Tag

field Hockey

Browsing

Hamptons Teen :The Future is bright for the Lady Whalers Field Hockey Team
The Pierson-Bridgehampton Lady Whalers were defeated on Saturday, November 14, 2015 by the Cazenovia Lakers. The 2-1 score was indicative of the tightly contested game; only finally settled in the second half. Cazenovia scored their first goal after a penalty stroke was awarded to the Lakers due to an infraction of the rules by a Lady Whaler. The penalty shot just escaped the outstretched leg of the goalie, Freshman Charlotte Johnson and the goal was scored by Cazenovia player, Zoe Shephard. 1-0, Cazenovia.

Penalty stroke goal defended by Whaler goalie Charlotte Johnson #89
Penalty stroke goal defended by Whaler goalie Charlotte Johnson #89

The Whalers came back to tie the score 1-1 at 23:50, at the beginning of the second half on a goal by Sophomore, Claudia Patterson. This was Patterson’s first career goal and it couldn’t have come at a better time. There was a very physical scrum in the goal area but Patterson successfully scored.
Pierson-Bridghampton score goal by Claudia Patterson #13 (1st career goal)
Pierson-Bridghampton score goal by Claudia Patterson #13 (1st career goal)

Cazenovia showed their championship pedigree by forcing the Whalers into multiple corner penalties in the first half. The Whalers successfully defended these corners and some credit must be given to Junior, Allura Leggard for disrupting the corner offensive sets of the Lakers by flying out with impressive speed. The Whalers played excellent team defense preventing goal after goal as the Lakers applied constant offensive pressure.
Pierson/BH Team
Pierson/BH Team

The Whaler’s however, have a championship pedigree too and Junior, Ana Sherwood was incredible, showing her grit, determination and skill by moving the ball up the field against a determined Cazenovia defense. Sherwood attempted some shots on goal but the Cazenovia defenders were determined to prevent any uncontested shots. Sherwood and Leggard are Captains and they lead their team by example. Not to be outdone, Senior, Kerrie Vila, the third Whaler Captain was fantastic in defense from the sweeper position. She incredibly defended a shot headed toward the goal that was shot from the right side at a difficult angle. This kept the second half score tied going into the final 7 minutes of the game. Vila was a very active defender in what would turn out to be her final game as a Whaler.
Annabelle Schroeder #23, Hollie Schleicher #7, Kerrie Vila #3
Annabelle Schroeder #23, Hollie Schleicher #7, Kerrie Vila #3

Goalie, Charlotte Johnson was at it again, giving her body up defending the goal. She showed no hesitation to dive at shots making save after save. Unfortunately the Whaler’s season would be determined by a goal by Cazenovia Laker, Zoe Shephard with 7:10 seconds left in the second half. The whalers appeared stunned for a moment but they quickly regrouped and for the remainder of the game, applied constant pressure on Cazenovia setting up some shots on goal by Freshman, Hollie Schleicher, Sherwood and Junior Calista Cafiero until the final second.
Allura Leggard #6, on defense
Allura Leggard #6, on defense

The Whalers were emotional but proud in defeat. This is a very young team with only one Senior starter graduating; so the future is bright. First year, Head coach, Bethany Semlear is looking forward to next year’s championship campaign.
Ana Sherwood #14, on offense
Ana Sherwood #14, on offense

- NYSPHSAA Field Hockey Class “C” Semi-FINALIST Plaque.   Bethany Semlear, Head Coach,  CAPTAINS(3)  Kerrie Vila #3, Ana Sherwood #14, Allura Leggard #6, Kayla Yardley, Assistant Coach
– NYSPHSAA Field Hockey Class “C” Semi-FINALIST Plaque.
Bethany Semlear, Head Coach, CAPTAINS(3) Kerrie Vila #3, Ana Sherwood #14, Allura Leggard #6, Kayla Yardley, Assistant Coach

11205485_10207013970762192_1112353023985787480_n
WEBSITE LINK:
https://www.photographybykurt.net/Sports/Field-Hockey/NYSPHSAA-Championship-Semi/

