undefeated in every game we played and secured the Patriot League Championship for the second year in a row. More than that just the wins, though, every goal we set for ourselves as a team was accomplished. We tied and even beat some of the tougher teams in our league such as Hingham, Scituate, and Duxbury, and fine-tuned our stick skills as a team. I have played this sport for four years now and never before have I seen the Hanover Field Hockey program so in sync on the field or so motivated at practice. The regular season came to a close with a record of 18-0-4 and a few memorable events. Varsity head coach Judy Schneider celebrated her 500th win as a high school coach in an October game against Pembroke, and Hanover was victorious in the senior day game. Fourteen seniors will be graduating from the team this June and the underclassmen made sure everyone knew they would be missed.

The close of the regular season on October 30th was really just the beginning. As league champions, we were preparing for the tournament games to come. To the amazement of many, we beat both Holliston and Cohassett and became the Division 2 South Champions for the first time in over 20 years. Our final test came against Watertown, the division 2 North Champions. Not only does their program start in elementary school, but Watertown High School is double the size of Hanover. There was also the fact that they have been undefeated for 158 games straight. . .

Our team did not go down without a fight, however, and everyone played their hardest on a freezing November night in Canton. Coach Schneider knew what we were up against us and told us that she was just expecting everyone to do the best they could against one of the toughest teams in the state.

“Watertown can do everything,” Coach said. “They were like a college team. You normally have to concentrate on one or two people, but Watertown makes you concentrate on five or six players.”

That may have been our last game, but it will definitely not be the end of the friendships and memories forged on the turf.  I am so thankful I was able to be a part of this team and play in one of Hanover field hockey’s most successful seasons!