“There has been some drama and some fights in the past, but we’re over that,” said senior Erin Bridge, a co-captain of the varsity field hockey team. “We want to be a united team.”
Head coach Brittany Stevens has seen the unspoken communication that accompanies the team’s unity on the field.
“Players know what their teammates are thinking,” said Stevens.
Stevens added that the entire team can adjust to a player performing below par on any particular day.
Stevens said she saw some of the best playing all season during a game against Walpole, despite the score.
Students in Stevens’ business classes at the school have taunted the field hockey team, but Stevens has been undeterred.
“We work hard and we deserve what we work for,” Bridge said, responding to past unsuccessful records.
In fact, the team experienced cuts for the first time this year, Stevens said.
“It’s a competitive fall sport,” said Stevens, who believes the students play to gain experience.
This vibe is spreading throughout the hallways, and Bridge says more fans are going to games. For some, a reason to catch a field hockey game this season is to see senior Austin Lang in a skirt.
“Because I’m a guy, there are more guys who are interested in how the team is doing and actually show up to the game,” Lang said.
But it’s not only the guys who come to watch Lang play. Larger crowds from the community have attended games as the field hockey team’s reputation improves.
“Obviously, the field hockey team hasn’t gotten the support or the respect that it deserved in the past few years, but I think this year it’s a little different,” said Lang. “The team has a lot of talent and chemistry and that’s been showing up as of late. We have always been a good team, but we just started to play to our potential.”
Speaking as a male and as a new member of the varsity field hockey team, Lang said he immediately felt like part of the team.
“It feels like everybody is comfortable with each other,” said Lang, “and I can honestly say that it felt like that on day one of preseason.”
“Austin is a very popular kid,” said Stevens. “Many of my students ask about him.”
Although field hockey is traditionally male, according to Stevens, the lack of a boys field hockey team at the school permitted Lang’s eligibility.
“I don’t know why he’s on the team. Maybe he lost a bet,” said Stevens with a laugh. “But he’s a great kid with an open mind.”
“The girls treat me the same as they treat everyone else,” said Lang, who hoped that he was not a hindrance to the team’s bonding. “I think they’re just as comfortable with me as they are with each other.”
The only fault Bridge could find was with the team’s spirit.
“Since the rest of us are girls, we want to be princesses or something like that for team spirit, but I doubt Austin would do it,” said Bridge.
Sabina Lee can be contacted at [email protected]