Sag Harbor, NY: Pierson/Bridgehampton Varsity Field Hockey Team the NYS Class C 2013 Champions…More than Just a Game To Me

KHL_5281Medals1
Lady Whalers, 2013 NYS Field Hockey Class C Champions

There are many significant moments we live in our lives that we remember. Our 16th birthday party, our first kiss, the birth of a child, the death of a parent…. a championship game. Our children don’t know it yet because they don’t have the benefit of hindsight but this championship game will be with them for the rest of their lives. For some, it will help to define them as winners. For others it will show them what can be accomplished with hard work and teamwork. Both good lessons that will further their individual pursuits, as they get older.

My take is somewhat different. To me, there is NOTHING as good as team sports. Seeing your teammates in their team sports uniforms invokes such a feeling of unity. If your child is interested and you have the time (what a novel idea) please encourage them to join a sports team. The lessons learned are endless. The inside jokes, the special nod of a head, the telepathy, the bonding of lifelong friendships. These are the things that will move forward, the things that will last. Who knows where it will take them in the future, maybe onto a professional career themselves in hockey, football, rugby, etc. and you’ll be buying their merchandise online, whether that be the carlton merchandise or the Adelaide crows merchandise, who knows what will happen but getting them started is giving them something to think about.

Lady Whalers 2013
Katherine Matthers, Allura Leggard, India Hemby, Samatha Duchemin, Kasey Gilbride

We often celebrate the captain of the team and the star players. We see them with the ball, in their hand, the bat, the ‘SPEAR’ in their hands and admire their ability to rise above the moment and seize the opportunity to make the big play and win the game. We are in awe of the great coaching and understand that we don’t always know as spectators what is best for the team. The Lady Whalers are blessed to have a few really good players and some great players and it showed on Saturday and Sunday night, November 16th and 17th 2013. We marvel at their resolve.

NHB_7185
photo credit: Kurt H. Leggard

I want to talk about the team. What we don’t see are the countless hours of practice and rehearsal that goes into making the big play. The repetition, the struggle the ‘bench players’ that push the stars to greatness. I was so excited to watch the young ladies overcome the bad calls, the physical play of very worthy opponents to win but it doesn’t occur without the winning DNA that this TEAM has within their collective body. I am excited for our seniors, for their grit and determination and magnificent play. But they learned it somewhere. Three years ago as many of you know well, Pierson lost an opportunity for a championship to this very same team in a double overtime thriller. This current victory was forged through that loss. The team alumni that lost that game came out to watch and cheer the current team on. Some of today’s stars were on the bench when Pierson lost in 2010.

NHB_7382-1
Photo credit: Kurt H. Leggard

So I say to everyone, look to the end of the bench and peer into the future. We cannot tell who will be the next star to rise to the occasion to carry the team to victory. What we do know is this. The character of this team was revealed through the struggle. It isn’t what you do when things are going well that says who you are, its how you respond when things go their worst that determines who you are and what you will be. The DNA of the Lady Whalers Field Hockey team is filled with pride, strength, skill, determination, grit and excellence. This DNA runs deep and I am very hopeful for the future. Get your kids to join a team and let their winning DNA improve the fortunes of that team! Go Whalers!

NHB_7392
photo credit: Kurt H. Leggard
Congratulations: Coach: Shannon Judge, Asst. Coach: Melissa Edwards, Kaitlin Daniels &
Elizabeth Marchisella
Team: Kasey Gilbride, Katherine Matthers, Emmeline Luck, Kirra Mcgowin,
Emma Romeo, India Hemby, Rachael Miller, Phiona Vall, Samantha Duchemin, Erica Selyukova, Kerrie Vila, Cassandra Spencer, Sheila Mackey, Ana Sherwood, Calista Cafiero. Allura Leggard, Hollie Schleicher
for more images on their amazing journey to the State Finals..check out Photography By Kurt
https://www.photographybykurt.net/Sports/Field-Hockey

Check out the Winning Goal and Goalie’s cartwheel….So very funny!