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Varsity Field Hockey: A Season in Review
At the beginning of the 2015 fall sports season, the St. Luke’s varsity field hockey team began its quest to rebuild a program that had not seen the levels of success it had hoped for in previous years. Under the tutelage of coaches Brinley Ehlers and Anna Knechtel the members of the team were introduced to a simple, but powerful philosophy: heart and hustle.
According to Ehlers, “everyone unequivocally committed themselves to the philosophy.” The results reflected her assertion. At the beginning of the season, the members of the team put a great deal of effort into conditioning themselves, both mentally and physically, for a grueling fifteen game season. “The girls worked really hard to get in shape. They showed dramatic improvement in all aspects by the last game of the season. It was clear to everybody–coaches, parents, students–how much the team improved.”
The Storm finished 4-11 on the season. While on paper that might not seem impressive, Ehlers said that the season was, in her words, “a true success.” The big difference this season was the level of confidence the players brought to the field every single game. Ehlers stated, “The girls considered every game winnable.” The team had close games against traditionally tough opponents. The Storm fell 3-1 to a normally dominant Rye Country Day School squad, and 2-1 against Greens Farms Academy. Ehlers also noted the team’s victory over longtime rival King as one of the highlights of the season.
Ehlers sees the field hockey team’s 2015 season as a triumph . A new program this year brought varsity players in contact with the middle school teams, which, in Ehlers’ estimation, “was one of the best things we did.” The varsity players acted as role models for the up and coming middle school players, both in terms of field hockey and, more importantly, in terms of working hard.
Win, lose, or draw, the team remained confident, optimistic, and united. Every girl on the team pushed herself to become a stronger player. It is no wonder that everyone connected to the field hockey program saw this season as a resounding success.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
