After a successful week of pre-season training, the varsity field hockey team, composed of a strong group of girls, took on some challenging opponents in the early part of the season, losing to Miss Porter’s, Choate, Canterbury, and Williston Northampton.
After losing many starting seniors from last year’s team, the field hockey team has risen to the occasion and has not let this stop them from playing their best, stepping up into new positions, and new leadership roles. Head Coach Chapin Yates is such a role model for the girls and continues to inspire the girls to work hard and know that they can do what you set their minds to.
On Wednesday, Sept. 14, the team had their first competition against Miss Porter’s with an unfortunate loss of 7-0. However, despite this loss, many lessons were learned as the team focused on new areas of improvement. On Monday, Sept. 19, the team competed against Choate and again lost with a score of 7-0, but the Wyverns did improve and played much better than in the first game. On Wednesday, Sept. 21, the team took on Canterbury School, and while the outcome was not in KO’s favor with a score of 5-0, there were a lot of improvements seen throughout this game. The girls played with grace and grit through tough competition. On Friday, Sept. 23, the team faced off against Williston Northampton and even though the score of 7-0 wasn’t in KO’s favor, the Wyverns played strong and never gave up throughout the entirety of the game.
Coach Yates said she loves having the opportunity to coach. “I enjoy coaching because I believe I am making an impact on these girls and teaching them qualities they can carry with them wherever they go,” Coach Yates said. On and off the field, it is clear that both Coach Yates and Assistant Coach Nicole Baratz are helping these girls succeed. Despite some tough opponents that the team has faced, the field hockey team continues to fight through these challenges. “My favorite part about the KO field hockey team is the girls’ positive attitudes and willingness to compete hard against tough opponents and play with pride,” Coach Yates said.
Freshman forward Kate Dempsey-Weiner loves being part of the team given the supportive environment. “I love how supportive the team is and that they make me feel comfortable enough to try new things,” Dempsey-Weiner said. “Even when I make a mistake, they assure me that it is okay to mess up and I can try again.” As an athlete who is new to KO, she said that some of her goals for the season are to bond with the girls and adapt to high school sports with their higher intensity and more frequent practices. In addition, Dempsey-Weiner is so grateful for the coaches. “Coach Yates and Coach Baratz have been super supportive and helpful,” she said. “Anyone looking for a fall sport next year should field hockey.”
Senior Captain midfielder Allegra Kotowitz is looking forward to making the most out of her last field hockey season with new and returning players. “My goal for the season is to lead and support the KO field hockey team to work towards growth, success, and strong teamwork,” Kotowitz said. Her favorite part about the team is the camaraderie that is built as the season progresses, not only between teammates but with the coaches as well.
Coach Yates’ goal this season is to build a supportive and strong team centered around positivity, a strong work ethic, and good energy on and off the field. “I am looking forward to seeing great improvement in everyone’s stick skills, confidence, and overall field hockey knowledge,” Coach Yates said.
With lessons learned, perseverance proved, and growth gained, the girl’s varsity field hockey team has laid the groundwork for a memorable and successful 2022 season.
