‘Richmond field hockey family’ on display as Trinity Episcopal wins nail-biter over Collegiate

In the most recent VISAA ballot launched on Monday, Trinity (11-2) is the No. 1 group in Division I with 59 votes, adopted via Norfolk Academy in 2d with 53 votes and Collegiate (7-2) in 3rd with 50.

The Titans and Cougars are intertwined techniques, stated avid gamers and coaches on each side. Relationships amongst membership teammates and acquainted adversaries return to youth, and there have been a lot of smiles and hugs to move round within the postgame handshake line. 

“They have weapons all over the field, they’ve always been well-coached, it’s a traditionally strong program with a history of strong field hockey teams,” stated Twenty fourth-year Titans trainer Margie Snead of Collegiate. 

“It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is or what field it’s on, they’re going to play their A-game and make you play your best to come out with a win.”

First-year Cougars trainer Kelsey Smither, who within the offseason succeeded longtime Collegiate trainer and athletic director Karen Doxey, echoed her counterpart when requested in regards to the importance of the matchup. 

“All of the kids play for a lot of the same clubs, they train together, they know each other and are familiar with how each other plays,” Smither stated.

“It was a really even, fun, competitive game. … They capitalized on their opportunities, and that was the difference.”

The Cougars were given an early lead somewhat greater than 2 mins into the primary era when Izzy Lee scored on a nook. But Trinity did not take lengthy to respond to, leveling the rating at 1-1 about 6 mins later when Ava Benson deflected Ella Shirey’s shot into the cage.

Snead stated the entire issues her crew had centered on all over the week — ball motion, growing area with off-ball movement and receiving the ball actively — culminated in Benson’s purpose. 

“We were really proud of the them,” stated a smiling Snead of her crew. 

Nearly 3 complete sessions of back-and-forth motion wherein neither aspect established actual keep watch over ensued, sooner than Schmincke were given lose on a breakaway, dribbled previous an onrushing Cougars keeper, and slotted house her shot sooner than turning to have fun together with her teammates. 

“As soon as I saw there was one girl in front of goal I was like ‘This is it, this has to be the goal.’ Honestly, whenever I score like that I kind of black out,” stated a guffawing Schmincke.

“I just know to stay composed, keep it simple and don’t overthink it. That’s what I did and I was able to get the goal.”

Snead stated her team of workers made the verdict overdue to transport Schmincke from the midfield to the ahead line, and it paid dividends. 

“Her speed and her desire to find the cage with the ball is unmatched,” Snead stated of Schmincke.

The Titans repeatedly marked Rogers, making an attempt their utmost to permit her minimum time on the ball. Trinity junior Darcy Kopsinis stated the start of the sport used to be an “emotional rush” sooner than her aspect settled in, and that Schmincke’s winner used to be indicative of ways her Titans love to play. 

“We pressured high together, we were working together, and Olivia got that touch and right away everyone was jumping all over the place to support her,” Kopsinis stated. “It shows how much of a team and how supportive we are.”

Collegiate had its justifiable share of ownership and possibilities, however used to be persistently thwarted within the ultimate segment of assault via a stalwart Titans protection led via vocal senior keeper Valentina Ambrogi-Torres.

Snead added that defender Anna Riesser, only a freshman, confirmed “unbelievable” poise on a handful of Collegiate’s breakaway alternatives.

Trinity stonewalled a pair overdue Cougars penalty alternatives to protected the victory as the few hundred lovers in attendance roared their popularity of a well-fought tussle between two of the world’s elite techniques. 

“A lot of us have known each other since were too young to remember,” Ambrogi-Torres stated of the Collegiate-Trinity matchup. 

“We all are intertwined, it really is one hockey family and playing against them is for me a time to grow, we’re all here to make each other better, I just want the best for all of us and a great game.”

Trinity Episcopal 1 0 0 1 – 2

Goals – COL: Izzy Lee; TES: Ava Benson, Olivia Schmincke