Sydney Garvin and Rachel Saxton
Staff Writers
The New Hope-Solebury Girls Field Hockey Team, whose starting lineup consists of only three seniors and the rest underclassmen, have proven their small but mighty mentality with nine shutout wins.
Under the coaching of Gwen Smith, the Lions team has a total of 76 goals throughout their nine game season so far. With a roster of four seniors, eight sophomores, and 11 freshmen, the girls went into the season uncertainly.
“With losing the people we did last year, it was obvious that the team dynamic would be different. But honestly, the freshman and sophomores have exceeded expectations,” senior captain Claudia Koeppen stated.
It is always intimidating as a freshman starting preseason, but the Field Hockey team makes sure that no one feels less than others.
“It’s a lot of fun because you don’t feel any different from everyone else. The older girls don’t treat you any differently and are very supportive. I also think that no matter what grade you’re in you are a part of the team,” stated freshman Erin Firth, who earned a starting spot on defense.
The Lions team was voted game of the week against Christopher Dock, who has been the team’s Bicentennial Athletic League rivalry for years by Philafieldhockey, whose website is used to promote collegiate, high school, middle school, youth, and club field hockey in the greater Philadelphia area. The two teams shared the BAL title in 2014 and Dock surpassed NHS during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The girls were ready to reclaim their title this year. With an 8-0 win, the Lions conquered their mission and received their well-deserved headline.
The Lions also proceeded to win the PhilaFH team of the week out of over one hundred teams in the high school and collegiate level.
“You’ve got to take every day, day by day and every game, game by game. That’s why you compete. Any team on any given day can beat you. That’s how I see it and that’s how I prepare my team,” said Coach Gwen Smith according to the PhilaFH article.
The Lady Lions have seen everyone in their league once and are excited to play them in round two in order to hang their BAL Championship banner in the school gym.
