Four games into the season, the field hockey team has won all of their games against other teams in the Central Connecticut Conference (CCC). The team is led by seven seniors and head coach Sadie Robinson and hope to continue their winning streak moving forward in the fall season. 

The team started their season on September 9 at home against Newington. The River Hawks were able to score against the opposing goalie for a 6-0 win with a goal from a penalty stroke contributed by senior captain Sonali Patel, goals from senior captains Delaney Dopp and Rachel Wolkoff, and a three goal “hat trick” from junior Jen Austin playing center forward. 

“I wouldn’t have been able to score without the movement throughout the entire field, especially the midfield. Their hard work makes my job as a forward so much easier. Being a part of this team has made me value all positions on the field,” Austin said. 

The next week, on September 14, the team traveled to Avon High School to face the Falcons, having to play a stronger defensive game than they did against Newington, but still finished the game with a 1-0 win. The goal was scored by Austin, assisted by Patel on a penalty corner. This was only the second time that the River Hawks beat the Falcons in the past six games between the two schools.  

On September 15, the River Hawks played E.O. Smith at home after beating Avon the day before. As COVID-19 restrictions lift, the athletic department is now allowing spectators to all sporting events, so the girls played with the support of their peers, the student section named “the flock”. The team won 5-0 with goals scored by Austin, Dopp, and Patel. 

For their first game of the season on a grass field instead of turf, the team played against Northwest Catholic on September 20. Two goals were scored by Austin and Dopp for a 2-0 victory, marking 25 percent completion of the 2021 season. 

Not only has the team won all four of their games, they have also not let in a single goal from any of the four teams they faced. The defensive starting lineup consists of senior captain Gabby Gorman and sophomores Abby Occhino and Thea Fleury, working together to defend the cage protected by goalkeeper junior Lauren Frank. Frank has started all four games and has a clean sheet for all of them. 

“The whole Farmington River Hawks Field Hockey team, players and coaches included, has worked extremely hard in preparation for this season and that has remained a constant throughout the start of their competition season. The energy and excitement surrounding the program is contagious and the buzz around the school and town,” athletic director Matthew Martorelli said.

According to the Patch, a panel of Connecticut field hockey coaches declared their first top ten poll of the season, with Farmington ranking fourth among all of the teams in the state. The team faces Canton tomorrow, September 22, at home on the turf. Looking ahead, the team will host Hall on September 28 and travel to Southington on September 30.