Nobles Varsity Field Hockey lost 3-1 against Rivers on Wednesday.
With both teams going into the game with 10 wins and the ISL title on the line, the girls were guaranteed an intense match.
“Any game can be your last game as a senior and [your] last time playing field hockey, so it’s really important to keep in mind how much this means to you, no matter what,” forward Bea Trinque (Class I) said.
From chanting on the bus to singing in the locker room and finally working on the field, the team’s energy was electric. The uplifting and devoted team culture illustrated the girls’ dedication before the game even started.
“Family” was the way left midfielder Kirby Smink (Class III) described the energetic dynamic of Nobles’ field hockey.
The team’s strategy entailed this composure. “Staying calm, cool, composed, and just playing Nobles field hockey [is how we play].” Captain Maddie Jaeger said.
Captain Addy Keaveney (Class I) described the magnitude of this game: “These girls have worked really hard, and we’re really excited to show it all on the field,” Keaveney said.
Despite Rivers scoring in the first 10 minutes of the game, Nobles held this sentiment: the team stayed focused and constantly adjusted to find its flow on the turf. The group’s communication was commendable, resetting after every play, remaining unified and unwavering.
“No matter what happens, maybe we’ll make some adjustments here and there, but this is our game,” Jaeger said.
Nobles’ rocky patch was disrupted by their steadfast offensive line, with Trinque securing a corner play for the team.
Although the play didn’t result in any points, Nobles’ perseverance set the tone for the rest of the game. The team pressured their opponents, keeping the match near Rivers’s goal for almost the entire first half.
Trinque and Keaveney racked up corner plays as the first half came to an end, yet the team struggled to secure a lead. Still down at the half, the team reconvened and redirected the game by employing more aggressive play.
Nobles adapted to Rivers’s strategy, working the ball in and out of diagonal plays, opening up the goal for Trinque to score with 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, putting Nobles back into the game.
Despite giving it their all, Rivers slipped past Nobles’s defense and scored another goal in the 3rd quarter, bringing the score to 2-1.
“We can’t change the score today, so let’s focus on getting our reps in,” Jaeger said. The team maintained a high pace and continued to put everything on the line.
With tensions running high in the 4th quarter, Rivers notched another goal. Nobles kept pushing forward, maintaining persistence in their play. Although the team displayed remarkable perseverance and dedication, the Dawgs fell with a final score of 3-1.
Nobles remains hopeful in joining Rivers as ISL titleholders going into Nobles-Milton weekend. “We’re going to learn from the game and bring our best on Saturday,” Keaveney said.
