The Uxbridge field hockey staff had the proverbial dream season closing 12 months, successful the Division 4 state championship and completing the autumn undefeated.
The Spartans commenced play this 12 months with the time-honored, “let’s do it again” manner. With the season’s stretch force upcoming, it sounds as if that Uxbridge, as evidenced through its 15-0 document to start out this week, plans on sticking to that mindset.
The Spartans were specifically ambitious in October, with a signature 3-2 win coming over Division 1 powerhouse Doherty. The Highlanders entered that sport undefeated and saved issues shut right through. Freshman Kendall Gilmore drilled the successful objective, with freshman ahead/midfielder Julianna Casucci aiding. Gilmore, a ahead, completed with two targets.
Sophomore ahead Elyse Bouchard added a objective for the victors, assisted through freshman midfielder/defender Amelia Blood. Prior to the Doherty sport, Uxbridge, No. 1 within the Division 4 energy ratings, had outscored its combatants, 81-4.
The Spartans have adopted the victory over the Highlanders with shutout wins over Hopedale, Holliston, Auburn and Northbridge.
“The Doherty game was a big one for us, and we pulled it out,” mentioned senior captain Morgan Ouellette, a defender. “It was a competitive game, and Doherty was very strong. We had to make a lot of adjustments. Since then, we’ve just moved on, continuing to work and play hard.”
“Our players come to play, they compete, and they bring a high-level skill set, mixed with athleticism and hustle, at practice and games,” trainer Kelly Rosborough mentioned. “It’s amazing to see so many players complement the offense, and goals have been scored by 13 different team members throughout the season. The team defense has come together to only allow six goals this season, so far, but we still have some more work to do in this area.
“There is worth within the gamers’ enter right through apply and video games, and figuring out techniques to unravel demanding situations combatants have introduced,” Rosborough added. “They are repeatedly figuring out what they’re doing and techniques they are able to reinforce as a staff. It’s a procedure to stay staff mentality the focal point, and now not give in to person standing. As a staff, we’re in this adventure in combination. Each day is a chance to develop as a staff participant and individual.”
Uxbridge has a fine mix of talent in its lineup with 7 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores, 4 freshmen and 3 eighth graders. The current senior class was Rosborough’s first eighth grade class at Uxbridge. No matter what the class, however, everyone contributes when they hit the field. And, befitting a strong squad, the chemistry and support factors always kick in.
“The chemistry is there, and all of us get alongside and we are tremendous supportive of one another, and these items are essential in field hockey,” said senior captain Meghan Smith, a forward/midfielder. “We additionally know each and every different smartly, and this comprises understanding each and every different’s limits. Because of this, we will in reality push each and every different to be the most efficient that we will be at the field and create essentially the most good fortune for our staff.”
Smith, a fifth-year varsity player who will be continuing her field hockey career at St. Anselm College next fall, noted that field hockey at Uxbridge is not a three-month deal. The athletes keep active in the sport as much as possible during the offseason.
This includes participation in clinics and clubs and summer league. Summer activities are huge. The Spartans competed in a Franklin-based summer league and also attended an Elite Field Hockey overnight camp, as a team, at Bentley University. These two activities are annual events.
“A large number of what we do in offseason, we do as a staff, and that is helping us get in a position for the season,” Smith said. “It provides us the risk to reinforce in each staff talents and person talents.”
Smith admits that a commitment to improve in the offseason has helped Uxbridge basically pick up where it left off from the year before.
“We have an overly sturdy offensive team and after we get within the circle, we are getting pictures off in an instant,” Smith said. “We’re excellent at growing pictures, whether or not its corners or making the opposite staff foul to get extra possibilities. And then, when the opposite staff comes right down to our circle, the protection is at all times there for us. Shut them out and get the ball out of our territory.”
Anchoring the backline of the Spartan’s dominating defense is freshman goalie Julia Okenquist, a talented athlete who played and contributed on last year’s championship squad. Smith noted that Okenquist has worked hard and improved, and also brought great energy to the field.
“Our protection has been nice, however we need to stay running on that, and likewise reinforce our talents,” Ouellette said. “We’re repeatedly running on our chemistry. By speaking and getting alongside, we will inform each and every different if there’s something that must be progressed. This can occur right through a sport between quarters or at a staff serve as.”
Ouellette added that it is important to make the younger players feel comfortable. Uxbridge brought in three eighth graders this year, and Ouellette and the other upperclassmen have gone to great lengths to help them adjust to their new field hockey environment.
“I like field hockey and I need the opposite gamers to revel in it,” Ouellette added. “The sure power in reality flows in this staff. We’re successful and having a laugh.”
Other contributors include seniors Abigail Sanches, Grace Orr, Lily Brayman, Gianna Noyes and Madison Tousignant; juniors Ella Pezzullo, Samantha Jones and Tessa Johnston; sophomores Natalie Orr and Bailey Dzivasen; and eighth graders Addie Blood, Aubrey Bouchard and Brooklyn Kaferlein.
Uxbridge won its first state championship last year and this season faces the challenge to repeat. Teams want to knock off the state champs, jump-starting the Spartans’ motivation.
Smith indicated that the desire to repeat, with most of the squad being veterans, has been fun. Teams may be out to slow the Uxbridge onslaught, but the Spartans basically go out on the field and do their thing.
Bingham making stops for St. Bernard’s
Congratulations to St. Bernard’s goalie Gianna Bingham on an outstanding season. A highlight came against Notre Dame Academy recently when she notched her 500th career save.
The Bernardians played St. Paul the next day and lost a close contest, 1-0. Bingham had another big effort and upped her career save total to 545.
—Contact Craig Holt at sports activities@telegram.com.